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Ben2World 
Group: Members
Posts: 23906
Joined: Jun. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 3:48 pm |
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Last week, I purchased online five 2016 and ten 357 button type batteries at Battery Blowout. I paid $4.50 total - shipping inclusive -- for 15 batteries. The items arrived today in an evenlope -- $0.85 first class mail.
Walmart charges $1.28 for one 2016 cell and $9.60 for a pack of ten nameless 357's.
To get the equivalent of my 15 batteries from "el cheapo" WalMart would cost $22.40 - before tax!
I used to be skeptical (you know, Made in China and all), but this is my second "cheaper than cheap" online battery purchase. The first batch (ten 2032's) worked just as well as store-bought ones.
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The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -- St. Augustine
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| Post Number: 2
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big_load
Group: Members
Posts: 21817
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 3:54 pm |
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I'm equally perplexed with the business model. I've had good experiences and bad with cheap on-line batteries of various types.
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| Post Number: 3
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big_load
Group: Members
Posts: 21817
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 3:58 pm |
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That reminds me of a similar thing with foam earbud covers. A bag of 100 was cheaper than a bag of 10. I didn't want to store 90 more covers, so I bought a bag of 10, but they sent me a bag of 100 anyway.
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| Post Number: 4
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Ben2World
Group: Members
Posts: 23906
Joined: Jun. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 4:00 pm |
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I suspect that stores routinely make enormous markup's -- so they can still pay rent, make payroll and taxes and generate profits -- even after so-called 80% OFF BLOWOUT SALES! And of course, supplies like batteries seldom get steep price cuts, and are thus reliable props for store profits.
Still, to ship batteries from China -- and then to mail 15 of them to my address -- all for $4.50 just seem too cheap to be sustainable -- and yet, there it is, apparently thriving...
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The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -- St. Augustine
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| Post Number: 5
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TigerFan
Group: Members
Posts: 1992
Joined: May 2010
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 4:08 pm |
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I hear ya.
I got a new Nikon point-and-shoot camera and the "official" battery that Best Buy sells is $40. Gulp. Poked around Amazon and found a Japanese brand and, for about $20, I got two batteries, a travel charger, a car charger adapter and a floating strap.
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Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
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| Post Number: 6
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Ben2World
Group: Members
Posts: 23906
Joined: Jun. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 4:13 pm |
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Yeah, I kick myself for all the times I bought batteries and cables from brick/mortar stores! Ouch!! Never again.
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The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -- St. Augustine
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| Post Number: 7
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Marmotstew
Group: Members
Posts: 8673
Joined: May 2006
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 4:14 pm |
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A) You got ripped off, the batteries are all dead.
B) Most people pay premium price for batteries because they don't have time to order them.
C) Everyone else on earth is a robot.
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I'd rather be Facebooking watching videos of cats licking themselves
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| Post Number: 8
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Lamebeaver
trail? I don't need no stinkin trail!
Group: Members
Posts: 16198
Joined: Aug. 2004
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 4:40 pm |
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That's a pretty good price!
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| Post Number: 9
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treelinebackpacker
Group: Members
Posts: 402
Joined: Aug. 2011
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 5:06 pm |
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Being a tech guy, I've had a LOT of bad experiences with off brand batteries.
Many die quickly, after initially performing well (rechargeable). I've seen many leak, or even burst/cause damage.
Many non rechargeable discharge even when not in a device, or do not have the same total capacity to discharge.
Some even don't provide improper voltages or even do not fit properly.
In the end, be cautious and I wish you luck.
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| Post Number: 10
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no_granola
minor deity
Group: Members
Posts: 12549
Joined: Dec. 2004
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 7:03 pm |
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Walmart is NOT 'el cheapo.' Walmart is 'el markupo.' Target is cheaper. Shatter the illusion people.
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The difference between people who think for themselves and those that follow the herd is that thinking people aren't afraid of reality.
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| Post Number: 11
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wycanislatrans
Group: Members
Posts: 2256
Joined: Nov. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 7:32 pm |
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I buy American...
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| Post Number: 12
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charadeur
Group: Members
Posts: 162
Joined: Mar. 2011
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 8:51 pm |
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That is a darn good question. Even if they had a 90% markup it hardly seems like they were making enough to pull them from stock and package them for mailing.
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| Post Number: 15
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Echo
Group: Members
Posts: 6363
Joined: May 2008
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Posted on: Jan. 07 2013, 9:37 pm |
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I wonder the same on books. I find people selling mine for a penny plus $3.99 s&h and wonder where did they even get a copy and how I am supposed to sell mine at full price if that is what Amazon sellers are offering. How do they make money on penny books?
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If Light is in your heart, you will find your way Home. (Rumi)
The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water, but to walk on the earth. Chinese proverb
http://echo-echosvoice.blogspot.com/
http://duffybarkley.blogspot.com/
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| Post Number: 16
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RevoRunner
Group: Members
Posts: 2079
Joined: Aug. 2006
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Posted on: Jan. 08 2013, 10:29 pm |
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Perhaps the distributor sold the batteries to "blow-out" retailers as out of date or below quality benchmark products for pennies on the dollar. This could explain why battery blowout can afford to sell for such a low price. I'm sure even Walmart has standards that they won't go below to help provide a better product. And this might explain why batteries from cheap retailers might not last as long or work as well.
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WINNING!!!
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| Post Number: 17
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pass-thru
Group: Members
Posts: 1300
Joined: Jul. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 08 2013, 10:31 pm |
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batteries have one of the biggest mark-ups in retail
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| Post Number: 18
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Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
