Optima Batteries

Based on your description of the problem, your battery was purchased from Auto Zone on January 3rd, 2012.  On 1/30/15 you returned to Auto Zone with your battery and original receipt. Based on the OPTIMA Warranty found on OptimaBatteries.com...

([redacted]), page 1, paragraph 1, "The warranty period for a battery is calculated from the original battery purchase date." Which in this case began on Jan, 3rd, 2012, and ended on Jan 3rd, 2015.  The battery was returned to the Auto Zone retailer for battery testing and warranty on Jan 30th, 2015, which is outside of your warranty period.  Additionally, Since this optima battery was purchased from a retail location the warranty must be handled through the retailer.  See page 1, paragraph 1, "If a replacement is necessary due to a defect in materials and/or workmanship, then upon return to an authorized OPTIMA distributor/dealer for retail store purchases... The battery will be replaced free of charge."  Further detail is described on page 2 paragraph 1, "OPTIMA batteries must be returned with the original receipt to the location where the battery was originally purchased for any warranty service."  Since the battery was purchased at Auto Zone, then Auto Zone has the authority to issue a warranty.Due to the time frame given in this case the battery is outside it's warranty period and therefore not required by Auto Zone to issue a warranty.  Also, because of the terms and conditions of the warranty policy all warranties are required to be handled by the original retail point of purchase, again Auto Zone.  Optimabatteries.com is under no obligation or requirement to handle warranty for purchases made through retailers as stated in the OPTIMA warranty policy.

[redacted],Optima Batteries apologizes for the inconvenience you experienced redeeming your rebate.  Our sales representative has contacted you via phone to review this issue.  Additionally, we have reviewed your request with the rebate fulfillment company and confirmed your receipt of purchase....

 You will receive your rebate after we can confirm your mailing address listed below.  Upon receiving your confirmation we will issue the rebate.Address we have on file:[redacted]Contact Phone Number:###-###-####Thanks,[redacted] Optima Technical Support

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
Regards,
[redacted]

On Tue, Oct 7, 2014 at 9:09 PM, [redacted] . [redacted] wrote: I was trying to find a way to message you from your website but I couldn't find anything. Anyway... I received a message today that I will receive a refund within the next 3 business days. I have no reason to believe...

that it wont happen. Nor do I know why all of a sudden they were able to do this. Perhaps if they had communicated with me at all this wouldn't have had to go so far. I don't know if it helped in anyway that you had contacted them but thank you for what you did anyway. Thanks again. [redacted]

Review: I purchased a yellow Optima battery on Jan 3rd, 2012.

I started having problems with my car dying after sitting for 4 or 5 days starting a couple months ago. It kept getting worse to the point where it wont hold a charge overnight. I checked the car and there wasn't anything putting a drain on it while off. I took the battery back to [redacted] and they told me that there was a failed cell and I shouldn't use the battery. I didn't realize it was so close to the warranty period or I would have taken it in earlier.

It is still in the same month, 36 months later. I contacted customer service and they said they would not honor their product and they weren't going to do anything to try and fix the problem.

Thanks, [redacted]Desired Settlement: I would like a new battery since mine was defective within the first 36 months, as they advertise.

Business

Response:

Based on your description of the problem, your battery was purchased from Auto Zone on January 3rd, 2012. On 1/30/15 you returned to Auto Zone with your battery and original receipt. Based on the OPTIMA Warranty found on OptimaBatteries.com ([redacted]), page 1, paragraph 1, "The warranty period for a battery is calculated from the original battery purchase date." Which in this case began on Jan, 3rd, 2012, and ended on Jan 3rd, 2015. The battery was returned to the Auto Zone retailer for battery testing and warranty on Jan 30th, 2015, which is outside of your warranty period. Additionally, Since this optima battery was purchased from a retail location the warranty must be handled through the retailer. See page 1, paragraph 1, "If a replacement is necessary due to a defect in materials and/or workmanship, then upon return to an authorized OPTIMA distributor/dealer for retail store purchases... The battery will be replaced free of charge." Further detail is described on page 2 paragraph 1, "OPTIMA batteries must be returned with the original receipt to the location where the battery was originally purchased for any warranty service." Since the battery was purchased at Auto Zone, then Auto Zone has the authority to issue a warranty.Due to the time frame given in this case the battery is outside it's warranty period and therefore not required by Auto Zone to issue a warranty. Also, because of the terms and conditions of the warranty policy all warranties are required to be handled by the original retail point of purchase, again Auto Zone. Optimabatteries.com is under no obligation or requirement to handle warranty for purchases made through retailers as stated in the OPTIMA warranty policy.

