VTC5s for $16/ea... maybe.

[inswva]

Found this yesterday:

Sony VTC5 30A 2600mah 18650 Battery

And, since I'm a notorious battery hoarder, I pulled the trigger on a pair before researching this vendor which reportedly has sketchy customer service and is known to sell knock-off products. I never got any kind of email confirmation of my order and checked out as guest so I can't view my order status online. However, I did call customer service this morning and the rep informed me my order would be shipping today and I would receive an email with the tracking information. We shall see. When/if they arrive, I'll compare them to my genuine VTC5s.

$16 is pretty steep but I couldn't resist. The "Limited supply, first come, first served" language in the ad got the better of me. Beats the $20-$50 per cell prices I'm seeing elsewhere though... assuming they are the real deal.

Anyway, I'd advise against ordering these until my order ships, is received, and I can confirm they are genuine cells. However, I'm posting this up in the event someone wants to roll the dice like I did. If they are the real thing, they sure won't last very long.

 

[TomGeorge]

When you click on the link, the info next to the picture says that it is Brand: Effest

 

[inswva]

When you click on the link, the info next to the picture says that it is Brand: Effest

Yeah, I noticed that after I ordered. I'm hoping it's a typo. I'm not sure if Efest ever re-wrapped VTC5s or not. I know they re-wrap VTC4s. We'll see what happens.

 

[inswva]

No tracking email. Shocker. I smell a CC dispute coming on.

I definitely can say I don't recommend anyone try ordering these. Even if they happen to ship and are genuine, the vendor sucks.

 

[Fuzzy Bruce]

I have ordered from them before, in fact, a couple of times. Never had a problem but handling time before the ship seemed a bit much.

 

[inswva]

I have ordered from them before, in fact, a couple of times. Never had a problem but handling time before the ship seemed a bit much.

Good to know. Thanks for the head's up.

 

[Rickajho]

That place sure do seem to have a very odd hodgepodge of batteries... Good luck.

 

[inswva]

Well, they actually shipped but I had to call again today to find that out. I don't why it's so difficult to send me an email. But, whatever. They should be here Monday. I'll update the post when they show up as to whether they are genuine or not.

 

[Harlen]

Stick to name brands .
In the attempt to save a buck you lost more bucks .

 

[inswva]

Stick to name brands .
In the attempt to save a buck you lost more bucks .

Uh, yeah. They are Sonys.

Or at least I hope they are.

 

[Fictitious Character]

Well, they actually shipped but I had to call again today to find that out. I don't why it's so difficult to send me an email. But, whatever. They should be here Monday. I'll update the post when they show up as to whether they are genuine or not.

I know of a couple other places advertising them for around that price if you want to be our guinea pig.

 

[inswva]

I know of a couple other places advertising them for around that price if you want to be our guinea pig.

I think I'll be set for awhile after receiving these. I also have two OEM VTC4s on the way which will make like 20 18650s in my stash.

 

[Fictitious Character]

I think I'll be set for awhile after receiving these. I also have two OEM VTC4s on the way which will make like 20 18650s in my stash.

I was hedging on this site Sony VTC 5 18650 2600mAh LiMN (Flat Top) – ElectronicStix.Com for 12.45 but now they are sold out when I just went to look at them again. I am to cautious sometimes.
plus they had some long post on the page with them defending their authenticity.

 

[inswva]

*sigh*... and they are fake. I'm not terribly surprised given this vendor's reputation. They appear to be re-wrapped Samsung 25R cells as are most of the fakes. I've got an email into the vendor now. If they give me a hard time I'm just going to dispute the charge with my CC company. I should have researched this vendor before making the impulse buy. Live and learn, I guess.

Two on the left are genuine, two on the right are the fakes. The "ring" around the top of the fakes is bigger than the real one. Also, the scan codes aren't nearly as dark and the wrappers are a different shade of green.

 

[Mark in Florida]

*sigh*... and they are fake. I'm not terribly surprised given this vendor's reputation. They appear to be re-wrapped Samsung 25R cells as are most of the fakes. I've got an email into the vendor now. If they give me a hard time I'm just going to dispute the charge with my CC company. I should have researched this vendor before making the impulse buy. Live and learn, I guess.

Two on the left are genuine, two on the right are the fakes. The "ring" around the top of the fakes is bigger than the real one. Also, the scan codes aren't nearly as dark and the wrappers are a different shade of green.

You know, I may have misread something somewhere, but I would swear that the scan codes on the authentics were supposed to be kind of faded, and the fakes are always brighter and crisper. I remember thinking that the clone makers would have to learn how to fade their printing a little bit. I could be wrong tho.

 

[inswva]

You know, I may have misread something somewhere, but I would swear that the scan codes on the authentics were supposed to be kind of faded, and the fakes are always brighter and crisper. I remember thinking that the clone makers would have to learn how to fade their printing a little bit. I could be wrong tho.

Good point... but, I'm 99.9% sure the two on the left are genuine. I think the biggest tell of a fake is the gap around the positive end of the cell. The RU on the bottom is also way off on the supposed fakes.

 

[juicynoos]

Scan codes faded on authentic.

 

[inswva]

And back they go with an RMA number (finally). Now I'll see how long it takes them to issue a refund. They never even questioned my reason for returning them, didn't dispute they were fake, nothing. It's a shame that a lot of other folks are probably ordering these and may not realize they are counterfeits when they receive them.