Interstate Battery Update
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Macomb MI
Interstate Battery Update
As I reported last Saturday, I dropped off my 7 month old Interstate Battery at a local dealer, where I was told they couldn't do anything about it until Monday. On Monday, I received a call from Interstate in Dallas saying they were going to pick up the battery to have it shipped from suburban Detroit to Dallas to have it inspected in their warehouse. So now I wait. My 91 Coupe has been without the battery for 10 days.
Isn't this fun.
Jim
Isn't this fun.
Jim
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Not fun. Mine is still out of the car on a nice warm trickle charger. Think we can hit the road here in the Great Lakes State in a couple of weeks?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Put your foot down
That's crap. Tell them to swap it right now or else you're gonna tell on 'em !
They have enough batteries to at least LEND you one while they flub the return processing, don't they?
The squeaking wheel gets the grease.....
They have enough batteries to at least LEND you one while they flub the return processing, don't they?
The squeaking wheel gets the grease.....
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
That is just ridiculous. Obviously you don't need the vehicle right now having been without juice for 10 days. On the bright side all your codes are well cleared if there were any.
So if they decide that yes it is defective and provide you with a reimburstment on a pro-rated warranty, are you going to pay the difference and get another Interstate?
Seems to me, a relatively new battery failing should be an immediate replacement to save company reputation. Interstate is a publicly held company, a quick call to the executive level would resolve it in 24 hours, I bet. Assistant to the VP would resolve this.
With my previous experience with Interstate, I would have replaced it with another brand last Saturday and been waiting for a credit from them. Just my 2-cents.
So if they decide that yes it is defective and provide you with a reimburstment on a pro-rated warranty, are you going to pay the difference and get another Interstate?
Seems to me, a relatively new battery failing should be an immediate replacement to save company reputation. Interstate is a publicly held company, a quick call to the executive level would resolve it in 24 hours, I bet. Assistant to the VP would resolve this.
With my previous experience with Interstate, I would have replaced it with another brand last Saturday and been waiting for a credit from them. Just my 2-cents.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
There should be absolutely no reason to have to wait for another battery. The local dealer should have replaced it on the spot. The Interstate Battery website clearly specifies the free replacement period depending on the model of the battery. According to their website. you don't need the original purchase receipt and the purhcase date should be on the battery. If you have their "Mega-Tron bttery, it will have an 18 MONTH free replacement warranty.
This is all
plain and simple. Call Interstate Customer Service at 1-888-772-3600 and tell them what the local dealer is doing. You should have gotten a new battery immediately or at least the next business day.
There is nothing special about a Corvette battery. It's a Group 75 battery and that is a relatively common group so any dealer should have them in stock.
This is all
plain and simple. Call Interstate Customer Service at 1-888-772-3600 and tell them what the local dealer is doing. You should have gotten a new battery immediately or at least the next business day.There is nothing special about a Corvette battery. It's a Group 75 battery and that is a relatively common group so any dealer should have them in stock.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Muncie Indiana
Change brands
I had the same problem with Interstate on a battery that was only 10 months old. Yes I was dealing with Dallas. First they wanted the old battery back. Sorry but dealer kept it. Then they claimed the dealer did not know how to test a battery. Sorry again he has been in business 40 years. Short version I finally got a refund after more than a year of phone calls by me and the dealer. Just the other day I was at the dealer when a salesman for Interstate showed up and wanted to talk to the owner about replacing the brand he was carrying with Interstate. I just could not keep my mouth shut about my expericence and what I thought about their company. After the salesman left with his t--- between his legs I apoligized to my friend the owner for butting into his business. His comment was Right on Man he told me I had not offended him because he was going to tell about his frustration with trying to get a settlement for my battery. 
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, BC
Ouch - I just bought a new battery yesterday. 3 year over the counter replacement guaranteed, and then another 6 years on top of that witha pro-rated warranty, foa total of 9 years coverage. If I take it in for the first 3 years and they test it and it doesn't bounce back to 12.6 after load they replace it right there and then.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
When I bought my 90 it had been in storage for quite some time and the old Interstate battery would'nt hold a charge for long. I took it to a local Firestone dealer in hopes of some sort of pro rate discount. They didn't even check the battery. They just handed me a brand new interstate at no charge. I had no reciept, the battery had no tag in a pouch and the date had been scratched off and it was obviously an older model and they still just handed me a new one free of charge. I was like WOW, THANKS! 
I dont understand why you're getting the run around. I think I would be taking my business elsewhere.
I dont understand why you're getting the run around. I think I would be taking my business elsewhere.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Don't deal with interstate....
Walmart and Sears has great products, prices and guarantees. Walmart will replace your battery on the spot and Sears Diehard Gold is a great replacement. There are probably many more good products out there with good guarantees.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Macomb MI
It has a 75 month warranty. As I posted last week, after calling their 800 number, it took me 2 hours to have someone answer the phone, and all he could offer was the same phone numbers their automated number did. He finally transfered me to the warehouse wher a guy told me the battery would have to be charged at 12.4 volts for 72 hours before Johnson Controls would replace it for them.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Macomb MI
Originally Posted by skateparkdave
When I bought my 90 it had been in storage for quite some time and the old Interstate battery would'nt hold a charge for long. I took it to a local Firestone dealer in hopes of some sort of pro rate discount. They didn't even check the battery. They just handed me a brand new interstate at no charge. I had no reciept, the battery had no tag in a pouch and the date had been scratched off and it was obviously an older model and they still just handed me a new one free of charge. I was like WOW, THANKS!
I dont understand why you're getting the run around. I think I would be taking my business elsewhere.
I dont understand why you're getting the run around. I think I would be taking my business elsewhere.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
From: Copperas Cove TX
I got an Interstate that was in the car 8 months and would not hold a charge, took it to them and they came up witrh all kinds of excuses, mainly it was my car. I had misconnected it and charged it with my battery charger and let it set disconnected for 4 or so days and it was dead. Make a long story short, went to Sears and got a Diehard and it's been great ever-since. By the way I did not buy the Interstate or will I ever Buy an Interstate and that's what I told the Regional Manager when I spoke to him along with a few other things.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
I've always had the weirdest dealings with interstate too. Im glad its not just me. Only thing I have used them for that was kind of handy is buying used batteries off of them for various other projects I had, when it wasnt worth buying a new battery. They always carry a huge stockpile of used, typically O.K. batteries for like $10 each. I even bought some huge 100lb diesel truck batteries for 12 bucks each. Made a killer marine battery 
As much as I hate walmart, it was a great choice one night when my battery went south one late evening, and I pulled into the oil changing stalls there. For $50 for a battery and installation, i figured it was at least worth that if I had to get towed home. And the guys who do the oil changes at walmart get a big kick out of "repairing" a vette.
snoopdan
As much as I hate walmart, it was a great choice one night when my battery went south one late evening, and I pulled into the oil changing stalls there. For $50 for a battery and installation, i figured it was at least worth that if I had to get towed home. And the guys who do the oil changes at walmart get a big kick out of "repairing" a vette.
snoopdan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
Their customer service is reprehensible. I had an Interstate battery that lasted a whopping 8 months. That was the first and last time I ever bought one. I have since purchased Sears' Gold Die-Hard and couldn't be happier. I use them in all my cars and never had one problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Macomb MI
Since I was dead on the Ohio Turnpike, my choices were limited to what the shop had where I was towed. It has convinced me that I will only purchase from Sears, Walmart, Auto Zone, Murray's, etc.
Jim
Jim