No one wants to walk into a Walmart 😂. That place is terrible.

 

I guess it depends on where you live! Stores reflect their clientele and surrounding neighborhood,

 

You will save more money at Walmart than anywhere else.

 

The only real issue I see about getting a battery at Walmart is, if you need a battery late at night and want to get going again, the auto area is closed so you will have to go back again during normal open hours to get your core money back. This is based on my experience.

 

My walmart auto centers around me are open until 8pm, most of the auto stores are only open until 8 or 9 around here. You can find the occasional 10pm store, but it is a drive away usually.

 

The only door I use at Walmart is the auto center door since they still take cash at that cash register and I am normally only getting something from that department anyway. BTW at my Walmart if you do not have the core with you you get the core charge up front anyway unless the Auto Center Manager is on.

 

The 3 major North American automotive battery manufacturers will make junk for brands who are only willing to pay for junk. You have no clue as to what your brand ordered.

The best bet is to shop price vs rated capacity (not just CCA) vs warranty. 100% replacement is better than prorated.

Late model Ford BCM wants to know whether wet cell or AGM, and battery capacity. Factory diagnostic computer, Forscan, or other advanced scan tool is required to properly change parameters if you install a different type or size.

 

Been using Sam's Club for years. Fresh batteries and very good prices. And the installers seem to know what they are doing. These batteries are 3 year full replacement. Using them for the boat too. Never an issue with any and I do not go beyond 4 years on the truck batteries. Too much involved with keeping proper power to all those systems. Cheap insurance at our high altitude and cold winters.

 

East Penn/Deka batteries are considered very good. I know a big box chain here is supplied by East Penn, but under their own house name. I wonder if there's any internal differences, or would they be the exact same battery?

 

Could be the same, but most of the time, when products are made by a few for the many, it's all price points.
A Good supplier can make a "crap" product because it was the price point they were asked to make the product too.