Exide 12V mfd Feb 2014 reads 12.49 out of box

I can't say if all batteries are sold this way, but we got them dry-charged, and we had to add the electrolyte before sale. This was supposed to give them a "70% charge."

 

I've read up on batteries quite a bit because of my tablet and most suggest leaving it at 80% if you are going to store it for a relatively long time. Unfortunately, it's hard to get scientific evidence to explain why, etc.