Needed a new battery
 

'cause during cranking the voltage dropped to 7v and the dash lights would blink out.

Usually the dealer charges the most but this time the pricing came out
dealer, $105
well known auto parts chain, $104
hole in the wall place, $79 to $114.

How can these places charge equal or more than the dealer? Isn't the dealer the default place to go for uninformed consumers?

By comparison, the dealer wanted $110 for a head gasket and one cheapie chain wanted $24.

Nope, dealers are only that in name, most work the same as a parts house.

I learned that when I had to get my car fixed. Took it to the dealership thinking it would be quicker, nope, still had to wait on everything.

I returned a battery after two years and paid mostly for a new one with pro rating charges and anything else this guy could come up with. I phoned the manufacturer and asked them about there policy. They made sure all my money was returned by the dealer.

Glad to hear you got your money back!

This battery was from '04 so I guess we got out money's worth.