Even at $10 each, I get very few batteries from my Craigslist ads. With
core charges at $12 to 18+, the do-it-yourself guys simply turn their old ones in for the core refund.
The best places to find batteries in quantity are those who deal with end-of-life vehicles whose batteries are not going to be replaced by a new one. Wrecking yards, towing yards, smaller shops who part out vehicles. The good- These guys will get you lots of batteries. The bad- They're also the ones that you will have tougher competition to get batteries from.
You can pay a good price and still make decent money dealing in batteries if you deal in quantity and have a strong buyer. I pay $10-11 each on any automotive battery, whether it's a tiny 26 series or a big 78 or 65 series. On the big deep cycles and commercial batteries, it's more. My buyer buys from me by type (automotive, light commercial, utility, etc.) rather than weight, so I don't have to weigh them when I buy, which is convenient.
Good luck in your venture.
Bookmarks