Do AW still NOT make a Flat-Top battery?

[AndriaD]

No disrespect intended, Andria. But can you afford a trip to the ER after your mech explodes from using a rewrapped ICR cell harvested from an old laptop computer?

Genuine AW batteries are more expensive because they are hand-picked and individually tested to be the best batteries from a huge selection of Japanese batteries. That extra measure to ensure that you are getting a high quality, consistant, and dependable battery is worth the extra $2 to me.

Well that's why I said I'd be using my Efest batteries with the mech -- I don't do that sub-ohm thing at all, so regular Efests should be perfectly adequate. I also use a Kick, which would function as a fuse and simply cut the thing off before it would explode. Aggravating, sure, but not life-threatening.

I could probably afford to get like one AW at a time... but considering shipping charges... that's not really cost-effective either. It just seems crazy to pay $10 for one 18350 battery.

Andria

 

[Maurice Pudlo]

No disrespect intended, Andria. But can you afford a trip to the ER after your mech explodes from using a rewrapped ICR cell harvested from an old laptop computer? That what a fake AW battery is.

Genuine AW batteries are more expensive because they are hand-picked and individually tested and found to be the best batteries from a huge selection of Japanese batteries. That extra measure of quality control to ensure that you are getting a high quality, consistant, and dependable battery is worth the extra $2 to me.

I would contact the vendor you got the fake batteries from, and tell them that you just found evidence that the batteries sold to you are counterfeit batteries. Send them the links that prove the batteries are fakes. They may not be aware that they are fakes.

What happens to the battery cells that do not become AW batteries?

I assume the rejected cells are identical to the AW wrapped cells, or is there some level of finishing work done to distinguish them from others.

Maurice

 

[AndriaD]

I would contact the vendor you got the fake batteries from, and tell them that you just found evidence that the batteries sold to you are counterfeit batteries. Send them the links that prove the batteries are fakes. They may not be aware that they are fakes.

I didn't see this part of your post before I replied, before... but how do I give them "evidence" when it's basically hearsay? I trust what I'm reading here, I have no reason not to trust it, I've gotten such good advice from all you guys that have been around vaping awhile -- but the fact that *I* trust it won't mean squat to the vendor. That's why I said that I can't get a refund; I've had, and used, the batteries, for close to a month, and just now reading this which makes me doubt their veracity. I trust what I read here, especially from a few very dependable sources (such as yourself), but to the vendor, it's just something I read on a forum.

So I'll keep those batteries, and use them in my Sigelei and Vamo, and use my Efest batteries in my mech. They're not "hi amp" batteries, so I have no reason to doubt them, and no reason not to use them in a mech that I don't use for sub-ohm vaping, and I do use a Kick with, set to about 9 watts. The coil in the atty that I always use with the mech has a resistance of 1.4 ohms. So I'm pulling 2.54 amps, if the Steam Engine calculator can be trusted; I don't think 2.54 amps with a regular Efest 18350 battery is going to trigger anything catastrophic.

Andria

 

[Baditude]

What happens to the battery cells that do not become AW batteries?

I assume the rejected cells are identical to the AW wrapped cells, or is there some level of finishing work done to distinguish them from others.

Maurice

Who knows? Maybe they sell their rejects to Efest.

 

[AzPlumber]

I didn't see this part of your post before I replied, before... but how do I give them "evidence" when it's basically hearsay? I trust what I'm reading here, I have no reason not to trust it, I've gotten such good advice from all you guys that have been around vaping awhile -- but the fact that *I* trust it won't mean squat to the vendor. That's why I said that I can't get a refund; I've had, and used, the batteries, for close to a month, and just now reading this which makes me doubt their veracity. I trust what I read here, especially from a few very dependable sources (such as yourself), but to the vendor, it's just something I read on a forum.

So I'll keep those batteries, and use them in my Sigelei and Vamo, and use my Efest batteries in my mech. They're not "hi amp" batteries, so I have no reason to doubt them, and no reason not to use them in a mech that I don't use for sub-ohm vaping, and I do use a Kick with, set to about 9 watts. The coil in the atty that I always use with the mech has a resistance of 1.4 ohms. So I'm pulling 2.54 amps, if the Steam Engine calculator can be trusted; I don't think 2.54 amps with a regular Efest 18350 battery is going to trigger anything catastrophic.

Andria

You may get a positive outcome but you'll never know if you don't try. More importantly you may save future customers from purchasing counterfeit batteries.

 

[Stosh]

I didn't see this part of your post before I replied, before... but how do I give them "evidence" when it's basically hearsay? ....

Andria

Perhaps you could get a statement from Andrew Wong, the AW in the name of the company, he posts here.

