If you have a car, then at some point, it’s likely that you’ll have to replace the battery. However, some people don’t realize that there is a hidden cost when buying a new battery known as a core charge.
The specifics of this charge can vary across retailers – so how does Walmart handle it? Here’s everything you need to know about Walmart’s battery core charge policies:
Key Takeaways
Walmart Battery Core Charge 2022
Walmarts battery core charge program is an initiative for customers to return old car batteries for recycling. This can also be shown as a “Merchandising Fee” on a receipt. If returning a car battery purchased from Walmart in-store, customers can receive a $5-$20 battery core charge refund received in cash or store credit.
Want to know more about Walmart’s battery core charge and how you can get it refunded? Check out the info below!
How much is the Walmart battery core charge when I buy a new battery?
The battery core charge will usually be shown on your receipt when you buy a new battery from Walmart.
If you can’t see it mentioned specifically, it can sometimes be found under a “Merchandising Fee” heading.
Additionally, the amount you have to pay may vary from state to state, but will generally be in the range of $5-20.
Can I get a refund for the Walmart battery core charge?
Yes, if you take your old battery back to a Walmart store, you should usually be able to get your core charge refunded.
However, this may depend on whether you bought the old battery at Walmart or not and if you have the receipt to show proof of purchase.
Rules on core charges are different between states, so if your old battery wasn’t from Walmart, then it is worth calling your local store to see whether their policy allows battery trade-ins from other retailers.
How do I get a refund on the Walmart battery core charge?
If you bought your old car battery at Walmart, take it to the customer service desk along with the original receipt.
Once the receipt has been scanned, the charge will be returned – this may be refunded to your credit card, given in cash, or provided as a discount on your next Walmart purchase.
If you didn’t buy your old battery at Walmart or if you’ve lost the original receipt, then a battery core charge refund may not be possible, depending on the store’s policy which may vary from state to state.
A possible exception to this is EverStart batteries – since these are a Walmart brand and fall under the Walmart warranty, it may be possible for a Walmart employee to use the battery’s serial number to look up details of its purchase in place of a receipt.
To learn more, you can also see my full guide on the Walmart battery return policy, as your car battery may be eligible for a full refund or replacement.
Additionally, don’t forget to see my quick guide on where to find batteries in Walmart!
Conclusion
Walmart places a battery core charge on all car battery purchases, but it is usually fairly cheap and is fully refundable as long as you return the battery to Walmart at the end of its life.
However, if you lose the receipt or bought your old battery somewhere other than Walmart, you should check with your local store whether you can trade it in for a core charge refund.