authentic 18650's

[Zutankhamun]

I use a trusted site and buy 18650's from them. I read from someone else on this forum that they request authenticity guarantees from their provider. Is it common practice for you guys to request authenticity guarantees with your 18650's?

 

[Bad Ninja]

I buy from illumn .com.
Well known trusted retailer, since long before the vape scene. They are a legit brick and mortar store in California, and are one of the safest bets for legit cells.

 

[smacuser]

Not if it's a trusted vendor on ECF; Orbtronic.

 

[Zutankhamun]

Thanks @Bad Ninja always here to answer my questions. I come from the UK so I use another recommended supplier Myepack.co.uk Great reviews everywhere and recommended on ECF. I take it I don't need to request any kind of guarantee?

 

[Bad Ninja]

Thanks @Bad Ninja always here to answer my questions. I come from the UK so I use another recommended supplier Myepack.co.uk Great reviews everywhere and recommended on ECF. I take it I don't need to request any kind of guarantee?

I don't.
I've re wrapped several cells and the markings under the factory wraps are good.
I've never had an issues with my cells and actually have a few that are two years old and still working fine.

 

[K_Tech]

As others have said, buying quality batteries from trusted/reputable vendors is the way to go. To echo a few other posts, I stick to Illumn, Orbtronic, and RTD, and I have not been disappointed yet.

 

[Big Me]

Ash (MyEpack) is to be trusted. He's always been a straight-up bloke. And to answer your question: No, you don't need to ask for any authenticity guarantee.

Torchy (big_f_d_d on eBay) and Ecolux (ecoluxshop | eBay) on eBay are also two trusted vendors.

 

[sonicbomb]

Authenticity guarantees are not worth the ones and zeros they're written on. Purple Efests have a scratch and sniff authenticity system, and we all know what their deal is.
I will vouch for myepack too.

 

[Mike 586]

I've just never opened a quality product, whether a battery pack for a power tool, a UPS system or anything else and said "Oh hey there's an (Obrtronic, AW, Efest, Hohm-xxxx, anything with Fire in its name or a wrap with graphics on it) inside this thing." Its just about always Sony, Samsung, LG or Panasonic if I can ID them at all, since they often go unmarked.

For brands, give me Sony, Samsung or LG any day. Maybe a Panasonic.

Call me crazy for preferring them but they have these weird little things going for them that I kinda like seeing. Things like uninterrupted business histories, phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, spec sheets, meeting many UL 1642 safety requirements, representatives willing to make on-site visits to consult etc. The fact that they've been used by industry for things like power tools, UPS systems and the like from the start doesn't hurt either.

EDIT:

I should also add, that when I see a "manufacturer" lacking all those things, which makes them an instant write off, seeing things like carrying competitor brands on their official website if they even have a website, as well as consumer oriented wraps, just serve to re-enforce my dismissal of the brand.

 

[sonicbomb]

If they both cost the same, which would you choose?

or

 

[juggler86]

Ive bought batts from illumn and orbtronix as well as ebay. I rewrap all my batteries and so far all my sammys and LGs from ebay have been legit. I will not buy sonys off ebay though or illumn or orb. I use orange for my samsungs, green for my HE2 and pink for my HE4. I mark all married batts with a sharpie and keep them in a case together, that i label with a date. Single batts i just date with a fine point sharpie.

I know i will get ripped for buyimg batts off ebay, but they have text on the unwrapped sells as orbs and illumns.