IMR16340 / IMR14500 / IMR18350 / IMR18490 / IMR18650 / IMR26500 *Part 2*

 

[AzPlumber]

MORTIS e and Andria you two could ask your question here http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ers-exporters-america-shipping-worldwide.html He is an authorized AW dealer here on ECF

 

[AndriaD]

It's simply not worth it to me to make a big fuss when it's been this long since I bought them, but I won't buy from that vendor again, and I'll more than likely leave negative feedback about the counterfeit batteries. I'm not the kind of person who relishes confrontation even when I know I have every right, particularly when there is so little at issue -- 2 18350 batteries. If it had been a huge purchase for a lot of money, I might feel differently.

As it is, I simply feel depressed. C'mere, WTA...

Andria

EDIT: I just sent feedback to the seller, acknowledging that I realize I have no recourse, but that I am very unhappy to learn that these "AW" batteries are in fact counterfeit -- they look completely genuine, down to the holographic logo, but if AW doesn't make flat-tops, then they simply cannot be authentic. Depending on the vendor's response, I may or may not publicize their name.

Now I think I'll just go to bed, and that nicotine that came in my vapemail today can damned well wait till tomorrow to be bottled in glass.

 

[MORTIS e]

^ I'm really sorry you feel depressed Andria. Seriously, I wish I could give you a hug. I was about to post the following but then I copied what I'd written to clipboard and refreshed the page to see any more comments on the thread. Since you already sent feedback to the seller, I guess I'm too late. Here anyway is what I wrote;


Andria, I understand your reasoning for not making a fuss with the vendor. Yes its not a huge loss of cash and you have used them for about a month. There is however another way to benefit the situation without being confrontational with the vendor. If I were you I would go back to the vendor with the batteries and tell them, for example: 'I purchased these batteries from you on xxx date and I have no intention of returning them, however I have confirmed through the most reliable sources that they are counterfeit AW. I thought that you must not have realized it, otherwise I'm sure you would not have stocked them for resale. I'm simply giving you heads-up so you can protect your customers and your business'.

You can also show the vendor the detail about the batteries that indicate them as fake, and if the vendor acts surprised or disagrees with your claim or asks about your sources, don't get into a debate about the credibility of internet forums. Politely tell them to 'research the details I indicated about the battery and you will find all the convincing proof you need.'
Then kindly bid them good day and walk out with a pleasant smile.



I on the other hand will go back to my shop and start bustin' the place up in a fit of rage!!...... just kidding

 

[AndriaD]

^ I'm really sorry you feel depressed Andria. Seriously, I wish I could give you a hug. I was about to post the following but then I copied what I'd written to clipboard and refreshed the page to see any more comments on the thread. Since you already sent feedback to the seller, I guess I'm too late. Here anyway is what I wrote;
.
.
.
I on the other hand will go back to my shop and start bustin' the place up in a fit of rage!!...... just kidding

Heh... I'm just sitting here vaping my face off with a fresh addition of WTA to the tank. It may not be *wholly* this battery situation making me feel this way, but maybe just a bad day in general; nothing really major, till this news, but just not really feeling "right" all day, which is probably just my stupid brain suddenly realizing that I haven't had a cigarette in some time, and throwing a fit about it. So thank heavens I have WTA.

But hey, I did get vapemail today; the nicotine I ordered from WizLabs for my freezer stash (FDA: neener neener), and a straight cone to use with my new lil Igo-S (it's so cuuuuute!). So not a total waste of a day. Or maybe the WTA is starting to kick in.

Steven Wright defines depression as anger without energy. That fits.

Andria

 

[MORTIS e]

Heh... I'm just sitting here vaping my face off with a fresh addition of WTA to the tank. It may not be *wholly* this battery situation making me feel this way, but maybe just a bad day in general; nothing really major, till this news, but just not really feeling "right" all day, which is probably just my stupid brain suddenly realizing that I haven't had a cigarette in some time, and throwing a fit about it. So thank heavens I have WTA.

But hey, I did get vapemail today; the nicotine I ordered from WizLabs for my freezer stash (FDA: neener neener), and a straight cone to use with my new lil Igo-S (it's so cuuuuute!). So not a total waste of a day. Or maybe the WTA is starting to kick in.

Steven Wright defines depression as anger without energy. That fits.

Andria

Ah that's better yeah just enjoy the new toys. And I've always been a fan of Steven Wright. Have a good night......

 

[Griff.J]

AWs all have hollow recycling symbols on them. If the recycle logo arrows are solid black it's most certainly a fake. The new hologram AW stickers react to ultra violet/black light and show "VOID VOID VOID VOID" throughout the sticker if it's legit.

Top is legit, Bottom is el Fako. (I pulled the AW stickers off the fakes).



Also re: the OP's picture.. that AW sticker is way too large, the older black stickers were about 1/4 smaller.

( Edit: Bah, windows and pictures, they were sideways on my phone, straight in windows, and sideways in the post again.. )

 

[pnyc]

Fake AW hologram has been around. How to tell?

