Hcigar making AW batteries now? * No, fakes, see post 6 & 7

[aikanae1]

AW battery-ACCESSORIES-Shenzhen Hcigar Technology Co., Ltd

I just noticed on hcigar's webpage that they show AW batteries. Anyone know about these?

 

[Nermal]

Don't know. It looks like they are just reselling. I do notice they've got a black label instead of the holographic thing you find on the new ones. They are either old, or something else again.

 

[pnyc]

They are fakes with a funny look black AW label. The black AW labels have been discontinued in Dec. 2013.

AW Batteries - Authorised Dealers

 

[Baditude]

My computer won't load the above link in the first post. If the batteries have a black AW sticker, they could be either older stock AW batteries or they are fake AW batteries. Since December 2013, AW has been using a holographic AW sticker.

Fatboy Vapors Alaska, LLC How to spot older counterfeit AW IMR batteries

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-sure-your-aw-batteries-genuine-how-tell.html How to spot the newer counterfeit AW IMR batteries

 

[anumber1]

Just a general comment. I have no idea whether or not hcigar sell genuine AW batteries but...

Hcigar is in the business of selling products that resemble other companies products.

I would trust that the "AW" batteries sold by them are batteries that resemble AW batteries. Call me surprised if they were genuine!

 

[oplholik]

Found this in a search:

"AW Batteries has no mainland China distributor: no Alibaba vendors or vendors such as Heaven Gifts supply genuine AW cells - they are all counterfeit."

I did e-mail AW just a bit ago, so waiting for a reply.

 

[oplholik]

Just received this reply from Andrew(AW).

No. They are selling fakes.

AW battery-ACCESSORIES-Shenzhen Hcigar Technology Co., Ltd


Regards,

Andrew

 

[Kemosabe]

FT has fake AWs up for sale
really disappointing seeing how they *used* to be known for selling authentic Sonys. now i dont really trust them for that anymore.
perhaps these are the hcigar cloned AWs.
after the huge outrage from vapers, FT photoshopped the AW out of the product photos. but its still very concerning because lots of vendors purchase their stock from FT, and users are suspecting that the cloned batteries will have the sticker on them once shipped. the need to find authentic AW dealers just rose (as if it wasnt already high enough). thanks goodness for RTD.

personally, i am a fan of well cloned devices- mods, attys, drip tips, etc. basically everything EXCEPT batteries (and chargers). thats entering a world of hurt nobody wants to be a part of.

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1793602

 

[oplholik]

Batts are one thing I don't try to get for cheap, and from non authorized dealers. I just don't want to be betting my face on em.
I can see getting a good deal from a reputable and authorized dealer, but from FT, and others, no thank you.

 

[pnyc]

FT - 'AW Style' WTH

 

[classwife]

Just received this reply from Andrew(AW).

No. They are selling fakes.

AW battery-ACCESSORIES-Shenzhen Hcigar Technology Co., Ltd


Regards,

Andrew

That's plain frightening !

 

[Kemosabe]

FT - 'AW Style' WTH

Exactly. Aw is not something you want a "style" of. You want AW, plain and simple.

 

[Kemosabe]

That's plain frightening !

Terrifying. For new vapers and experienced ones alike. As you know, any bad press affects us all

 

[classwife]

I edited the thread title to make it noticeable and helpful

 

[Baditude]

Battery counterfeiting
"This is a growing problem and all APV users need to be aware of it.

This is what happens: the counterfeiters buy reject Li-ion batteries in bulk, strip the covers off, and re-cover them with labels that change them to look like popular brands. In this way they can take a cell bought for 10 cents, re-work it, and sell it as for example an AW battery with a retail price of $10. The profits are very high and this practice is growing. It means that you never really know what battery you have unless you buy from somewhere with a verified supply chain. For example, all AW batteries offered for sale on Alibaba are counterfeits, and possibly dangerous."

-- Rolygate, ECF forum administrator and battery expert http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/129569-rechargeable-batteries.html

I will add to the above that many Ebay and Amazon vendors purchase their AW batteries from Alibaba, possibly not knowing that they are fakes. With the 30 amp Sony batteries becoming so popular lately with the sub-ohm enthusiasts, watch for fake Sony batteries coming onto the market, too.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/batteries-chargers/568840-sure-your-aw-batteries-genuine-how-tell.html

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/batteries-chargers/581174-how-identify-counterfeit-sony-batteries.html

 

[oplholik]

I just looked thru FT's batts, and saw "AS-IS Sanyos". What the heck are those??

 

[Baditude]

I just looked thru FT's batts, and saw "AS-IS Sanyos". What the heck are those??

Who knows? Who cares? I would no longer purchase batteries from FastTech. If you're smart, you'll purchase your batteries only from reputable vendors who can verify their source of their batteries directly from the manufacturer.

 

[oplholik]

I don't even buy batts from B&M's, who knows where they get their batts.

 

[Kemosabe]

I just looked thru FT's batts, and saw "AS-IS Sanyos". What the heck are those??

Idk but I had seen as-is Sony 14500s on ft and the reviewers said a small to medium percentage of them were not able to hold a charge. Old stock I'd assume.

 

[aikanae1]

I don't even buy batts from B&M's, who knows where they get their batts.

This is what I'm thinking too. I know a number of "good" b&m's who buy from distributors that are carrying AW's since that's what people (like me) want. I don't always have a week to wait for them to ship. So where are they getting them? Or maybe I should ask what are they getting? There's probably a good chance that honest retailers have been selling fakes without knowing it (from Alibaba).

The whole thing is kind of a mess.

I know the Sony's and Panny's on FT have been unwrapped and verified, at least in the past because so many couldn't believe they were genuine. Maybe this batch is different?

I know FT has recieved several customer requests for better 18350's like AW's. This was their response.