Review: I received a replacement 35 red top battery from Amazon on Oct 31, 2013. The battery no longer holds a charge longer than 18-24 hours. I have tried charging it and it dies within 24 hours. The battery meter is reading bad battery consistently. Even after starting my car and driving for several hours to let the alternator charge it, it does not maintain the charge. I have contacted Amazon about a replacement, but they only do that for one year on these batteries and told me to contact Optima. I sent an email from their website on March 25, 2016, without a reply. I have tried calling 3-4 times between then and now with no response. In fact, it says it will transfer me to a technician and hangs up on me.

I have tried calling local dealers to replace it, but they will not replace it being I didn't buy from them. I want to execute the warranty, but there is no reply from the company.Desired Settlement: Replacement of the battery being it is under the 36 month warranty.

Business

Response:

We have reached out to Amazon to clarify the warranty period. Per your message the battery has tested bad and is within the three year warranty period which is based upon the date of purchase. This issue has been escalated to Amazon Automotive Assist team. Amazon has recognized that this battery does require warranty. A new battery has been sent to you. Due to the information provided to us from Amazon you have been shipped a new battery via UPS, it was delivered on April 18th, 2016, and signed for by [redacted]. This will meet the requirement you listed in your request.

Hello I am a optima battery user since my first car honda accord1991 I had a redtop battery in this car which it had a sound system the car is not mine any more todays date is 1/1/2014 I bought this car 10years ago and sold it to a friend wich still has the redtop battery and should not have this one because its not for sound system use but its still at 12.6 volts. And the location of my friends car the honda and mine is here in the US Chicago Illinois. With extreme heat and cold weather in december the battery has survived flawlessly. Wen I sold the car I had a toyota mr2 1990 and put a yellowtop battery but only had the car for one year but the battery still tough like new. Now I have a pontiac grandprix which I bought for 2,000$ and fixed it up making it like new interior and exterior for 24,000$ project but since I had the pontiac grandprix1999 and was doing all the rebuilding repais for 6years now I bought a yellowtop battery and it still runs and my sound system is 1000watts with no problem. I also have a D31m optima bluetop battery for my small solar system that I have in my home powering up my 32l.e.d tv and my alienware 14inch laptop with speakers and powering also my ps3 printer wii and rechargeable nitecore batteries. And curently bought a yellowtop for my mother inlaws dodge van. So I love this batteries no problems no issues exept ppl dont educate themselves on how to use them therefore they have to bad mouth a good company making great products. Price is good if u can afford me I never go cheap and its not the brand that u buy is the quality and the years to come that will save you money. Yes u might get a defective one but that dont mean all optimas are bad now since the beggining they had used the same tech for there products and till now I think there the best. My first battery on my honda from optima redtop died in the first month returned it but then refund for another new one and since then no problems and is still runing in that honda. So if you reading this educate on how to use and recharge ur batteries and also wich one is good for u the redtop yellow and blue are all different just remember u catn use a redtop for a soundsystem. My name is [redacted] and optimas here in Chicago are excellent choice for me my friends and familly and solar systems. Thank you for reading my long review.

Review: I ordered a battery charger from them on 7/31/14. I received the item on 8/5/14. I opened the product the next day or 2 and found I received a refurbished item. The box had been opened and damaged and there were signs of wear. I contacted them right away and after about a week I was sent a return label on 8/14/14. I dropped off the item using that return label either on 8/20/14 or 8/27/14. I waited and waited. I heard nothing from them. I found a number to shopitron which is who takes care of their billing. I called them and they said they knew nothing about this return and there was no way I was receiving a refund unless they are told. They told me a return was never made for my item and they would open one then. So on 9/27/14 They did. They told me they would send a message to the manufacture and would call me back Monday. I waited until Weds Oct 1st and called them back. They said they would call them at that time. They got back on the phone with me and said that no one was available and they would call me back later that day. I never received another call to this day.Desired Settlement: I want my 109.99 back from them for the battery charger that THEY have.

