Still no contact from Interstate on Day 12. Rest of the story can be found in forum thead below.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1031134

At this point, I would just write off Interstate as a poor company to do business with and just go buy a Sears DieHard or an AC Delco. Then write the Interstate CEO a letter (and include copies to the dealer and the BBB) telling him what was going on and why you are buying a different brand and that you will be telling your friends that Interstate is not a company that appears to want to stand behind its product and they should not consider purchasing an Interstate batery for any application.

At my shop, we sell Interstate batteries and if a customer comes in with a bad battery that's under the warranty, we just toss in a new one and hold the old one for the Interstate guy to pick up. No questions, no hassle.

You have put up with more B.S. from them than anyone should ever have to. It's time to take the gloves off and get nasty.

You need to make some phone calls and learn who's in charge at that company. When you find out who, then find out his boss and so on. Everyone has a boss. You need to get to the top. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. A mouse gets nothing, except maybe stepped on.

You can never get into trouble for speaking the truth. Tell someone in authority at the company that this episode with their company will be made public whether it be through the television news or papers. Inform this person that you will not stand for any more lies and you want immediate results. Companies do not want bad press, especially over something as silly as a battery. I'm not saying what happened to you is silly. I'm saying what they've done is ridiculously silly. It's time to hit them where it hurts.

I agree. I sent them an e-mail with the entire story as well as the two link here in the forum. Thought they might be intrested in what is being said by others.

I also have a friend who works for the Detroit Free Press that has passed on this information to their consumer reporter. They are looking at doing a story.

Lots of gear heads in this area.

Print out a copy of this thread and send it along with a brief scathing letter to the VP in charge of marketing.
They seem to be forgetting that reputation matters. How ever many bucks they may think they save doing this randomly to guys like you, they lost a whole lot more both now and in the long run and this thread proves it.
Hey remember AT&T? They were once on top. Then they got tricky with the scams and billings. There was competition. Now they don't even own any equipment. They are total 'also-rans' in the biz they once commanded........

Jim,
rahter than just empathize with your problem, I decided that you needed some help, so I took the time to send an e-mail to Interstate battery on your behalf.
Perhaps some of our other colleauges will do the same.
If our 1000's of members each take 1 minute to send an email to them... perhaps they will wake up

www.interstate battery.com

click on contact us
click on e-mail customer service

here is what I sent

I am one Corvette Forum’s regular readers.
I have been shocked by what I have been reading about the alleged runaround that one of your customers has been receiving for the past two weeks. Please investigate his claims. You have a PR nightmare developing among Corvette owners,

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1031134

His name is Jim Nichols; you can contact him through the forum

Goodluck!
Guys let's help Jim out with an new fashioned e-mail campaign...

Thanks for the help. You guys know the real issue here is not the battery, it's customer service or lack of it.

Been following the story and must say in my many years I've never heard of such a run-a-round on a battery. I also sent an email to Interstate customer service letting them know they are getting a lot of "free" publicity, but not the kind they want.

Hope every little bit helps your cause.

Walmart Everstart $29.95 - works great.

This still isn't resolved??? WTF!!! I'd be one pissed off **** if they did this to me. I'll tell ya this. I used to hate Walmart batteries becasue I thought they were cheap. They are actually made by a very reputable manuf (but I don't remember who) and my brother had one explode in his 67 Mustang causing acid to splash everywhere and destroy his chrome and goodies.
Walmart did not hesitate to have him get an estimate of the damage and the the District Manager cut him a check on the spot. Walmart or Optima are the only ways I'll go.

OK, listen up, here's what you do. Call corporate and ask for Norm Miller, he is the Chairman of Interstate Batteries. He's a take charge (so to speak) kinda guy and looks like he'd be Pizzed if he knew that this was going on. Do I know him personally? No. Have I delt with him before? No. Then how do I know this about Norm? Well, on my way back from picking up my Chinese carry out I saw an Interstate Batteries van with his name and face plastered on the side. Thought it was Kenny Rogers at first but no it's Norm with a power screwdriver in one hand and a bunch of electronic devices in the other. Worth a shot.