Going to be interesting to see the reaction of commercial customers when all Advance locations stock Interstate Batteries in the spring.
9 replies (most recent on top)
Interstate just effectively killed their long term dealer network by joining a retailer.
Interstate made a fatal mistake getting in bed with this outfit.
Looks like the new battery program will be a blend of suppliers with Interstate as the primary vendor. Will probably end up like filters never know where it actually comes from. Watch for Korean and Chinese batteries.
Wait until the warranty battle begins!
Free installation of Interstate batteries at the advance stores will be real popular with the commercial customers.
Watch for your new charging stations and shrink wrap equipment!!
Unless Interstate is giving up their truck routes to service shops, this is going to be ugly. Interstate consigns batteries to their commercial customers. If advance has to do consignments, they will surely screw it up and lose money.
What about the Interstate trucks and stand alone battery stores? Looks like AAP just agreed to a distribution network for Interstate trucks to supply their existing dealer network.
I can't wait for this to happen. I have a feeling it will only cause stocking and warranty problems but I could be wrong.