Consumer

Response:

On Tue, Oct 7, 2014 at 9:09 PM, [redacted] . [redacted] wrote: I was trying to find a way to message you from your website but I couldn't find anything. Anyway... I received a message today that I will receive a refund within the next 3 business days. I have no reason to believe that it wont happen. Nor do I know why all of a sudden they were able to do this. Perhaps if they had communicated with me at all this wouldn't have had to go so far. I don't know if it helped in anyway that you had contacted them but thank you for what you did anyway. Thanks again. [redacted]

Review: I bought the Optima battery on eBay on Jan. 31, 2015. After 2 month of use the battery is failed.

I contacted to the company and they refused to fix the problem.

Here is what they said" Hello Eduard,

Batteries purchased through Ebay do not carry a warranty unless purchased through an authorized retailer of Optima batteries through Ebay. In this case you would have to contact the company in which you purchased the battery through for warranty.

Thank you,

Matt

Optima Customer Service"

The seller said that the battery is under warranty of OptimaBatteries.

So I bought the brand new sealed Optima Battery.

It failed after 2 month.

The production company doesn't want to fix the problem while the the battery is still under factory warranty.

On my opinion it doesn't matter where I bought the item. The company Optima Batteries should be responsible for their defective products.

For example: I bought recently a Transcend car video recorder on eBay from a regular seller . I had the problems with the audio recording. The company is replaced the defective item without any problems and I even didn't buy the car video recorder from them directly.Desired Settlement: I think the Optima Batteries should replace the defective battery no matter where I bought it.

I have all supported papers that show where I bought the battery , when and how much I paid.

Business

Response:

Authorized OPTIMA retailers are by contract required to offer warranty service for they Optima products that are sold. Based on the OPTIMA Warranty found on OptimaBatteries.com (http://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/support/warranties/on-or-after-2-1-2009/), See page 1, paragraph 1, "The original sale receipt is required to establish proof of purchase and warranty date, and must be provided to an authorized OPTIMA distributor or dealer for all warranty claims."Further detail is described relating to purchases made online on page 2 paragraph 3, "Purchases of used/or pre-owned OPTIMA batteries, shipping-damaged batteries or any OPTIMA product sold through unapproved channels have no warranty whatsoever. Although there are many reputable online re-sellers of OPTIMA Batteries, there are some re-sellers that do not provide the same product or high level of service you should expect from the OPTIMA Batteries brand. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. BEFORE you purchase online make sure your re-seller provides these critical assurances: 1. Re-seller will provide direct warranty service after the sale for the duration of the warranty. 2. Re-seller provides a phone number and address of their place of business. 3. Re-seller will ship product to you using OPTIMA Batteries, Inc approved packaging. 4. Re-seller will provide evidence that the OPTIMA Battery is new and unused. 5. Re-seller will provide evidence that the OPTIMA Battery will ship to you at a voltage no less than 12.5 volts."New Battery Purchases are described on page 2, paragraph 5, "Optima Batteries must be returned with the original receipt to the location where the battery was originally shipped from for any warranty service. If you purchase your Optima battery from an online re-seller, you will be responsible for shipping the battery back to that online re-seller."To receive assistance with your warranty your battery must be returned to the online retailer who sold you the battery. The optima Batteries, Inc. Limited Consumer Warranty clearly outlines the process to follow to receive warranty assistance.MikeOptima Batteries

Review: Refusal to send the full amount of product rebate due. For purchase of two batteries I received the rebate for only one, while the rules and my submissions allowed for two. I have detailed evidence.Desired Settlement: Refund of the portion of the purchase represented by the unfulfilled rebate.