AW Batteries - Authorised Dealers

My own AW 18350s are flat tops -- the "AW" logo is that holographic thing.

???

Andria

 

[pnyc]

Quick search in Alibaba. Looks like your seller got their fakes here:

Alibaba Manufacturer Directory - Suppliers, Manufacturers, Exporters & Importers

 

[dice57]

No disrespect intended, Andria. But can you afford a trip to the ER after your mech explodes from using a rewrapped ICR cell harvested from an old laptop computer? That what a fake AW battery is.

Genuine AW batteries are more expensive because they are hand-picked and individually tested and found to be the best batteries from a huge selection of Japanese batteries. That extra measure of quality control to ensure that you are getting a high quality, consistant, and dependable battery is worth the extra $2 to me.

I would contact the vendor you got the fake batteries from, and tell them that you just found evidence that the batteries sold to you are counterfeit batteries. Send them the links that prove the batteries are fakes. They may not be aware that they are fakes.

Yeah, what Bad said. An email, and a threat of fraudulent sales will often lead to a credit on ones bank statement, or something like that. Contacting AW and the counterfeit seller takes no more effort than, well responding here.

It's simply not worth it to me to make a big fuss when it's been this long since I bought them, but I won't buy from that vendor again, and I'll more than likely leave negative feedback about the counterfeit batteries. I'm not the kind of person who relishes confrontation even when I know I have every right, particularly when there is so little at issue -- 2 18350 batteries. If it had been a huge purchase for a lot of money, I might feel differently.

As it is, I simply feel depressed. C'mere, WTA...

Well, at least you didn't spend $145 for a supposed "excellent" Authentic rba that was much less than excellent, and rarely gets used. Feel better Or how about the Free e-cig trial offers? hmm??

The path of the Vaper is often filled with stumbles and wrong choices, but mistakes shared enlighten and benefit all in the world of vape. Personally don't use anything under an 18650, so is of no personal concern, but it does arm me with excellent info to share with other vapers who may be led down the counterfeit hole. or something like that.


Vape long and Prosper.!!!

 

[Pete54]

Two quick points.
I'd be willing to bet that the vendor you bought those from will continue to sell them, even after you "point out" that they are fake. Secondly, If you can't afford to spend a couple of dollars more for a real AW, how on earth did you ever afford to smoke?

 

[Robino1]

Two quick points.
I'd be willing to bet that the vendor you bought those from will continue to sell them, even after you "point out" that they are fake. Secondly, If you can't afford to spend a couple of dollars more for a real AW, how on earth did you ever afford to smoke?

That made me think back....way back. I remember being able to scrounge what I needed for a pack of cigs even though we were flat broke. Taking bottles back to get deposit money back, digging in couch cushions, checking all coat pockets..... It was easier to find the smaller amount for cigs than it would've been to come up with larger amount to order something online and figure in the cost of shipping.

Sometimes things are tight financially. It happens. Even if vaping is cheaper than smoking, there is still the cost that needs to be met at the time of the ordering.

It's funny how I've theoretically saved almost three grand yet I don't have that extra cash laying around. That money that I've 'saved' has gone to pay down debt, mini vacations, groceries, gas...... It has made it easier to live....in more ways than one

 

[Stosh]

Quick search in Alibaba. Looks like your seller got their fakes here:

Alibaba Manufacturer Directory - Suppliers, Manufacturers, Exporters & Importers

As stated by AW himself:

All resellers in Alibaba.com are selling fakes - Beware!!

IMR16340 / IMR14500 / IMR18350 / IMR18490 / IMR18650 / IMR26500 *Part 2*

 

[AndriaD]

Two quick points.
I'd be willing to bet that the vendor you bought those from will continue to sell them, even after you "point out" that they are fake. Secondly, If you can't afford to spend a couple of dollars more for a real AW, how on earth did you ever afford to smoke?

I really have no earthly idea, to be honest -- it was a scramble for every penny and every pack -- sometimes my husband had to roll up pennies from his jar to go get me a pack.

Up till recently, we've enjoyed a lot more breathing room, since not buying the expensive coffin nails, but just lately it's been a little tighter.

Andria

 

[AndriaD]

As stated by AW himself:



IMR16340 / IMR14500 / IMR18350 / IMR18490 / IMR18650 / IMR26500 *Part 2*

I don't know where this seller got them. I had previously bought some regular eFests (not those suspect hi-amp kind) from this seller, and was very happy with them, so I trusted them again -- I pointed that out in the msg I sent them, but that I would not be buying anything from them again. I'm sure they're just heartbroken over that. But I did also say that I'd be publicizing this at ECF (though I haven't yet named them, and may not, if their response is in any way adequate), and they might be a bit more nervous about that.

We'll see.

Andria