ComplaintsforMaster Battery, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  01/29/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased an auto battery from them based on their recommendation and it was not the correct battery for the car. I used it temporarily to get the auto home which was 2 1/5 miles and tried to exchange it at the first opportunity I had. The employee at the store said that they could provide the proper battery but would only be willing to give me $35.00 credit for the ***** NEW battery I was bringing back. I think it is completely unreasonable to sell me the wrong battery and expect me to pay an additional $150 to exchange it for the correct battery.

  Business response

  01/29/2024

  ***** came in and ask for a battery for his vehicle which he was not in and he didnt have his old battery to compare with and was asked what size engine was in his vehicle and ***** said a 2.0L and was ask if we was sure and he said yes. The battery he purchased was correct for the 2.0L however he installed the battery in his vehicle that has a 2.4L which requires a totally different size battery. We have notices posted in the store we do not refund installed batteries due to we cannot resale an installed battery as new. ***** provided us with wrong information and didnt compare his old battery that was in the vehicle to one he purchased and neglected to call us to let us no it was wrong. We offered to discount the correct battery at face value which is $35 to be sold as a used battery. I am willing to help him out by selling him the correct battery at cost which is $64 if that will rectify the situation. ***** is welcome to call me to settle this if he would like. 
  ***********************  

  Branch Manager 

  ************

  Customer response

  01/30/2024

   
  Complaint: 21215673
  
  I am rejecting this response because: That is completely false. I told them that I had a 2013 Kia  Optima Hybrid which as far as I know only comes in one engine size. They gave me the battery which they said was the proper battery for my car. It did not fit the car but I used it to start the car one time and get it home.

  When I tried to return the battery and get the proper one, the person I dealt with told me that my $182+ battery was now only worth $35 toward an exchange for a battery that would actually fit in my car. Apparently what I thought as an honest mistake on their part with giving me the wrong battery, is now a very dishonest cover up. I'm sure I would prefer a refund rather than an exchange if the branch manager can't even be relied upon to tell the truth.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  Business response

  01/31/2024

  2013 Kia ****** has either a 2.0L or a 2.4L which the battery sizes are different. I apologize for the confusion as I was going off the information I was given. The Hybrid model only comes in the 2.4L which requires a group 48 battery and not the 124r you purchased. This was a honest mistake on our part with not asking enough questions. If ***** would like to call me and arrange a time he could come to the store I will swap out the wrong battery for the correct one at no charge.  

  Customer response

  01/31/2024

  The manager has made good on the exchange and I no longer have a grievance with them. Thank you for the help.

• Initial Complaint

  04/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On 4/12/23 we called Master Battery and was quoted $50 dollars for a reman 48H battery and the employee stated they had plenty. We then went to the ******* Location and was told they had none and that we had obviously called the ********* location. I then showed him we called the local ************ number we had called for years. He then got very defensive and said we had called the ********* office. I said the price should be the same since it's the same company and he explained it would be 55 dollars, so I said I ok. Then he charges me ***** and I asked why the price difference, and the manager then snatched the battery off the counter and slung it to the other counter and told me I could go somewhere else and buy our batteries. I tried to calm the situation and accepted the higher price and then they charged me tax and they never have in all the years we've done business there. He said I would need to bring a form. I asked him to provide one I could fill out and he declined. I paid it and said I'd send him the info and he said once he received it he would credit my payment card with the charged taxes. I went back to my office and emailed him a copy of our state tax license form with no response of any kind as of now, 4/18/23, after three email requests to him, the general manager and the chief operating officer. They had all my company info in their computer system and claimed they didn't have my tax info even though I can provide many receipts showing they do. 40 yrs in the auto business I have never encountered an employee anywhere, anytime, that was more rude, and quick to anger, as this manager of the ********* location was. I don't need an apology I am just requesting to not be charged the taxes when, as they are aware, I am an auto dealer and have provided them with the tax license they requested. I don't like resorting to this form of resolution but since they won't return my call or email requests I am left with no other choice.

  Business response

  05/08/2023

  This customer came in agitated as soon as he walked in.He said he called and was quoted $50 for a group 48 in a recon and that we had plenty and I explained we did not and I ask when he called did he select ********* option 1 or ********* option 2 and he said *********. He then called the number again while in the store and pressed option one and said "see" I said sir we don't have any in a recon and we wouldn't have told you we did if we were out, as we have been out for weeks and are waiting on them to come in. He then changed his story that his co-worker called in and he was listening to his call and he said he chose *********. He then called his co-worker while on speaker and his co- worker said he chose option 2 which is ********* and that he was confused, and in fact ********* had the recons and we did not. He then became argumentative towards me and I told him he just confirmed what we suspected happened with the call. He then stated to his co-worker we were idiots at which point I took the battery back and ask him to leave if he was going to continue calling us names, He changed his tone and became more reasonable, then when he was told the price he began to start up again about the price and tax. I told him we didn't have any recons but we had them in a value line which was $5 more which are normally $97.99 and as far as the tax goes I explained to him he needed an updated tax form for us to be compliant with the state, which I showed him what one looked like and if he had one or could have someone email it to me prior to payment we could remove the tax. He asked if we could give him one and I said we couldn't provide that and he would need to get an updated one from the state. He paid for the battery and left. Both ********* and ********* locations have similar pricing but are not the same in many cases due to freight charges that vary based on location. The Value line battery is $5 more but carry's a 1yr warranty and the recon only has a 60 day warranty. We tried to accommodate him but he kept arguing over the tax and price. As I cannot break the law to appease the customer by removing the tax where his form that was on file was from 2012 and since Master Battery was under new ownership the state is requiring us to update all tax exempt accounts without exception. If I can do anything more please let me know.

  Thank You

  ***********************

  Branch Manager

  Master Battery *********, **

   

  Customer response

  05/09/2023

   
  Complaint: 19950636
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ********************* - Autos & More Inc

  You should be able to provide the form since you claim to require it.  Our state issued tax form should be sufficient that I sent you and is the same since we originally provided it to the previous owners with no issues. 

  Business response

  05/09/2023

  We cannot provide this as it obtains your business information and account number. The state will only provide this document to the owner and not the supplier. 

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