New Battery
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 114
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From: Lehigh Valley, Pa
Actually, price is not indicative of performance nor quality. It is ultimately a function of what the market will accept. You are referring to quality perception based on price, which is a great way to lose your money. You are a Marketing dream come true. Its why nobody shops hospitals for cost. The perception is the higher cost the better. Which is laughable. The majority of people have no clue why a product cost what it does.
Two companies making identical products can have completely different price points. Labor, overhead, raw material cost, Marketing and automation affect the price more than the actual product.
I am a Senior Mechanical Engineer who has turned over many products to the Marketing group and dropped my jaw at the prices they are able to get. Why? Because all they have to provide is perception. Lets give it a bright color and charge 50% more.
Unless you have comparison tests, reliability studies and raw input cost data, your use of price as a barometer for performance and quality is questionable if two items have the same specs and different prices (if specs are different, all bets are off).
A friend and I were in a supermarket and she wanted a bottle of water. She grabbed the most expensive one on the shelf. I asked her why, she said "it must be better". Its water...but her reasoning is the default now... But it is your (and her) money to spend...
Two companies making identical products can have completely different price points. Labor, overhead, raw material cost, Marketing and automation affect the price more than the actual product.
I am a Senior Mechanical Engineer who has turned over many products to the Marketing group and dropped my jaw at the prices they are able to get. Why? Because all they have to provide is perception. Lets give it a bright color and charge 50% more.
Unless you have comparison tests, reliability studies and raw input cost data, your use of price as a barometer for performance and quality is questionable if two items have the same specs and different prices (if specs are different, all bets are off).
A friend and I were in a supermarket and she wanted a bottle of water. She grabbed the most expensive one on the shelf. I asked her why, she said "it must be better". Its water...but her reasoning is the default now... But it is your (and her) money to spend...
Very correct! I work for a company that makes the orange programmable construction signs. We have a battery cable that we make it uses 6" of 8 gauge wire and 2 ring terminals. Total production cost is $0.26. We sell them for $56 EACH. I almost went through the roof when I read that the other day. I dont know who comes up with those numbers, but they are ridiculous.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,068
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From: So. Cal.
Amen to that!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,068
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From: So. Cal.
Bdt- I'm curious as to what kind of home tester you have. Some people test with a DVM or something similar and say "it had good voltage, I don't understand why it won't start". I'm not saying that's what you used, that's why I asked. My brother asked me to test the battery in his '05 Camry about a month ago because he'd had to jump it twice in a row. He drove down (about 20 min. drive) and when he shut it off, it wouldn't even click the solenoid. I used my OTC tester on it and it showed 12.76V and 0 CCA's. All the voltage in the world in a battery won't do you any good if you can't get it out! If you only test voltage, that battery was in topped off condition. I have a carbon pile tester that I use sometimes, to confirm what the OTC has shown, but they virtually always agree.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,068
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From: So. Cal.
Yea and I bet that battery struts around proud as a pea**** that it has that compacitor.... and has no idea what to do with it! 
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 162
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From: Wichita KS
Bdt- I'm curious as to what kind of home tester you have. Some people test with a DVM or something similar and say "it had good voltage, I don't understand why it won't start". I'm not saying that's what you used, that's why I asked. My brother asked me to test the battery in his '05 Camry about a month ago because he'd had to jump it twice in a row. He drove down (about 20 min. drive) and when he shut it off, it wouldn't even click the solenoid. I used my OTC tester on it and it showed 12.76V and 0 CCA's. All the voltage in the world in a battery won't do you any good if you can't get it out! If you only test voltage, that battery was in topped off condition. I have a carbon pile tester that I use sometimes, to confirm what the OTC has shown, but they virtually always agree.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Augusta, GA
GT- what test did it pass with flying colors? Fords Midtronics test? That's bogus as a $3. bill. I wish I had a nickel for everyone i've read about who's Motorcraft battery (under warrantee) passed with flying colors, but wouldn't turn the truck over or even hold a charge overnight. Ford gets out of buying a lot of batteries that way. SICK! 
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Augusta, GA
I think you missed a few key points:
2) So you basically have alot of companies private labeling the same battery. Walmart does not make batteries, they resell them a lower price point than other companies. In a few instances they can keep the price low because "you" install the battery and they don't have to have an Auto Shop employee paid to do it.
2) So you basically have alot of companies private labeling the same battery. Walmart does not make batteries, they resell them a lower price point than other companies. In a few instances they can keep the price low because "you" install the battery and they don't have to have an Auto Shop employee paid to do it.
Different folks have different uses. With the way I use my truck, I tend to need more than "just enough to crank the truck". And I like planning for the future instead of having to upgrade later.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: So. Cal.
=GTRider245;3890973]That may be. But from personal expirience with Walmart batteries, and taking them back for a new one WAY before they should be going back, I will not be buying one again.
Agreed 100%. And the 84 month warranty on that Interstate makes me think good things about it. I have yet to see a warranty that comes close to touching it.
Agreed 100%. And the 84 month warranty on that Interstate makes me think good things about it. I have yet to see a warranty that comes close to touching it.
Last edited by code58; Sep 19, 2009 at 04:08 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,068
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From: So. Cal.
I am not sure what specific algorithm it uses to calculate the batteries condition, but the device I am using is a SCHUMACHER ELECTRIC SC-6500A, it has a battery test setting, it somehow is supposed to say what condition the battery is in by giving a numeric percentage. And honestly I have no idea if its accurate at all. I also took the battery to AutoZone and they said it was good. This weekend I plan to look into it a little closer. My dads F150 is a year older than mine and his battery is still running strong 80 on the ticker. I told him it could go any day.
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 18
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From: Myrtle Beach sc
my 05 motorcraft battery showed no signs of needing replacement until I stopped off for cigs one night then put the key in the ignition and heard a loud pop then everything went dead. I bought a auto zone 935 cc amp to replace the 635cc amp Motorcraft had no problems
