The answer to this question varies depending on the brand of battery you have purchased. Some brands require that you keep your receipt in order to return or exchange the battery or service the warranty, and some don’t.
What’s Walmart’s car battery return policy?
- To return a car battery purchased from Walmart, you do not need a receipt. You can bring in the battery and request a refund, or ask for a replacement if it doesn’t work.
- Walmart will accept returns of unused car batteries within 90 days. Walmart will only accept returns of used batteries that are damaged, hazardous, or not in their original packaging.
- Walmart will give you the choice between a refund or a replacement battery if you return an unused battery without a receipt. If you have proof of purchase such as your credit card statement or debit card statement, they can also verify your purchase that way.
Batteries that come with a free-replacement period typically require proof of purchase.
In the case of defective batteries, you’ll need to provide proof that you purchased it. If the warranty specifies a free-replacement period, you will be required to present your battery receipt before receiving a replacement. This is true almost regardless of which brand or model you buy.
Let’s say you’re shopping for a new battery and are comparing between two options: one that offers 3 years with no proof of purchase required, and another that offers 3 years with free replacement for the first year (and then prorated after) but requires proof of purchase. In this case, choosing the latter is usually worth it even if you don’t have the receipt handy — simply keep your receipt in an accessible file or folder so you can easily retrieve it when needed. Otherwise, if your battery goes kaput after 15 months and you haven’t kept track of your 2-year free-replacement option, that’ll cost $120 out of pocket!
The only exception to this rule would be in cases where batteries come with lifetime warranties—however, these typically need to be registered in order to qualify for a replacement with any type of warranty coverage at all.
‘Free-replacement’ warranties are limited to the original purchaser of the battery.
If your battery fails during the free-replacement period, you can get a replacement at no cost. But you will probably need to show proof that you bought the battery. If the store where you bought it still has your receipt on file, you may not need to submit anything else in order to get your free replacement battery. Otherwise, some retailers will try to verify purchase by checking credit card statements or calling the manufacturer for verification if necessary.
In general, it’s always a good idea to keep track of receipts from big purchases like batteries so that you can refer back if needed. Also keep in mind that if someone gave you the car as a gift and paid for the battery themselves, they would be considered the original purchaser and would need to submit proof of purchase instead of you.
You can register your battery warranty online or in person at an auto parts store or dealership.
If you’re not sure whether or not you’re still within the warranty period, don’t worry. Most battery warranties are easy to check using an online resource like BatteryWarranty.com. You can register your battery warranty online or in person at an auto parts store or dealership. Online registration is usually faster, and it can be done from any digital device. If you prefer to do the registration in person, there are plenty of options for doing so at a time that’s most convenient for you. For example, many people choose to register their warranty at their local auto parts store when they’re making a purchase there—this way, it’s one less thing for them to remember later on!
Keep an eye out for warranties that require you to return the defective battery for a refund or future credit.
You may want to reserve special care for warranties that require you to return the defective battery for a refund or future credit. In these cases, you’ll need your receipt as proof of purchase in order to receive your refund or credit. It’s important to note that other items in addition to the (non-receipt paper) warranty card may be required when returning a battery, depending on where you purchased it and what type of warranty it has. For example:
- A retailer may require you to return it within a certain amount of time after purchase, such as 30 days
- The manufacturer may require you to ship the defective battery back by mail at their expense
If you don’t want to deal with receipts and warranties, look for batteries with a longer life span and fewer replacement requirements.
There is another option to replacing your car battery. If you don’t want to deal with receipts and warranties, look for batteries with a longer life span and fewer replacement requirements. Look for batteries that are maintenance free, spill proof, have a built-in hydrometer, and have a long shelf life.
If you take the time to read through the warranty information before buying a battery, you may be able to avoid having to provide receipts when it comes time for replacements.