Costco Interstate Batteries

[augiedoggy]

Originally Posted by Trenks

I’m gonna guess the Costco Interstate battery is a lower quality. Just my thoughts at this point.

It might be, or like the walmart batteries it could just be a higher end battery thats been rebranded and sold at a lower price point vs another assembly line for a different battery which is often more cost than its worth.
Some of the store specific stuff has lower specs and sometimes the manufacturers still build the same stuff unless its a considerable saving to them to do otherwise.

[Volt_Ampere]

Most Costco stuff seems to be high quality rebranded from major manufacturers. I have no experience with their golf cart batteries though. I did buy their golf club wedges set and they are great - probably made by Callaway if I had to guess.

[jasonojordan]

Originally Posted by Volt_Ampere

Most Costco stuff seems to be high quality rebranded from major manufacturers. I have no experience with their golf cart batteries though. I did buy their golf club wedges set and they are great - probably made by Callaway if I had to guess.

I can attest to the fact the Kirkland brand whiskey that comes in a crown royal esk bottle is also quite good for a store brand lol

[augiedoggy]

I can also tell you the craft beers that trader joes sells are actually relabeled craft beers that typically sell for more as well.

[Csimpler]

I inquired a month ago about the Costco batteries. They had two in stock and did not expect anymore any time soon. Checked 3 stores near enough to drive to. Decided to buy from a local family owned battery supplier. US Batteries red case $169 each
Very fresh manufactured in November.

[CP241]

Originally Posted by augiedoggy

It might be, or like the walmart batteries it could just be a higher end battery thats been rebranded and sold at a lower price point vs another assembly line for a different battery which is often more cost than its worth.
Some of the store specific stuff has lower specs and sometimes the manufacturers still build the same stuff unless its a considerable saving to them to do otherwise.

I’ve watched the guy in the interstate battery truck delivering batteries. They’re all black and unlabeled in the truck (aside from the group/size label). They put on the Toyota “true start” or “true 2” labels depending how many batteries we orders of which type. Exact same battery only difference was the higher end battery carried a bit longer warranty. That is the big price difference. They also had rolls of duralast, die hard, and other labels as well for when they delivered to sears and other stores. Again the cost of different brands of their batteries basically reflected different lengths of warranty that come with that battery.

I don’t think the Costco interstates are any different than the interstate batteries you’d get anywhere else.

[augiedoggy]

Originally Posted by CP241

I’ve watched the guy in the interstate battery truck delivering batteries. They’re all black and unlabeled in the truck (aside from the group/size label). They put on the Toyota “true start” or “true 2” labels depending how many batteries we orders of which type. Exact same battery only difference was the higher end battery carried a bit longer warranty. That is the big price difference. They also had rolls of duralast, die hard, and other labels as well for when they delivered to sears and other stores. Again the cost of different brands of their batteries basically reflected different lengths of warranty that come with that battery.

I don’t think the Costco interstates are any different than the interstate batteries you’d get anywhere else.

I completely agree. That coicides with what the interstate guy told me years ago... its cheaper to sell the same product as different products in some cases than actually make a larger variety of products. (Same thing happens with electronics btw with software or case changes)
Its another case where you dont necessarily "get what you pay for" You get the same product regardless only a better exchange policy if it fails. Its more often the same scenerio when buying many things now. Where you get them and how much you pay is about support, return policy and perception, not necessarily better quality.. Even some vehicles are sold this way now. For example do you want the original Korean branded compact car or the ford or chevy version with the soapbox status that you bought american? Sure its 35% more money .. But its Better? Because its "made by?" a "brand" you can trust?

[jasonojordan]

Originally Posted by augiedoggy

I completely agree. That coicides with what the interstate guy told me years ago... its cheaper to sell the same product as different products in some cases than actually make a larger variety of products. (Same thing happens with electronics btw with software or case changes)
Its another case where you dont necessarily "get what you pay for" You get the same product regardless only a better exchange policy if it fails. Its more often the same scenerio when buying many things now. Where you get them and how much you pay is about support, return policy and perception, not necessarily better quality.. Even some vehicles are sold this way now. For example do you want the original Korean branded compact car or the ford or chevy version with the soapbox status that you bought american? Sure its 35% more money .. But its Better? Because its a "brand" you can trust?

Same story with washer fluid made by the company I used to work for. Same formula. Different label. Walmart brand was sold for $1.50gal less then the name brand.

[Trenks]

Originally Posted by CP241

I’ve watched the guy in the interstate battery truck delivering batteries. They’re all black and unlabeled in the truck (aside from the group/size label). They put on the Toyota “true start” or “true 2” labels depending how many batteries we orders of which type. Exact same battery only difference was the higher end battery carried a bit longer warranty. That is the big price difference. They also had rolls of duralast, die hard, and other labels as well for when they delivered to sears and other stores. Again the cost of different brands of their batteries basically reflected different lengths of warranty that come with that battery.

I don’t think the Costco interstates are any different than the interstate batteries you’d get anywhere else.

This was a concern of mine, it appears the good Interstate batteries have Green bodies which prompted my question.

[Trenks]

Originally Posted by Csimpler

I inquired a month ago about the Costco batteries. They had two in stock and did not expect anymore any time soon. Checked 3 stores near enough to drive to. Decided to buy from a local family owned battery supplier. US Batteries red case $169 each
Very fresh manufactured in November.

240.00 difference. I guess in the grand scheme of things, it may be worth it to some folks.