Talk about customer service!
In April this year I decided to replace the two group 31 marine/deep cycle batteries that our coach uses as starting batteries. One seemed to have a small leak at one post, it was always corroded. They were 5 years old.
Took the old ones in to Battery Direct, where I have been dealing for years (decades) to have them replaced. I noted that the two batteries that they loaded into the back of the van seemed smaller. The owner (a long time acquaintance whom I liked and respected) told me that they were a lot cheaper and should do the job just fine and had just about the same CCA.
Back home the tech arrived to do some other work so I had him put these new batteries in.
Move ahead to this Thursday, 5 months later. Getting the rig ready for the winter journey to Mexico I decided I should check the SG and electrolyte levels. The new chassis batteries were group 27 maintenance free batteries! :S
As said, we winter in Mexico; daytime temps are always 80 to 90 degrees F. I always have to add distilled water at least once, usually twice, while we are there, to the chassis batteries since the charging to these batteries is not temperature compensated.
Friday I dropped in to Battery Direct to have a chat. "Bring them in, we'll swap them out." So later that day I returned with the group 27s. Then I said that the originals were group 31 Marine/Deep Cycle, and since they ran the steps, slide and jacks hydraulic motor and who knows what else, I wouldn't mind putting those in if they had them in stock, and would be happy to pay the difference.
Two new group 31 Marine/Deep Cycles went into the back of the van--NO CHARGE! Happy Customer! :)
Except that now I have to make up new cables since the ones for the 27s are two short and the old ones were corroded. I just found out what 2/0 cable is worth--even a foot at a time--and the solder on connectors. And I'm out of fluxcore solder (except for some really fine stuff). So that has to wait for Monday when rain is forecast. :S
Took the old ones in to Battery Direct, where I have been dealing for years (decades) to have them replaced. I noted that the two batteries that they loaded into the back of the van seemed smaller. The owner (a long time acquaintance whom I liked and respected) told me that they were a lot cheaper and should do the job just fine and had just about the same CCA.
Back home the tech arrived to do some other work so I had him put these new batteries in.
Move ahead to this Thursday, 5 months later. Getting the rig ready for the winter journey to Mexico I decided I should check the SG and electrolyte levels. The new chassis batteries were group 27 maintenance free batteries! :S
As said, we winter in Mexico; daytime temps are always 80 to 90 degrees F. I always have to add distilled water at least once, usually twice, while we are there, to the chassis batteries since the charging to these batteries is not temperature compensated.
Friday I dropped in to Battery Direct to have a chat. "Bring them in, we'll swap them out." So later that day I returned with the group 27s. Then I said that the originals were group 31 Marine/Deep Cycle, and since they ran the steps, slide and jacks hydraulic motor and who knows what else, I wouldn't mind putting those in if they had them in stock, and would be happy to pay the difference.
Two new group 31 Marine/Deep Cycles went into the back of the van--NO CHARGE! Happy Customer! :)
Except that now I have to make up new cables since the ones for the 27s are two short and the old ones were corroded. I just found out what 2/0 cable is worth--even a foot at a time--and the solder on connectors. And I'm out of fluxcore solder (except for some really fine stuff). So that has to wait for Monday when rain is forecast. :S
