Eneloop Packaging Question

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I’m new to Eneloop batteries. Recently decided to start using them for my AA flashlights. I first purchased a 4 pack with Advanced charger. Then later I ordered a couple of other 4 packs of just batteries from two other vendors. The first of those 4 packs came today, and they were not in the packaging pictured when I ordered online. They came simply shrunk wrapped in clear plastic, with no other type of packing or manufacturer info. Maybe I’m just being a little paranoid, but this concerned me, because I don’t want to purchase counterfeits. Can anyone confirm that this type of “packaging” or lack thereof is normal, or should I contact the vendor? Thanks for any help.

[admin]

If you ordered from Battery Junction, they pack everything in bubble wrap and shrink wrap.

[admin]

Thanks ran23 for the response. No, I ordered from an Amazon merchant “Horizon Batteries”. I’ve since written them an email and am waiting for a response.

[admin]

Most of my envelops came from BG and I’ve never gotten any that have ever been delivered like that. Maybe things have changed. Eneloops, as far as I know, should come in factory packaging, not packaged in shrink wrapped.

When it comes to cells, there are counterfeits everywhere. It is always best, imnsho, to forget trying to get the very best deal, and focus on buying from a trusted, local, and well-known source.

Now, Horizon Battery is located in NJ, so you would have to think they are legit, but I just visited their website and they don’t sell, apparently, Eneloops on that platform. That makes me curious, to say the least.

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Thanks TH Cone for the feedback. I will post Horizons response to my inquiry.

I paid $11.65 with free shipping for these 4 batteries.

[admin]

You’re welcome.

I’ve never heard of Horizon Batteries before, which is why I looked. They do have a 99% rating on the Big River, so maybe they have a bulk supply of Eneloops that they package in-house. Just because I’ve never seen it, doesn’t mean it isn’t ever done.

It does seem a weird that they sell Eneloops on the River, but not on their own website. Of course, that may be nothing more than than a suspicion from a risk adverse guy.:)

[admin]

Well here it is. I’m gonna take their word for it and keep the batteries.

“We purchase our eneloops in bulk in Germany from Panasonic. Our Amazon listing discloses this (packaged in shrink wrap)

Your eneloops are 100% genuine and new, however if you wish to return them, we will send a prepaid label and refund you completely.

For further clarification, feel free to contact me at 800-648-7239”

Sincerely,

David Schliep
Horizon Battery

[admin]

With something as popular as eneloops that have such a big price difference compared to the ‘regular’ stuff there will always be counterfeits flying abouts. Some honest vendors might even sell fakes without knowing it so you need to make sure the seller where you are getting yours from knows his stuff and is trustworthy, even better if you are able to test the received goods yourself if just for confirmation. The packaging or lack thereof is unfortunately no indication whatsoever for anything as packaging is made in china as well so that’s even easier to get than a fake battery that looks genuine… and like said before, eneloops can be purchased in bulk.

In the end you will have to make the decision yourself, being well informed is the only thing you can really do.

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Thanks Westerdutch for the additional info. I appreciate it.

[admin]

Received the other pack of eneloops in the mail today. They came in the regular packaging.

The only noticeable difference between the two batches of cells are the one that came in the regular packaging and also the 4 that came in the Advanced charger, all have a yellow/orange circle recycle symbol, while the 4 that came bulk from Horizon has a outline of what looks to be a garbage can with an X over it, warning from throwing the cells out in the regular trash.

[admin]

I don’t want to go all Chicken little or anything, but it is usually the tiny details that are wrong on fakes. It’s obviously hard to tell, but I’m interested to see how these perform over the next month or so compared to the ones that came in factory packaging.

Do you have a way to test them, like a multimeter?

[admin]

Sorry, I don’t have a way of testing them. I put one set in one of the flashlights, and the other set of 4 in the second (the two lights are identical other than tint). I’ll let you know if they perform any differently over time. In the meantime, I will not likely order any more of the bulk packaging eneloops.

[admin]

Here are a couple of pics I found online that show the differences I mentioned above…
[​IMG]
[​IMG]
You can also see that there is some difference in the wording also

[admin]

They may have changed their wrapper design recently. I have a pack of AA Eneloops w/charger that I got from Batteryjunction last year and they have the x-ed out trashcan picture. The AAA Eneloops I purchased at the same time from Batteryjunction have the orange logo.

[admin]

Thanks Water-Rat. That’s good to know.

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