This was a replacement battery for my DC35, whose original battery's life is now down to 8 minutes or so. This new Chinese one lasted 5 minutes, stopped, and hasn't worked since despite being charged up overnight. So back it goes.
Amazon instructions don't say how to return it, other than "don't use the postal service". I'll find out tomorrow (by going to a post office) whether this is bollocks or not but meanwhile, anyone had to return a similar battery and how did you do it?
It's not bollocks. Lithium batteries not fitted in a device are not allowed. But I've no idea of the odds of RM detecting it (when they'll probably just seize and destroy it).
Robin formulated the question :
With similar problem in returning a lead acid battery, via another courier service - the seller suggested I called it an 'accumulator' rather than the lead acid battery it actually was. The same courier service had quite happily delivered the replacement battery, without a problem.
OK. So how are you supposed to return such then? Use a courier? I'm sending it back in teh original box which has a large hazmat sticker on the back.
IIRC, RM do have a suitable service. Which will cost.
When I had to return something to Amazon - just unwanted, not faulty, I followed the on-line instructions and printed a pre-paid label to use DPD (I think). I then took the parcel to the local agent.
Have you used Amazon's "Return or Replace Items" menu? The last time I used it that presented the options that were available for the particular item in question.
DPD and USP are usually ok with batteries IME.
When I faced that situation, Amazon told me to dispose safely, and sent a replacement.
Chris
Royal mail have a list of things they will not accept through the post;
+1
I did have to rant at them that there was no safe way to return it, but after that they just refunded (I had complained the product wasn't up to the advertised spec).
Theo
There were no options like that. The returns process just gave me a generic address label with a promise to refund postage. Then it said "don't use the postal service" but offered no alternatives, and didn't mention any courier.
I returned some binoculars in January. That was easy. It gave me a Royal Mail label to print out which I attached to the box and just handed it in at the PO. Simples.
Since earlier, I've done the chat thing with Amazon. After some to-ing and fro-ing he suggested DPD and Hermes. But, look on any of these carriers' web sites (DHL, DPD, Hermes), they all specifically exclude lithium batteries. Perhaps Amazon thinks I should use a carrier pidgeon.
Of course and there were none.
I'm going to have another go at them. The instructions in this case are inadequate (unlike for other things I've returned).
That seems remiss of them. I don't know if in practice Amazon are geared up for callers in person but in principle I can't see how they could justify refusing to accept it from your hand :)
That's what I'm going to be bugging them about next chance I get. Or perhaps they want me to drop it off at the Returns Centre in Scotland. Only 483 miles from here.
UPS collects stuff like this, or did a few months ago, down side is you need to be in for a time window for them to collect the item. Brian
If you can get the system to generate the label then UPS seemed happy, I mean it could have contained a crocodile for all they cared. Brian
Thanks for the suggestion, I will check with UPS. However, for this item there is no possibility to generate anything other than what I have already mentioned.
RM to offer a service for things like laptops with battery. Not sure what it's called.
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