Something to consider...the cost of saving a buck.

[Scenic]

So during our boat remodel this winter we decided to replace all the trolling batteries in the boat with Lithium batteries.   Checked out all the brands and then saw one on Amazon we thought we would give it a try.  Came with a 5 year warranty.  What could go wrong with that? 

About a week ago one of the batteries failed.   Contacted the company (as of now we will just keep the name as "the company")  who sold the batteries through Amazon.  "The Company" wanted to immediately transfer all communications to just email.  We stated that we would not be emailing them directly.
 
We explain to them the issue of one battery not holding a charge when put under the load of the trolling motor.  They then proceed to tell us to "use a rubber mallet to open the case of the battery and check each cell pack with a multimeter".  "Once we determine which cell pack it is we will send you a new one to install".   For ME to install?   Oh well it's all plug and play.

First off not everyone has multimeters but we have already indicated to them that we used one to determine which battery was bad.  So back to opening the case, which we were not crazy about either, we proceed to follow their WRITTEN instruction of using the rubber mallet to tap on the battery top.  Well tap tap tap and nothing.   Tap tap tap a bit harder and case cracks. 
 
Back to communications stating that this battery does not open and is now cracked.  Their reply, "oh you have a battery that has screws under the corners. You have to remove the plugs covering the screws in order to see and remove the screws."   Well that would have been good information considering they really went out of their way to hide said screws.
 
I'm done messing with this, how about we just get a recall tag for this battery and you ship us a new one?  Then we learn that a private individual cannot ship a lithium battery over a certain size (and I forget how many amps the max is) through UPS or any of the other major shippers.  According to UPS, new federal regulations state that businesses can ship them but individuals cannot. 

So now we have a situation.....  Can't ship it back, can't use it.  So I guess we wait and see what they are going to do.  In the meantime our other boat will keep in good ole lead batteries that I can buy right here in town.   It would not matter what brand they are if you have to order them and have an issue.

[mike89]

ouch, good luck!!! 

[glenn57]

yea good luck Scenic........one of the many reasons i dont do Amazon!!!!!!!!

[Gunner55]

That's 1 of the reasons why we buy stuff we're not sure we'll even need to finish a project at L & M, no issues with taking things back.............................ever.

[Jerkbiat]

That sucks. Hopefully they stand behind their product. Surprised that Amazon can't make them send you a replacement. You would think they would have some leverage over them.

[Gunner55]

That sucks. Hopefully they stand behind their product. Surprised that Amazon can't make them send you a replacement. You would think they would have some leverage over them.

I would certainly let Amazon know you're having issues with a vendor of theirs, hoping they might get involved. Maybe they've had other complaints about them & want to give them the boot.

[Scenic]

That sucks. Hopefully they stand behind their product. Surprised that Amazon can't make them send you a replacement. You would think they would have some leverage over them.

With Amazon the shipper has to be notified of an issue and have a chance to resolve this issue first.  If a resulotion cannot be reached then Amazon steps in.  We are yet to have a problem with returning items from Amazon.   Just have to jump through the hoops first.   

It really don't matter where you order one from.  If it needs to be shipped you cannot ship it back due to the new federal regulations.   We will probably end up taking this one into Kohl's who is a return center for Amazon.   

That's 1 of the reasons why we buy stuff we're not sure we'll even need to finish a project at L & M, no issues with taking things back.............................ever.

   Maybe would have looked at them to buy one had they sold them. 

[dutchboy]

Ah yes, buying online.......what could go wrong.

Best of luck to you in getting it resolved.

[Steve-o]

I thought you could drop off Amazon returns at Kohls with a return tag.  That might be a loophole for you.

We've has other returns where they said... belive it oe not...  we'll refund u the money, but just keep the item.  I reckon the shipping/restocking costs aren't worth it to the vendor on small price items.

[LPS]

Did you pay with a credit card?  That is another thing that can save you. 

[Scenic]

I thought you could drop off Amazon returns at Kohls with a return tag.  That might be a loophole for you.

We've has other returns where they said... belive it oe not...  we'll refund u the money, but just keep the item.  I reckon the shipping/restocking costs aren't worth it to the vendor on small price items.

Amazon issues you a return tag and then you can take it to Kohls.   But need the return tag first.    The seller has ignored me for the last few days so I just left a message with Amazon. 

Did you pay with a credit card?  That is another thing that can save you.

I did.   I will get this resolved but just do not have the time to email back and forth with this company.   But again this post was more to make aware that if you order these, which most are ordered, you may run into issues shipping them back. 

[Gunner55]

I see that even with the small amperage batteries in some of the electronic gadgets, you're required to take the battery out before returning it now. Safety reasons, I'd guess.

[Scenic]

Received a PAIR of new batteries today.  When asked why I got two I was told because of my inconvenience and to be sure they are both exactly the same.   Supposedly they were out of the model I had ordered.

So the extra one will become a designated electronics battery now.

[LPS]

Fantastic Scenic. 

[deadeye]

Nice to hear things worked out for you.

[Jerkbiat]

Right. Good to know that they took care of you.

[glenn57]

i googled Amazon.....this thread came up.........i see there getting there azzes  SUED!!!!!!!

[Jerkbiat]

i googled Amazon.....this thread came up.........i see there getting there azzes  SUED!!!!!!!

Ya, by a left wing woke door knob.

[glenn57]

The FTC and 17 state attorney generals. Must be all  woke door knobs then.

[Jerkbiat]

Oh. I heard about some woke door knob trying to break up Amazon. Must be something different you are referring to. What is the law suit about you are referring to.

[glenn57]

From what I remember reading, charging exorbitant rates for other businesses using there platform, trying to shut down competitors and a few more I don't recall.

[Jerkbiat]

I see. Might be something different than.

[Gunner55]

  It's not the 1st time they've tried to go after Amazon & I'm pretty sure it won't be the last either.  It's much the same for Apple, Google, Microsoft, & Facebook. They all have a bunch of real good lawyers on their payroll all the time, so..............................

[glenn57]

i'm not an Amazon guy, but have had my brother and son order stuff for me a couple times. i've tried looking for a few things there but find it really hard to navigate to find what i'm looking for. i'm sure its me. and probably  the biggest thing for me is i'm a huge i wanna see it, feel it, and know what i have exactly before i buy it!!!!! that alone is one of the bggest things that keep me from buying anything online. that and my info going to someone or somewhere i have no clue who it is!

my issue is when a bully like that tries to put other, smaller competitors out of business!!!!!! i'll pull for the underdog!!!!!

[LPS]

When you live in the sticks like we do Amazon is fantastic.  Order one day and usually 2 or 3 days later it is at the door is greatly appreciated. 

[Steve-o]

Big box stores (Walmart/Home Depot) killed small town retailers log ago.  Now Amazon is putting the screws to big box stores. 

[Jerkbiat]

When you live in the sticks like we do Amazon is fantastic.  Order one day and usually 2 or 3 days later it is at the door is greatly appreciated.

X2  I do prefer hands on. But that is not always an option for us.