Interstate Battery

This place is a hidden gem in West LA. Sounds funny to say this about a car battery shop, but really it is.
It’s important to know that this location on Pontius Ave is a wholesale business, primarily a distribution warehouse for local auto parts dealers and auto mechanics. It is *not* set up as a retail business for walk-​in customers needing 1 battery. So don’t expect a waiting room, brochures, price lists, customer service reps, anything like that.
The employees there do multiple jobs: drive the trucks, stock the warehouse, test batteries… and of course they know the product and can install car batteries. They don’t have a lot of contact with retail customers, so they seem genuinely pleased when someone shows up to buy an Interstate battery. Just walk to the front of the shop area and wait for someone to come over and greet you. Be patient, they might be in the middle of something.
Be ready to decide. Batteries are not that costly and their labor charges are extremely reasonable. Whoever offers to help you is happy to do so, but they do have regular warehouse duties to get back to. It may help if you browse the Interstate product line and prices ahead of time at the company’s main website.
If you need something cheap, don’t be afraid to mention it. You might be offered a refurbished, like-​new battery for a much lower price.
Today I was helped by Frank, and a couple years ago I had a similar great experience there getting a battery for my wife’s car. Both times I was in and out smoothly, with a good battery at a good price. I was surprised to see they had only two Unilocal reviews, so i decided to add my report. I hope this doesn’t spoil the «hidden gem» situation!

Great deal! Great service! I’m gonna keep this sorry and sweet. I got a refurbished battery for a fraction of the cost and it came with a 1 year warranty. The guys were all super nice and real fast about it. I had walked there since my car was at First Class Muffler half a mile away and I hadn’t really thought through the whole walking with a heavy ass battery plan. But then the manager saw me stretching and said he couldn’t let me walk and gave me a ride instead. Above and beyond; really nice!

Avoid buying their batteries. I bought a battery from them a year ago and it left me stranded yesterday. When AAA came to give me a jump, the tech said the battery was dead and would not accept a charge and confirmed my alternator was working just fine. This is a second car for my family so the battery only had 2 thousand miles on it. I called Interstate and they told me my battery, that I paid over a $ 100 for — has a six month warranty — which is ridiculous.

Interstate Battery in West LA at 2321 Pontius Ave.
After following the advice of my car guru, Robin Depry of Collector Car Services, I called my local Interstate battery warehouse to inquire about prices for a new car battery. I got Steve on the phone who checked his stock and gave me some GREAT prices for a refurbished battery. There prices were about 65−75% lower than the prices I had gotten at other places. I had purchased from them in years past and these prices and the customer service made them a #1 contender. Steve was professional and friendly, he told me to see Manny if he wasn’t in. I came in, talked to Manny, got my battery installed and my charging system (alternator and starter) checked for free. Manny was very nice, professional and efficient, he made quick work of my issue and sent me on my way. I was very happy to pay him for the product and service I received. Now, how often can you say that?