Sears Platinum/Odyssey Rant

[LINUS]

Another thought is maybe just skip the bozo you been dealing with you don't want to go toe -to- toe with him, making him point where in the warranty it has that exclusionary clause (highly doubt it's there - and especially if you paid extra/itemized for the coverage, it is acceptance on their part if they let you walk out with it - like how car insurance covers you no matter what if you bought the coverage).

Go to another Sears that isn't part of the downsizing (know we have a couple, just further from my house) - those guys will have an incentive to help you, and just let them find for themselves if your receipt says 'carry out' on it. Just omit to offer that info.

 

[cruzerDave]

My last platinum DH I sold with my 62, and when my 100 needed a new battery it was a big research project since PDH was no longer an option...

After everything I could read I went with a NorthStar X2 and it has kicked butt in subzero temps so far
All NorthStar Battery Replacements at Batteries Plus Bulbs
Bought for 260 despite what web prices say, seems the local shops have the option to wheel-n-deal a bit

 

[NC LX]

Sears days are numbered.
I had issues returning a microwave. I ended up contacting corporate through FB to settle it. I know another guy that spent 8k on appliances and after a month they still weren't installed. Sears put it on a 3rd party and wouldn't help after they paid.

Even the mechanic at work bought a digital Craftsman torque wrench and they wouldn't return it either within the warranty bc he didn't have a receipt.

I got my batteries at Batteries plus and have been really happy. They keep everything in the computer.

 

[ChaseTruck]

Batteries Plus X2 Power, 27F in the '80 here, 34R in my main 'wheeling truck. Yellow Optima 27F in the LX, blue Optima in the FJ40.

No more Sears stuff for me since Sears in Omaha (i.e. more than 10 years ago...) tried to get out of it on a warranty claim on an air ratchet. Not the Craftsman hand tools warranty, but a regular 1-year warranty. It was the typical 'holier-than-thou midwest behavior' by the manager on that day - that guy only gave in when he realized I wasn't going to leave the darn store, or if I were going to leave empty-handed, it was clear that I wouldn't coming back for anything else. He made it very clear that it was only by his personal good graces that my warranty claim was fulfilled. Somehow, I didn't feel like going back to that company - for any other business, for that matter, and I don't think I really missed out.

What really bugged me was that I had paperwork in hand on that day, clearly stating warranty coverage, and still got the runaround. Without that piece of paper, I wouldn't have bothered to go there in the first place, chucked the thing, chalked it up to 'lesson-learned', and purchased a replacement elsewhere. Anyways: that Sears store, by the way, is long gone...

 

[Pin_Head]

Go down to the court house and file a small claims court claim against them. It might cost a little bit, but you get your money back when you win. No way they will go to court over a battery.

 

[KoffeeKommando]

Sam's Club has Duracell branded East Penn/Deka AGM batts in my town finally:
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/auto-grp-24f-34ragm-36-mo-free/prod9510083.ip

$168 - US made in Pennsylvania. It's a relabeled Deka Intimidator I believe.

Just put it in a week ago. Will see how long it goes.

 

[Shoredreamer]

I just got my 31M warrantied a couple weeks ago and was given a 34 AGM gold made by east penn. I also got the remaining ~$180 in difference back too on my card. I think my success came from going in on a busy Saturday with the battery charged and in hand, it was busy and on the weekend so the manager was busy and I got the battery tested my a random employee. Battery failed on the tester, went back inside, grabbed the best battery there, took my money and ran. They never asked for my invoice (receipt) but looked up my info on the computer. Sears, where everything's a roll of the dice. Good luck

 

[Peluo]

I bought 2 Odyssey group 65-PC1750T back in late 2009 before my overland trip around South America in 2010. I modify the OEM brackets by trimming them so the could could grab the top ridge. At the beginning of the trip, I had too tighten the holding brackets because they were getting loose, on the stretch between Boa Vista and Manaus. Later on that epic trip, I found out that one of the batteries broke. We epoxied but It eventually died shortly after that. Like a year Later.
The other Battery also broke. But much less and caught it sooner, I guess, so it lasted like 3-4 years. No other brand of battery have broken. But I guess that modify thinner hold down had something to do with it.
Next round I am going to device some better hold down for the batteries so this doesn't happen again.
If anybody has some suggestion on a better bracket/hold down for the 80s I am all ears.
Also maybe the group 31 fits better.

