Hi Guys
I am doing a bit of research and want an opinion poll on where most of the people go to change/recycle their Car/Truck/lawn Mower etc batteries. I need to make a business decision and I need to know the Voice of the customer in this regard. As per research so far people usually get their vehicles jumpstart from RACV and then change the batteries from the battery shops as RACV prices and usually higher.
Your few seconds will help me make an informed decision.
TA
Thanks so whats I have gathered so far is the price and the warranty are variable which help in making this decision
Which is a reply you would expect if you’re asking on a forum on a bargains website, no?
You would expect most people on this website to be price-conscious, doesn’t mean everyone will be. For example what if someone just wants a battery ASAP and the shop down the road is a SCA? What if they don’t have a Costco (which seems to be a popular reply as per comments) membership?
Those jump starter batteries seem to be becoming pretty popular these days so not everyone will rely on calling RACV or roadside assistance either.
100%
If they stock it, consider Costco, for ease of warranty/replacement.
You've omitted the mobile services; e.g. roadside assistance providers, Marshall Batteries, Battery Australia, Lube Mobile, Battery World mobile. Every city also has a bunch of smaller independents.
I have included, RACV is Victoria’s leading road side assistance
But these services always charge a bit extra which I don’t think one will pay unless its a dire situation, as per my conversation with battery shop owners the people usually get the car jump started from the roadside assistance but change the battery from where its cheap to do so
I think you'll find that most car owners pay for the amenity of roadside battery service. I'm one of the minority who DIY. Battery shops can only speak of their customer base.
I reckon you're spot on. I did this very thing this week on a weekday when I didn't have the time or inclination to DIY. It would have saved me $30-60, but cost at least 2-3 hours of my time screwing around.
Costco, and put it in myself
For my luck, two of my cars battery died in the Costco car park, it was way over the warranty period and no brainer to just a put a new one.
Costco
Wherever is cheapest/has a promo going at the time. Install myself.
/recycle their
Supercheap .. free and close by.
Woolworths car park, just be quick
You are aware that the RACV doesn't cover all of Australia right? I'm sure that the road service providers get plenty of business as otherwise they wouldn't have dedicated vehicles for jump starting and selling batteries. This might still be outsourced. Some people just "Holler for a Marshall". Many if not most people are prepared to pay a premium for convenience and in this case many would want to resolve a critical problem quickly and so have limited time for other options. This is the wrong forum for your survey which is poorly designed. If you're prepared to outline the business opportunity you perceive we'll be happy to tear it to shreds provide thoughtful advice.
Thanks for your input
I don’t think its a wrong forum, as long as there are real people sharing their personal experiences/choices its fine by me
use a franchise: pay battery plus franchise fee
how hard is this?
OPs next post : I just signed up to a battery world franchise to get a new car battery at discount. What is my cooling off period?
Lol
Well am more or less on the same track, assuming the batteries are going to be more widely used once we have more EVs more Solar Systems installed on the rooftops
I found the importer wasn't too far from me, and I was able to get one direct for $130.
You can also find some on ebay now really cheap.
Which importer?
In melbourne there's a joint called Yhi Power in Keysborough. The batteries are made in south korea, sent here empty, and then filled with liquid and sold under the label Neuton Power. They've been around for a while, mechanics tend to use them.
Cheers. Just down the road so I’ll check them out next time I need a battery.
RJ Batts in Hallam.. They have always done well for me including full load testing and a written report…
When I got my battery replaced earlier in the month, Battery World were the cheapest around by around $20. It’s fine, they were fine 🤷♂️
Used batteryworld just last weekend. $65 call out fee + battery cost, or it would have been just the call out fee if the battery was fine and it was something else (alternator) and get a jump start.
Interestingly, nobody wants to help jump start a car these days.. "you'll break my cars electronics", which, fair enough.
Under the bonnet.
bonnet bonut
FTFY
Wow Cheeky as
Recycle the old Battery under the “Bonut” as well?
It depends on a few factors. Do I need my battery now? Mobile service might be most convenient to get me going. Nearest available shop might be next convenient. Cheapest battery place plus install cost will be least convenient.
A couple of anecdotes from my years driving:
Company car at the beginning of a night shift (around 6pm) needing to drive to site. Rang NRMA as the only available mobile service. Car rego was linked to another account somehow and they didn’t want to help me. Convinced them to come out after a bit and made sure they knew I’d pay full freight on the spot. As in, don’t care what it costs, I need a battery.
Last holidays hooked up the caravan, family all ready to go and the car wouldn’t start. Jumped it off the other car and drove straight to the nearest auto part shop that had accessible parking for a caravan bought whatever I could and fitted it in their carpark - using tools I borrowed from the shop. No chance of buying a battery on hols without major inconvenience.
Usually I will check a few prices and buy a good value battery (balance of brand reputation, warranty and price) and self install but it’s not always convenient.
This is Australia mate, we have dual-cabs, utes and fourbies. Not many people own an actual truck.
Well UTE, 4bies, Dual Cabs all are made on a ladder chassis which is widely known as trucks
But thats not the point, the point only was whats your go-to point to get the battery replaced
Well with all the electronics in cars today, RACV roadside batteries of course… It's not the old days with the old commydores & falcons.
It's honestly the same process whether it is a 2022 Ford Ranger, a 2007 Commodore or 1999 Falcon.
Battery retailers or mobile assist is the most common especially for older cars with less electical systems Some cars are a bit of pain to access and remove the battery and may also need a reset of the battery control system module. I know my ford escape is one of these and have heard some roadside assist service will decline and suggest you get the dealer to do it. Luckily in five years of ownership my car is still on its original battery and at the last service got a good mark. Still they can die suddenly.
Being OzBargain you should have a jumpstarter pack from one of the many deals for emergency use, then just look up the battery model needed and find the best deal and fit yourself.
Not one of the options but I recently had to swap and my local Ford spare parts/dealer was by far the cheapest option for me. Almost $100 less than RACV IIRC.
Batteries are one of those things that typically don't tell you they are dying, they just do. If it's a second car or it happens at a good time you have options, otherwise it's whoever is open right now :P
I don't think I have ever pro-actively changed a battery myself, the last replacement was Battery World after it went from "maybe I should put this on the charger" one day to "only just managed to start the car after being on charge all night". I stopped at Battery World on the way to work and got whatever they had that was suitable and haven't though about it again in years. Probably still got a few more before I need to do that again :P
There's a thing called the battery load tester. There are two types. One is the real deal with carbon resistive load and the commonly available digital tester based on formula and maths.
You can set a baseline when your battery is new and healthy then you can slowly work out when it is dying. Battery shops will have these testers and they can tell you when it needs to be changed before you are stranded out of no where.
This poll doesn't work for me because I only have 4 brands that I go for. Then I will look for the lowest price on sites then I will proceed to the shop to get the battery.
Last battery i bought from Supercheap but that doesn't mean i will next time. Depends on the particular battery i need and the price.
Shouldn't really be basing your business decisions on random unverified polls, but it's quite simple:
1) Find battery model number required
2) Find cheapest price for model NS70LX right now
2.5) Maybe consider different warranty lengths if applicable (e.g. pay bit more for extra year warranty)
3) Find most convenient outlet that sells it for that price
4) Purchase and install.
There's no need to have any allegiance with any particular shop or provider. Whichever offers cheapest/most convenient for the item you need at the time you need it. Job done.