The Ford Barn

JM 35 Sedan · 09-23-2018, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL&WVMIKE

Walmart says they still have them. As does Autozone. Walmart is free (to store) shipping.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/OPTIMA-Re...Volt/706140145

Mike, I was going thru some old pics of a 2010 Barner's Bash gathering in Florida, and found one of your Dad . I could post here or send to your email.

tubman · 09-23-2018, 10:22 AM

I've checked a few sources and thet seem to still be widely available (though I have no need to actually order one). They are, however, about $50 higher in price than the last one I bought. Things like this always make me wonder what's really going on.

"Drbrown" - from what I can see on this and other car forums I frequent, Optima seems to be far and away the most popular 6 volt battery nationwide. Just about every 6 volt vehicle I see at shows and cruise-ins has one. Also, wouldn't warranty issues be handled by the selling entity? From what I've read, warranty support for Optima's varies greatly between suppliers, which seems to indicate that it wouldn't be a manufacturers issue.

JM 35 Sedan · 09-23-2018, 12:08 PM

Don't panic folks, we'll figure something out without having to convert to a too tall 6V 2HF lead acid or 12V

FortyNiner · 09-23-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

Also, wouldn't warranty issues be handled by the selling entity? From what I've read, warranty support for Optima's varies greatly between suppliers, which seems to indicate that it wouldn't be a manufacturers issue.

The warranty is always the manufacturer's issue. Customer contact practices vary by reseller.

tubman · 09-23-2018, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FortyNiner

The warranty is always the manufacturer's issue. Customer contact practices vary by reseller.

I think major suppliers such as Summit (where I bought my last one) and a few others may handle it differently to protect heir reputations.

Drbrown · 09-24-2018, 12:14 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

About year or two ago Optima and Amazon went head to head on the warranty issue. Optima was not honoring their batteries sold by Amazon. I understand Optima "caved" and subsequently elected to honor batteries sold by Amazon. There are many state and commercial laws and reg's that apply to manufacturers being liable for their promises.

True some retailers will "cover" for Optima and other manufacturers that "go south" but if they don't have an optima to replace your existing one, what are you going to get ? Could be something of good quality but not equal to the original ?

As to supply, these's certain a supply of units sitting in warehouses and on the back shelves, but that will run out. And yes, why won't the sellers boost prices when they see an advantage.

ford38v8 · 09-24-2018, 04:02 PM

Email from Optima Customer Service just now:

Hello Alan,

Thank you for contacting Optima Customer Service. It is currently on backorder, but I am not aware of it being discontinued.

Thank you,
Mary jo
Optima Customer Service

JSeery · 09-24-2018, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Email from Optima Customer Service just now:

Hello Alan,

Thank you for contacting Optima Customer Service. It is currently on backorder, but I am not aware of it being discontinued.

Thank you,
Mary jo
Optima Customer Service

Now you spoiled everything, you when and ask the supplier!

Highboy34 · 09-24-2018, 08:15 PM

I asked Optima Customer Service about the 6 volt redtop, their answer:

"It is currently on backorder but I am not aware of it being discontinued."

Tinker · 09-24-2018, 09:43 PM

Good to know. Supply and demand. Sometimes short supply creates demand. Guess I'll pick one up this yr as an extra anyway.

Most resales departments defer warranties to the manufacture. Not always, depends on the deal they made with the manufacture on the buy, I would think most buy in bulk and resell. Always had good luck with napa over the other chain stores. Personal opinion on a chain overall, always pleased by them in this area.

Walmart will take anything back. Not sure if it matters if you bought it there or not.... too big to care or know. Kidding!!! but they do take anything back without question, might just ship it back to the manufacturer also. Not a huge fan but do use it once every month or two.

rotorwrench · 09-25-2018, 11:29 AM

Another thing that may be in play is the current trade war going on. I don't know where the Optima 6-volt batteries are manufactured but it may be outside the USA.

I remember back when you could get a battery rebuilt. They remove the tar from the top and pull the old eaten up plates out for scrap. They cleaned the old hard rubber case up and installed a new set of plates. Put the tar back on top and presto, a newly rebuilt battery. Add the proper amount of electrolyte then charge up to battery voltage capacity. They would send the old scrap plate sets back to the manufacture which would melt them down and make new ones. This just makes way too much sense is a world where the scrap batteries are now sold overseas by the boatload for reprocessing/recycling.

tubman · 09-25-2018, 11:46 AM

I believe that Optima batteries are now made in Mexico, so you may be on to something.

JM 35 Sedan · 09-25-2018, 01:04 PM

£©π€®¢√¶℅™

slowforty · 09-25-2018, 04:28 PM

An interesting thought on buying a battery. I talked to a Battery retailer, he said to buy the cheapest six volt battery you could find. That battery has a lower and shorter number of
plates in it. Therefore when used in a car that is not driven a lot, the battery will take longer to sulfate because the plates are shorter and fewer in number than a top of the line battery stuffed with plates so the rating is higher. Just a thought.

tubman · 09-25-2018, 04:58 PM

I spent the first 30 years of my car life with cheap 6 volt batteries and the last 20 years with Optima's; I know which I prefer. Sounds like a retailer trying to sell more batteries.

