Fake batteries?

[shazzabell]

I recently purchased some Duracell batteries on eBay. But I now suspect they could be fake. Would they be dangerous to use?

[fo3nix]

What makes you suspect that they're fake?

[shazzabell]

The packaging looks a bit dodgy and they were pretty cheap.

[Dagman]

There was a prog on tv showing 2 different duracell batts. the poor one's + end was slightly sunken into the end of the battery, the better one's stuck out from the end. Don't know if they're dangerous, more likely to be useless but never ever mix batteries with other brands or even if they're the same label but look different, that's when they can heat up or explode!

[gary baldy]

Why did you buy batteries on ebay?
Most shops sell them you know and they are not THAT expensive.
You also have to ask yourself why anyone would want to SELL batteries on ebay.
Star Wars figures and Foot Spas maybe....... but batteries?

[shazzabell]

I've checked them against an old Duracell I had lying about and it said 'Made in Usa', whereas these ones say 'Made in PRC'.
Anyway, even if they aren't fakes I wont be buying batteries on eBay again. Lesson learnt. Thanks all.

[trevHCS]

Personally I'd chuck them in the bin as you don't know what chemicals they've used. Might not even work as batteries, but I doubt they are all that good and are much more likely to overheat or leak.

Trev

[fo3nix]

Yea from what you say about them I'd agree with TrevHCS. Even if they don't explode or anything, they could leak or do some damage to the electronics you're putting them in.

[heathfield]

Why not send one to Duracell and ask their opinion?
I have no problem in buying some of the more expensive re-chargeables on eBay from reputable UK sellers, and they've ended up costing me exactly half of what I'd pay at, for example, PC World. The reason the sellers use eBay is to increase their sales, obviously. And some will sell more stuff this way than over the shop counter.