BJ’s Advertises “30-Month Free Battery Replacement” But Refuses to Honor It, Sparking Consumer Backlash

A BJ’s Wholesale Club member purchased an IBX car battery labeled with a “30-month free replacement” guarantee, only to be denied the promised service after the battery failed—caught in a runaround between the store and corporate headquarters. Consumer Hazel Domain exposed the issue on TikTok, where her video garnered over 1.5 million views. She pointed out that neither the battery packaging, in-store displays, nor promotional brochures mentioned any terms about “partial refunds” or “pro-rated depreciation.” Moreover, the manufacturer’s official website clearly states that a free replacement is available within 30 months. However, BJ’s claimed the actual policy is controlled by an “internal team” and has not been publicly disclosed. Notably, IBX batteries are produced by the same manufacturer as Interstate batteries, which previously faced a class-action lawsuit alongside Costco over similar issues. Experts and online commenters argue that BJ’s actions may violate Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules requiring advertisements using the word “free” to clearly disclose all material limitations. Viewers have already begun urging others to file complaints with their state attorneys general, the FTC, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).