Tinker · 09-25-2018, 08:06 PM

I have to agree here. I'm sure cheaper batteries are quite fine. I used to get about 2-3yrs out of regular cheap 6v batteries in the heat of Florida. Bought my first optima about 8-9 yrs ago. I'm still using it. I'll see how it does in Mn (I pull them and store inside, charge maybe once or twice or the winter), Hope it last another 8yrs.

09-23-2018, 10:22 AM	#22
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: Optima.... I've checked a few sources and thet seem to still be widely available (though I have no need to actually order one). They are, however, about $50 higher in price than the last one I bought. Things like this always make me wonder what's really going on. "Drbrown" - from what I can see on this and other car forums I frequent, Optima seems to be far and away the most popular 6 volt battery nationwide. Just about every 6 volt vehicle I see at shows and cruise-ins has one. Also, wouldn't warranty issues be handled by the selling entity? From what I've read, warranty support for Optima's varies greatly between suppliers, which seems to indicate that it wouldn't be a manufacturers issue.

09-23-2018, 12:08 PM	#23
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Optima.... Don't panic folks, we'll figure something out without having to convert to a too tall 6V 2HF lead acid or 12V __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein* Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 09-24-2018 at 08:54 AM.

09-24-2018, 12:14 AM	#26
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: Optima.... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) About year or two ago Optima and Amazon went head to head on the warranty issue. Optima was not honoring their batteries sold by Amazon. I understand Optima "caved" and subsequently elected to honor batteries sold by Amazon. There are many state and commercial laws and reg's that apply to manufacturers being liable for their promises. True some retailers will "cover" for Optima and other manufacturers that "go south" but if they don't have an optima to replace your existing one, what are you going to get ? Could be something of good quality but not equal to the original ? As to supply, these's certain a supply of units sitting in warehouses and on the back shelves, but that will run out. And yes, why won't the sellers boost prices when they see an advantage.

09-24-2018, 04:02 PM	#27
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,641	Re: Optima.... Email from Optima Customer Service just now: Hello Alan, Thank you for contacting Optima Customer Service. It is currently on backorder, but I am not aware of it being discontinued. Thank you, Mary jo Optima Customer Service __________________ Alan

09-24-2018, 08:15 PM	#29
Highboy34 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boerne, TX Posts: 142	Re: Optima.... I asked Optima Customer Service about the 6 volt redtop, their answer: "It is currently on backorder but I am not aware of it being discontinued."

09-24-2018, 09:43 PM	#30
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Optima.... Good to know. Supply and demand. Sometimes short supply creates demand. Guess I'll pick one up this yr as an extra anyway. Most resales departments defer warranties to the manufacture. Not always, depends on the deal they made with the manufacture on the buy, I would think most buy in bulk and resell. Always had good luck with napa over the other chain stores. Personal opinion on a chain overall, always pleased by them in this area. Walmart will take anything back. Not sure if it matters if you bought it there or not.... too big to care or know. Kidding!!! but they do take anything back without question, might just ship it back to the manufacturer also. Not a huge fan but do use it once every month or two. Last edited by Tinker; 09-24-2018 at 10:07 PM.

09-25-2018, 11:29 AM	#31
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Optima.... Another thing that may be in play is the current trade war going on. I don't know where the Optima 6-volt batteries are manufactured but it may be outside the USA. I remember back when you could get a battery rebuilt. They remove the tar from the top and pull the old eaten up plates out for scrap. They cleaned the old hard rubber case up and installed a new set of plates. Put the tar back on top and presto, a newly rebuilt battery. Add the proper amount of electrolyte then charge up to battery voltage capacity. They would send the old scrap plate sets back to the manufacture which would melt them down and make new ones. This just makes way too much sense is a world where the scrap batteries are now sold overseas by the boatload for reprocessing/recycling. Last edited by rotorwrench; 09-25-2018 at 11:41 AM.

09-25-2018, 11:46 AM	#32
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: Optima.... I believe that Optima batteries are now made in Mexico, so you may be on to something.

09-25-2018, 01:04 PM	#33
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Optima.... £©π€®¢√¶℅™ __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein* Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 09-25-2018 at 10:57 PM. Reason: Removed original message

09-25-2018, 04:28 PM	#34
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,060	Re: Optima.... An interesting thought on buying a battery. I talked to a Battery retailer, he said to buy the cheapest six volt battery you could find. That battery has a lower and shorter number of plates in it. Therefore when used in a car that is not driven a lot, the battery will take longer to sulfate because the plates are shorter and fewer in number than a top of the line battery stuffed with plates so the rating is higher. Just a thought.

09-25-2018, 04:58 PM	#35
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: Optima.... I spent the first 30 years of my car life with cheap 6 volt batteries and the last 20 years with Optima's; I know which I prefer. Sounds like a retailer trying to sell more batteries.

09-25-2018, 08:06 PM	#36
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Optima.... I have to agree here. I'm sure cheaper batteries are quite fine. I used to get about 2-3yrs out of regular cheap 6v batteries in the heat of Florida. Bought my first optima about 8-9 yrs ago. I'm still using it. I'll see how it does in Mn (I pull them and store inside, charge maybe once or twice or the winter), Hope it last another 8yrs.