new hybrid battery installation: non-original modules = no core charge refund

On your first post, there seems to something not normal as you paid upfront for a battery with a core charge. Normally at a dealer, there will be no core charge as they get the core right there and then when it's installed. You pay AFTER everything is complete, not before.

 

I've experienced things the other way around.

When a person (or independent shop) buys a battery from the Dealer Parts Department, the dealer literally hands you the new part across the parts counter. Often the core fee is charged since you take away the new part and return the core later. (If ever). They can choose to skip charging the core fee if is to much hassle or they really trust you. But they will come back and charge you the core fee if your core does not meet the qualifications for return. It is a risk on their part.

Internally at a dealer they may choose not to charge a core fee up front. The dealer service department takes the new part from the parts department storage area and brings it over to service. They remove the old (core) battery before putting in the new battery. The dealer has control of the core the entire time. But if for some reason the core does not meet the qualifications for a return, the dealer may charge the fee on the back end.