The GNB QuickSmart A Win for Retailers and Consumers
2 July 1999
The GNB QuickSmart A Win for Retailers and Consumers
ATLANTA--(AutomotiveWire)--July 1, 1999--GNB Technologies reports that its revolutionary QuickSmart(tm) Battery Tester/Charger, introduced in November 1998, is delivering both reduced warranty expense and higher levels of customer satisfaction for battery retailers.
"We are finding that the unit not only performs as expected, but that our store employees and our customers are delighted with the speed and simplicity with which the warranty issue is brought to resolution," said Larry Harding, Battery Buyer for Advance Auto Parts.
With more than 1,000 units deployed at retailers such as Advance Auto Parts, Les Schwab Tire, and SAM's Clubs, QuickSmart is delivering up to 50% reductions in warranty claims. The new technology is the first on the market to test and charge automotive batteries in a matter of minutes and provide a definitive "good" or "bad" evaluation. A "good" result indicates that the battery is not defective and still useable.
Industry statistics show that 60% to 70% of batteries returned are simply discharged, not defective -- drained because of a problem with the vehicle's electrical or charging system. Prior to QuickSmart, there was no way to accurately test a discharged lead-acid battery to diagnose its condition and determine the source of the problem.
"QuickSmart combines the functionality of a battery tester and a battery charger, and works better and faster than anything available today," said Steve Purcell, Vice President of Marketing, for GNB Technologies. "Using patented software algorithms, QuickSmart tests the battery and gives a definitive "good/bad" answer in an average of five minutes. If the battery is good but discharged, QuickSmart will completely recharge it in 15-30 minutes and get the battery back in service."
Old battery testing methods produce inconclusive "charge and retest" results, requiring a battery to be recharged for several hours or as long as overnight before it can be accurately tested. Many retailers have a "loaner" program to get the motorist back on the road while his or her battery is recharged and retested. However, consumers often will not tolerate the inconvenience of having to retrieve their batteries and return the loaners, so the retailer is forced to issue a warranty credit on what may be a good battery. This results in unnecessary costs for the retailer and ultimately, for consumers. Mr. Harding says that Advance will save time, space and money by utilizing QuickSmart and eliminating its loaner program.
QuickSmart also is helping retailers in ways that were not expected. "Once QuickSmart has determined that the battery is good," says Mr. Harding, "our store associates can test the car's alternator and, in many cases, sell them a new one. Helping a consumer find and solve the real problem goes a long way toward keeping that consumer loyal to our store."
For More Information, contact: Steve Purcell - Vice President, Marketing GNB Technologies 375 Northridge Road, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA. 30350 PH: (770) 551- 9171 FAX: (770) 551- 9188
NOTE TO EDITORS: GNB Technologies is an integrated provider of power technology products. It manufactures and recycles lead-acid batteries for the automotive, recreational boating, farm, heavy duty truck, cable TV, electric utility, electric vehicle, photovoltaic, lift truck, railroad, telecommunications and uninterruptible power supply markets in more than 50 countries. GNB can be found on the internet at www.gnb.com.
(tm)QuickSmart is a trademark of GNB Technologies Inc.
