From: tsanford@nf.sympatico.ca 
  
 "looie"  wrote in message 
 news:hnj090thakase4o8k6qh23bft8g3vch8dt@4ax.com... 
 > Three years ago, bought a top of the line Crappy Tire battery for my 
 > convertible. A week later, car wouldn't crank - battery dead! Took the 
 > battery to Crappy tire, who insisted the fault had to be my car's 
 > charging system. I told them to test the battery and left it with 
 > them. Next day, they admitted the battery was a dud and gave me a 
 > replacement. When I got home, I noticed in the paperwork, they had 
 > reduced the free replacement warranty by one year! Shysters. I called 
 > head office, and had to go back to the store to get the warranty 
 > restored. 
 > The car is stored winters, with the battery disconnected, and charged 
 > once a month. So, this week, it's Driveclean test time, and I charge 
 > the battery, The charge soon tapers off, so I assume it's fully 
 > charged. When I get in the car and turn on the ignition, the usual 
 > lights come on at normal brightness. But, as soon as I engage the 
 > starter, the battery dies. I have to boost the car and leave it 
 > running to make my appointment. 
 > What a piece of hundred dollar crap - shot after only three years. 
 > NEVER, never, never, never again will I buy a Crappy Tire battery! 
 > Walmarts $39 ones are better than this! 
  
 Strange: We have only once (maybe 15 to 20 years ago?) during some 48+ years 
 of vehicle ownership/use had a problem with a CT battery unless we either 
 abused one by leaving it discharged, outside in the cold etc. Or by 
 overcharging it. My recollection was that CT were obliging and helpful in 
 replacing or giving a credit towards a new battery. 
 Problems we have had have always been been with other parts of the 
 electrical system, the alternator or the starter etc. in our corrosive 
 Canadian east coast climate. 
 We drive two vehicles all year round and store two others (one outside which 
 we start and run occasionally) and have had no particular problem with 
 batteries of CT or other makes with either set of vehicles. I do agree that 
 Walmart batteries do seem to be slightly cheaper. But I do notice they are 
 displayed supposedly fully charged on shelves at the store, sometimes for 
 months before sale. Whether that affects their ultimate life I'm not sure. 
 Regards Terry. 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)