6V Battery Sticker Shock at Sam's Club

[JerseyHarold]

We were at Sam's this morning and I swung by the battery rack to look at the Group 1 batteries. I was there about 2 months ago and the price was $31.xx, up from the $29.95 it had been for several years.

Today's price was $41.xx!! That's quite a jump in two months. Any rational reason for it (like lead or acid getting more expensive) or is it just greed?

[captden29]

trucking costs, low demand, the cases are made from petroleum based products,and a variety of other factors such as their insurance premiums, electric bills, labor costs, etc. still, $41 is not a terrible price to pay for a battery.how much was the group 2 as i need a new one for my 54 windsor. dennis

[JerseyHarold]

I didn't see any 6-volt Group 2's there. I've heard that farm supply stores still sell them.

[De Soto Frank]

I have only seen the Group 1 at the Sam's around here (NE Penna)

Last time I bought a brand-new group 2 was in 1988, from Interstate, and I think it cost $60 then.

I bought a group 2 "blemished" from a local battery distributor last fall, for $25. I put it on the trickle-charger for a day or so, to bring the specific gravity back up, and it has started my De Soto reliably since then.

I don't expect a very long life out of it, so I'll be glad for what I get out'n it.

De Soto Frank

[bob_amos]

I own an auto elecrtical and A/C shop in Riverside, Ca. The other day we ordered a group 24F battery. Generally one of the most used in the past, anit cost ME over $51 for it. When you add in my profit it was rediculous. But EVERYTHING is going up. Hell, eggs were recently $1.29 a dozen. This afternoon, $3.45 a dozen. And our great leaders say the economy is fine and there is NO inflation, after removing energy from the equasion. Guess, a battery as well as eggs must be energy items....

[oldmopar]

I few months ago a friend of mine got a 6v battery for his P15 I think it was at Pep Boys he replaced a Sams Champion battery that was in the car when I sold it to him. Not sure of the out put but it had a better cca the the sams battery.

As for my self I think next time I replace a 6V battery I will try one of the optima? gel cells

[Jeff Ivan]

It is possible the cost of lead is up, possibly enviromental concerns to encourage recycling? My own thoughts- last year at the scrapyard they paid me $1 each for old batteries and never weighed them. Just 2 months ago they weighed the 4 batteries I had and paid me almost $10. I am not going thru that many batteries, some were left with me after I installed new ones for people, and some were taken in for people who just had to get rid of them and didn't want acid in the trunk of their car.

[splat1955]

Man....I'm feeling like I got burned at Napa after what you guys got batteries for. I bought one about 3 weeks ago tomorrow, right after my Dodge arrived....I think its a 620 CCA...Napa sales guy told me it was the " commercial " series battery....I don't know how that rates, but I think when I walked out and having traded in my old 6V...I think I was down about $80! I hope that things lasts for a while.

[Normspeed]

I get mine at a local independent shop. He is an interstate dealer but I've had good luck with his plain label batteries. I got a 6V, I forgot what group, for $65 with tax. Seems real strong after nearly 2 yrs. Same shop made up some nice 2/0 battery cables, all 3 cables totalled about $35.

[Shawn F.]

What kind of battery should I get for my 46 Chrysler? I don't know the difference between group 1 and 2 batteries, etc.

[JerseyHarold]

Chryslers take the Group 2 battery. It is physically larger than a Group 1 and has more Cold Cranking Amps to turn over larger engines.

[Young Ed]

Fleet farm just had in the sunday ad 6v batteries for 29.99. Just gotta live in farm country I guess

[Jeff Ivan]

I paid $39.95 + tax for my 6V in May 2005 from a local chain. It is 650 cca, and has a classic look to it. They even carry a supply of MoPar, AC Delco, and Autolite heavy duty decals that they stick on a smoothed out section formed into the battery case on the old car batteries. Just a cool little touch I thought.

[central52]

So, is any reasonably priced 6volt ($30 to $60) battery a good deal compared to the Optima I have heard about being so superior, and really, why? Ed

[Johnny S]

Lead prices have jumped a lot. Lead shot for shotgun reloaders has jumped from $18-20 per #25 bag to $50 per #25 bag and more in just the last year. My Cowboy bullets have doubled in cost the last year.

[Young Ed]

Thats probably so they can make all the batteries for the do-gooders hybrid cars.