 

[dogfishlake]

My white 97 had a Optima yellow top in it when I bought it 10 years ago. My daughter called me from school to tell me the battery was dead in the student lot. Being a little more than and hour away, I went ahead and bought a new battery for it (don't even remember what brand, a NAPA flooded I believe). When I got there, I quickly discovered the map light had been left on for a couple of days and that was the source. I put the Optima on the smart charger and she is serving well as my back up.

I need a new battery for the other 80 and my wife tried to get me a Costco/Interstate group 27F and they told her they don't have that size and never have. WTF? Anyone else run it to this?

 

[450LX]

I always buy my batteries at Walmart. Maybe they arent the best, but they are cheap and they always honor the warranty. However, the real reson I use Walmart batteries is because it doesnt matter where you are at with your rig there is always a walmart close to you in the US. Life happens away from home, so it just makes sense. Its the same reason I use green coolant in my rig. If life happens away from the Toyota dealership I can go to any gas station and not worry about putting green antifreeze in with the red. I always keep this idea of things going wrong at the wrong time in everything I build and do. Simple, pratical, and thourough...

 

[dogfishlake]

I always buy my batteries at Walmart. Maybe they arent the best, but they are cheap and they always honor the warranty. However, the real reson I use Walmart batteries is because it doesnt matter where you are at with your rig there is always a walmart close to you in the US. Life happens away from home, so it just makes sense. Its the same reason I use green coolant in my rig. If life happens away from the Toyota dealership I can go to any gas station and not worry about putting green antifreeze in with the red. I always keep this idea of things going wrong at the wrong time in everything I build and do. Simple, pratical, and thourough...

My BIL manages a large truck fleet and he once told me Wally world batteries are good quality. Can't remember who makes them for them. I may look into that as well, thanks.

 

[Kaninja]

My BIL manages a large truck fleet and he once told me Wally world batteries are good quality. Can't remember who makes them for them. I may look into that as well, thanks.

Johnson Controls makes them. Johnson Controls also makes Costco's Kirkland brand. Great quality manufacturer.

 

[dogfishlake]

Johnson Controls makes them. Johnson Controls also makes Costco's Kirkland brand. Great quality manufacturer.

Good info. Johnson controls also manufactures the Interstate brand. I believe Costco dropped the Kirkland rebrand and just sells the Interstate brand now-same battery though

 

[Kaninja]

Good info. Johnson controls also manufactures the Interstate brand. I believe Costco dropped the Kirkland rebrand and just sells the Interstate brand now-same battery though

I have heard that. At my local Costco they are still Kirkland, just bought one for my 80. They may just be working through what they have left.

 

[dogfishlake]

I still don't know what the deal is with my local (45minutes away) costco saying they don't carry the 27F. Since I have no life other than the well rutted path between home and work I haven't been able to investigate further.

 

[Kaninja]

Neither of the 2 Costo's near me carry the 27F. I went with the 24F. Works great but will most likely upgrade when I install a winch.

 

[dogfishlake]

Just changed my vote for the poll. I was thinking Optima when I read Odyssey. No probs with Optima but my second 80 came with a DHP that was 3 years old and it died on me. It would go dead in 3 days with nothing hooked to it.

 

[jamesurq]

Those of you saying things like "sears won't be around anyway" and "they'll close by the end of the year"..... Don't count on it.

There's a BIG difference between 'not doing well - we're closing 42 stores' and a complete closure of the entire 1500 store chain. The fact that they're not honoring warranties certainly doesn't bode well for them, but don't count on them closing in the next year or even 5 years.

 

[Heckraiser]

I used to run the diehard platinum and buy craftsman tools.

Now I run the walmart Everstart Maxx and buy Harbor Freight Tools. Warranty on both is "drag it in, plop it on the counter, walk out with new"

 

[Jorgito]

Hello guys,

I am looking for this battery:

Odyssey PC1500-34M 12V 68Ah, 383,75 €

The response, when asked for battery which was manufactured in past 12 months, is following:

Unfortunately this type is not a Highrunner type.


Therefore, the battery is there in stock of 2014. The battery was 2x recharged which according to the statement by Hawker would not have been necessary since this battery could be stored 24 months without recharging.

But this was done for safety.


So what do you guys think, shall I buy this expensive battery which is two years old?

I am asking the seller what is the warranty on the battery but what would be your opinions on battery two years old ?

UPDATE: Seller gives only 12 month warranty.