any problems with buying battery on e-bay?

[vk60402]

I found a new 9 cell battery on ebay where the claim is made that it's compatible. The battery costs about 50 whereas lenovo would charge about 3 times that for the similar battery.

Have any of you purchased batteries of ebay that were not Lenovo parts? Any feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks.

[ThinkRob]

I recently bought a battery from an eBay seller for my X61s which failed spectacularly (developed a VERY loud, quite scary buzzing when charging after the very first use). I also bought an extended-capacity battery (again from an eBay seller) for my X40 which has been absolutely flawless for the last several months (i.e. for as long as I've owned it.) I've had two X6x batteries from Lenovo -- an 8-cell and a "slim" 4-cell -- and both have been fine, although the 4-cell started to decay noticeably after just a couple months.

Personally I think it's about the same -- you can get duds from either source. I'm willing to take a chance given the cost difference (and given the success rates). YMMV though.

[ajkula66]

I stay away from "compatible" stuff at all costs, especially for a fairly newer machine.

Apart from Outlet, there are genuine batteries (even if they're lightly used I'd prefer them over no-name-knock-offs) on fleabay, not to mention that if you post a WTB ad in the forum's Marketplace you'll likely find a brand new battery from a reliable source...

My $0.02 only...

[vk60402]

Thanks for the feedback. Will the aftermarket battery work with the thinkvantage software? For example, at the moment, the power management tells me the temperature, part no, etc... Will these features be available if I insert an aftermarket battery?

I realize that I should probably always stick with the OEM, but a few years ago even the OEM were catching on fire and now that my T61 is out of warranty, I'm not sure that the OEM will be much safer. If it were to catch fire, would IBM replace the battery or the notebook (had I purchased the OEM)?

[richk]

It will work with power management, but newer machines give you a warning in the task bar. My experience has been that sometimes they are OK, but most are junk

[SHoTTa35]

Yeah, i really wouldn't go there either. They are better than they were in the past (the "compatible" or "for" batteries) but i still rather OEM stuff. I say you can get new OEM stuff from guys here and on ebay for almost as cheap as those "For" batteries.

[royco32]

I bought an Ebay compatible battery for my son's T43 (my hand-me-down). It would not charge and gave an error. They replaced it for me with no problems and the 2nd is working fine - have it for ~6 months now. The only comment I have is that the remaining life isn't displayed as accurately as the original. Once it gets below 20% it drops off like a rock, not nice and linear like the original. Usage on battery power is pretty good, no complaints there. I'd buy again and would check the seller's rating carefully - I only buy from 98%+ sellers and one that's in the US.

[emeraldgirl08]

I've purchased one T4x/R5x series battery that's been running pretty good

I bought it for $16 about four months ago. Yeah. I was taking a big chance buying something that cheap but come on... I was desperate The original battery would last about twenty minutes.

Needless to say the fleabay battery runs fine and I made sure to check the ratings and look at the feedback of the seller. My battery used to get about 2:20 with a fresh charge. I believe I get about almost the same these days. I am using a battery threshold program on both Windoze and Linux to start charging at 85% and to stop at 90%. I hear that the battery will last longer if it is not continually being charged to 100%

[goofyGAguy]

I hear that the battery will last longer if it is continually being charged to 100%

Not exactly.

[Eudoxus]

I wonder about those batteries which are advertised as "original" or "genuine" and cost somhere between the price of Lenovo and those replacement batteries? Are they fake or just bought from Lenovo outlet, for example. I need to buy one, but do not want to take the risk.

Here is an example
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPII.dll?V ... 3064wt_976

[ajkula66]

That looks like the real deal. Given the seller's location, I'm pretty sure they get them from a factory-related source...

[vk60402]

I wonder about those batteries which are advertised as "original" or "genuine" and cost somhere between the price of Lenovo and those replacement batteries? Are they fake or just bought from Lenovo outlet, for example. I need to buy one, but do not want to take the risk.

Here is an example
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPII.dll?V ... 3064wt_976

Hm... I don't think that's the original battery. Most IBM's I know have UL Logo on the battery. These don't have UL (UL in a circle), just the CE markings.

Not saying it will be a problem for you, but I just don't think it's genuine.

Also, just to give you all an update. New battery just came in, so I'm re-calibrating my battery gauge. Original battery was made by Sanyo, the new one is by Sony (according to the power manager). Date of manufacture was 2009-10-20, so I'm a happy camper (for now).

[Eudoxus]

Good point. But on the other hand what would be the problem for them to fake UL Logo? I can't see any good reason.

[vk60402]

Good point. But on the other hand what would be the problem for them to fake UL Logo? I can't see any good reason.

Well, faking UL logo could get them in a whole lot of problems. Much easier not to bother faking it but claim that it's just as original

[Eudoxus]

Does that make any difference when one has faked Lenovo logo and whole bunch of others that are found on the battery?