I have never bought a new battery that did not have sufficient charge to start my cars. The distributors keep the batteries charged because if they don't the batteries will deteriorate. If the battery does not sit on shelve too long it will be fine without charging. I actually go to my local Interstate battery distributer and buy my batteries there and change them in their parking lot. If the battery I bought did not start my gusto I would give it back to them and get another one.

Chuck