I called AutoZone to confirm they had a battery for my motorcycle and was told that they had one in stock. I own a 2002 Honda 750 Nighthawk. That same day I went to the store and went up to the counter to purchase the battery. Again, I told the AutoZone employee the year, make and model of my motorcycle and she looked it up on the computer. I was given a battery and told that it was what I needed. I bought the battery and went home.
I added the electrolyte to the battery and replaced my old battery. When I went to start my bike nothing happened. It turns out that I was sold the wrong battery for my bike and that the terminals were reversed. The second I connected the wires it shorted out my entire electrical system. The battery I was sold looked exactly like the one in my bike. It was exactly alike (Except that the terminals were reversed of course).
Additionally, the battery I was sold could only be installed one way. After I saw that the terminals were reversed I tried to turn the battery around so that I could hook the cables to the right posts. It wasn't possible. The cables wouldn't reach.
The next day, I took the bike to a local shop and the bill came to just over $1500.00. I called AutoZone and the manager Darrin, advised me to come in and fill out a claim. This was a complete waste of time because the district manager called me nearly two weeks later and informed me that I picked out the battery and that I was responsable for the error.
In two weeks this was the best excuse that the district manager could come up with. Anyone who has ever purchased a battery at AutoZone knows that you go there and tell them what type of vehicle you have and that they get you the battery that their computer says is correct.
During my discussions with an AutoZone employee I was told that more than likily, I was sold a battery for a 1980's era Nighthawk because the computer didn't even list a 2002 Honda 750 Nighthawk.
On 6/30 I filed a small claims lawsuit against AutoZone for the damage that resulted due to their negligence in selling me the incorrect battery. AutoZone has a duty of care and selling unsuspecting consumers the incorrect parts fails to meet that duty of care miserable. I will keep everyone updated on how the case goes.
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