Customer Service from Duracell -or maybe not.

Torkijo

Thought i would share my experience.

We recently went to get my Son's camera out and found the batteries in it had leaked and destroyed it:






The batteries were all new and in date but came from different packets - 3 were Duracell Plus and 1 Duracell Ultrapower. They had been sitting in the camera for about a month to 5 weeks.

After giving Duracell all the information, sending the photos and letting them know they are more than willing to see the items i got the following response:

Hi Torin and thanks for your email.

It is a concern to us when it is alleged that our batteries have leaked into any device and something which we do take seriously.

In this case, as the batteries have been mixed we will be unable to reimburse you for the damaged camera.

We understand that this may not be the outcome you had hoped for, because the batteries have been mixed, this will be the case of the leakage.

We apologise we are unable to assist you further than this.


Kind regards,

Chris


Now i understand if some had been used and other not or some were Lithium and other Alkaline but this is the first time i have heard its my fault if i use same branded products from different packs - it makes me wonder how i am to power the r/c car that requires 8 batteries if i cant mix packs.

Anyway, thought i would share this shining example of customer care from Duracell with you all, enjoy reading and i will try and explain to my 8 year old that he will have to wait until Christmas before he gets a working camera as Dad mixed the batteries.

paddyrg

http://www.duracell.co.uk/en-GB/faqs.jspx

Q. Can I mix different battery types?
A.No, different batteries are designed for different purposes. Mixing a lithium battery with an alkaline battery will not improve device performance. In fact, it will reduce performance and may even damage your device or cause battery leakage or rupture. As well, do not mix different battery brands within a device. Doing so will reduce overall performance and may also cause battery leakage or rupture. We recommend using the same type of batteries within a device.

Guess that's what happened :-( I guess they call Duracell Ultra Power and Duracell Plus different brands??

Torkijo

paddyrg wrote: »

http://www.duracell.co.uk/en-GB/faqs.jspx



Guess that's what happened :-( I guess they call Duracell Ultra Power and Duracell Plus different brands??

I thought the brand was Duracell but apparently not.

paddyrg

Torkijo wrote: »

I thought the brand was Duracell but apparently not.

I guess they have a bit of wriggle room on that - 'Ford' is a brand, but so is 'Mondeo', 'Sierra', etc...

Torkijo

paddyrg wrote: »

I guess they have a bit of wriggle room on that - 'Ford' is a brand, but so is 'Mondeo', 'Sierra', etc...

Your right, but the mixed packs bit makes me wonder how your supposed to power some remote control cars etc that require 6 batteries when unless you go to a supermarket most shops only sell them in packs of 4

montyrebel

doesnt everyone know not to leave batteries in items when they are not in use?

Torkijo

Yes, but do you take them out of every childs toy that is in your household?

BargainGalore

I am sure I seen it on packs of batteries not to mix them before

Duracell do state on there web site not to either.

http://www.duracell.co.uk/en-GB/faqs.jspx

• Q. Can I mix different battery types?
  
  A. No, different batteries are designed for different purposes. Mixing a lithium battery with an alkaline battery will not improve device performance. In fact, it will reduce performance and may even damage your device or cause battery leakage or rupture. As well, do not mix different battery brands within a device. Doing so will reduce overall performance and may also cause battery leakage or rupture. We recommend using the same type of batteries within a device.

Sooler

They mean don't mix different types of Duracell. Using multiple packs of the same type is OK.

Duracell Plus aren't the same a Duracell Ultrapower


http://www.batteryshowdown.com/results-lo.html

Not all Duracell are alike

Duracell from Poundland (Duracell Standard) are genuine Duracell batteries sold in twin packs but are definitely of lesser performance compared to other Duracell batteries and you would be better off with other discount shop batteries. Duracell SIMPLY, Duracell's budget brand (£2.99 for 4 cells), performed similarly to standard Duracell, so they are likely based on similar technology. However, the standard Duracell costs less.
Duracell PROCELL and Energizer Industrial are good batteries for the price and compare to their retail cousins, especially when price is considered. However, they are only available from online resellers in boxes of 10 upwards.
The difference between Duracell Plus Power and Duracell Ultra Power is more or less negligble. It's only at very high cut-off voltages that the Ultra Power begins to show better performance (giving an overall slightly higher mWh result), but it still doesn't account for the significant cost increase. The in-built battery tester on the Ultra Power is useful – but for nearly the same price of the whole pack, a voltmeter with built in battery tester can be purchased from Maplin.

peachyprice

From the Duracell website:

So, what’s the difference between Duracell Plus, Ultra and PowerPix batteries?

Duracell Plus is the no 1 selling battery suitable for everyday use and is available in AA, AAA, C, D and 9V sizes. This is an Alkaline battery incorporating Super Conductive Graphite technology. It lasts longer than other ordinary alkaline batteries and also makes it a reliable energy source.


Duracell Ultra, used to be known as Ultra M3, is designed to be the most powerful Duracell alkaline in all devices and is also available in AA, AAA, C, D and 9V sizes. It incorporates High Performance Cathode technology, making it last much longer than ordinary alkaline batteries.

http://www.duracelldirect.co.uk/blog/multi-purpose-products/duracell-ultra-powerpix/

fluffnutter

Torkijo wrote: »

Your right, but the mixed packs bit makes me wonder how your supposed to power some remote control cars etc that require 6 batteries when unless you go to a supermarket most shops only sell them in packs of 4

You buy two packs.