Business

Response:

[redacted],

Review: After approximately 19 months, my Optima 34R / 8003-151 automotive battery died. It worked in my MINI Cooper S Convertible - then it didn't. I tried reviving it in all the ways Optima suggested - but the battery was dead.

Like others, I purchased the Optima battery online. The dealer that shipped was in Wisconsin. I'm on the [redacted]. My Optima Battery came with the standard 36 month warranty. The problem is - Optima Battery now refuses to honor it's own warranty and it's specific warranty terms.

In it's warranty, Optima Battery states that their batteries "must be provided to an authorized OPTIMA distributor or dealer for all warranty claims." No specific Optima distributor or dealer is mandated for servicing an Optima Battery.

Consistent with the written warranty, over the phone, Optima Battery's recorded message states that if a consumer is unable to go to the company that sold them the warranty, Optima will get the warranty fulfilled by a local dealer in their area. The only caveat is - if the battery can be charged, a small fee may incur - if the errant battery can be revived.

The problem is when an Optima battery consumer actually tries to get warranty service - Optima says that the originating dealer must fulfill the warranty service - no matter where that dealer is located. In other words, a consumer must ship the battery back to the Optima Dealer that sold them the item. There are no exceptions.

Shipping my Optima Battery is going to cost approximately $40.00 each way (shipping back the broken battery and paying for shipping a new one.) Again, I have to pay approximately $80.00 in shipping costs to return a malfunctioning battery and get warranty service to deliver a new one.

There are a number of Optima Battery dealers in my neighborhood - just a few miles away. Optima Battery says I can't use them - though their warranty promised in writing that I could. All I was supposed to do was visit "an authorized OPTIMA distributor or dealer" for my warranty claim. However, as stated Optima Battery refuses to honor it's clear warranty provisions.Desired Settlement: Optima Battery needs to offer a replacement battery at a local authorized Optima Battery distributor in my area. Optima Battery needs to honor it's warranty terms - otherwise their warranty is totally meaningless.

Business

Response:

Mr. [redacted],

Review: Optima batteries have a three year warranty. I purchased the battery in November 2010, therefore my warranty ended in November 2013. However I contacted Optima in September 2013 to get a replacement battery. They did not honor my warranty because I did not have my receipt. Optima advised that when I found my receipt call back and they would replace my defective battery. When I found my receipt I sent all the information to optima. They denied my claim because I purchased my item from ebay. Even though I purchased my battery from ebay them company I purchased it from is an authorized dealer of optima batteries. Once they realized I did purchase the battery from a legitimate source they informed me that the retailer should honor the warranty. The retailer can not honer the warranty because it is out of the warranty period. When I called optima the warranty period was not over. I feel the manufacture which is Optima should honor the warranty for the battery and take care of the consumer.Desired Settlement: I would like a new D34/78 or a refund of $188.00

Business

Response:

Hello Mr [redacted]

Please see the attached OPTIMA warranty document.

Page 1, para 1, "the original sales receipt is required . . ."

Page 1, para 1 "If a replacement is necessary . . . upon return to an authorized OPTIMA dealer/distributor . . "

Page 1, para 4 "Replacement will be honored by an authorized OPTIMA Battery distributor or dealer."

The warranty process is to contact your original dealer for warranty service. When you made contact with OPTIMA in September, this is what you were informed by our customer service team. In addition you were informed that your dealer may ask for a receipt or documentation of your purchase. OPTIMA did not deny your warranty in September, we informed you of the warranty process - which is not handled directly between OPTIMA and the consumer, but between the dealer ([redacted]) and the consumer (you).

Although it is 2 months beyond the term of your warranty, and warranty is supposed to be handled directly between the consumer and dealer, we are willing to make an exception because we value you as a customer.

If you ship your battery at your expense to me directly, we will charge and test your battery. If your battery needs to be replaced, we will provide you a 20% discount to purchase a replacement battery directly from our website. If your battery charges and tests ok, we will ship it back to you at our expense. If you accept this proposal, please let me know (with your preferred shipping address) and I will ship you the appropriate packaging for your battery, at OPTIMA's expense.