Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

[Driller]

Several years ago I purchased a drill and batteries from a well known manufacturer. There was an offer at the time which gave lifetime replacements for the batteries and this is what made me go for this particular model. Well, several years on, I now need the batteries replacing and I phoned them to arrange it and they duly gave me a place about 150 miles from my location to send them off to at my own expense. So off I go to find a courier and what do you know, there are no couriers that will accept batteries! So I find myself with an effectively worthless lifetime warranty because I can't physically deliver the batteries myself. So is there anything I can do here? Clearly they knew ( and I didn't) that couriering batteries is not possible and thus severely limits the effectiveness of their warranty. Yes, of course, on the face of it they are being up front - they will repair or replace - as long as you deliver the batteries to them. But on a practical level who knows, until you have to do it, that you can't courier batteries? Is there anything I can do here? Thanks for any help. BTW, on a practical level, I can't just courier them and hope for the best as they are about £300 to replace and obviously, as the couriers don't allow batteries to be couriered, I can't insure them in case they go missing.

[enquirer]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

On the face of it, you might well have a valid claim - your purchase was directly influenced by the Warranty, so it effectively forms part of the contract. They offered the deal presumably knowing that virtually no-one would be able to take it up. That said, trying to pursue a claim like this is something to be avoided if possible.

Have they no local agents or reps who pass through on a regular basis? If a local store sells their drills and batteries - would they be willing to accept or exchange them? It may well be that they send returns from time to time, so they could go on company transport.

[Driller]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

Have they no local agents or reps who pass through on a regular basis? If a local store sells their drills and batteries - would they be willing to accept or exchange them? It may well be that they send returns from time to time, so they could go on company transport.

Indeed enquirer that'll be my next step - although the batteries are not made any more - only repaired. I was just trying to ascertain my legal base before I start phoning them back...I'd like to be able to quote some legal stuff to them..SOGA type of stuff...but I'm not sure what.

[EXC]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

I'm surprised the courier won't handle the batteries. Surely drill batteries are delivered all the time.

Have you tried other couriers?

[enquirer]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

If they are no longer made than that suggests that they may be able to say that the whole thing is indeed coming to the end of its life. That would make claiming much more difficult.

Trying to come to some sort of local arrangement is definately your best bet. I would also look out for redundant stock - if they aren't made any more (and presumably as the drill won't accept any other it too is obsolete), than someone, somewhere, will have got stuck with some that they can't sell.

[Driller]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

I'm surprised the courier won't handle the batteries. Surely drill batteries are delivered all the time. Have you tried other couriers?

No couriers will "legally" and knowingly courier batteries. But as you say, and this is the madness, batteries of all kinds are couriered daily. The catch is if you need to insure the delivery - and I definitely do. Then you have to declare what it is you're insuring and you can't say batteries because they don't allow that. Catch 22.

[Driller]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

If they are no longer made than that suggests that they may be able to say that the whole thing is indeed coming to the end of its life. That would make claiming much more difficult.

I see what you're getting at but they are quite happy to replace or repair...as long as the batteries are delivered to their doorstep.

Trying to come to some sort of local arrangement is definately your best bet. I would also look out for redundant stock - if they aren't made any more (and presumably as the drill won't accept any other it too is obsolete), than someone, somewhere, will have got stuck with some that they can't sell.

Yes I'll try to get some sort of local arrangement made if I can.

[seduraed]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

Are They lithium batteries? if so TNT have special facilities for transporting them http://www.tnt.com/express/en_gb/sit...batteries.html .

[Driller]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

Are They lithium batteries? if so TNT have special facilities for transporting them http://www.tnt.com/express/en_gb/sit...batteries.html .

Yes seduraed they are Lithium Ion. But OMG what a fuss...and no doubt huge expense!

"TNT Express will accept Lithium Batteries in Dangerous Goods shipments for transport but only from specifically approved customers and with restrictions for the different origin/destinations, and services/products offered."

I'm a consumer and not a business that can absorb the cost!!!

[des8]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

All lithium batteries are class 9, miscellaneous dangerous goods.
For transport they have to be specially packed and specific forms completed.
Hence couriers will only accept these items for transport from specifically approved customers (and this includes TNT!)

crossed posts!

[Kati]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

TNT will ship lithium batteries - if they are packaged correctly: http://www.tnt.com/express/en_au/sit...cells_and.html

they have a pdf of their battery packing/shipping rules here too:http://www.tnt.com/content/dam/tnt_e...eries_2012.pdf

???

[des8]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

Kati, the site is Australia applicable

&they still only accept from approved customers!

[MissFM]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

I don't know whether this is of any use:

http://tamebay.com/2012/11/royal-mai...batteries.html

It's an odd situation and, as you say, rather a catch22. I wonder if shipping them inserted in the "device" would be permissible (or even feasible)? :noidea:

[Johnboy007]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

Royal Mail Batteries - new alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmium (NiCd)	Including D, C, 9V, AA, AAA and AAAA alkaline batteries. Must be new and sent unopened in their original retail packaging. Surround with cushioning material e.g. bubble wrap. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.
Batteries - lithium ion/polymer batteries contained in equipment	Each package must contain no more than four cells or two batteries installed in equipment. The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per package. Watt-hour rating must not exceed 20Wh per cell or 100Wh per battery. Each cell and battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3. Batteries are subject to these tests irrespective of whether the cells of which they are composed have been so tested. Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management programme as specified in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Cells or batteries that are defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged, are forbidden. Any person preparing or offering cells or batteries with or in equipment for transport must receive adequate instruction on the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities. Cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit. The equipment containing cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. Lithium ion/polymer batteries sent in isolation or sent with but not contained in equipment are prohibited. Please see www.royalmail.com/internationalprohibitedgoods
Batteries - lithium metal/alloy batteries contained in equipment	Each package must contain no more than four cells or two batteries installed in equipment. The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per package. The lithium content must not be more than 1g per cell or 2g per battery. Each cell and battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3. Batteries are subject to these tests irrespective of whether the cells of which they are composed have been so tested. Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management programme as specified in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Cells or batteries that are defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged, are forbidden. Any person preparing or offering cells or batteries with or in equipment for transport must receive adequate instruction on the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities. Cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit. The equipment containing cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.Lithium metal/alloy batteries sent in isolation or sent with but not contained in equipment are prohibited. Please see www.royalmail.com/internationalprohibitedgoods

[Driller]

Re: Warranty on drill batteries effectively worthless - help!

I think what I'll have to do is ship the batteries with a courier and not tell them it's batteries and insure the shipment with a third party insurer for loss and theft. Sneaky I know but I can't see any other way around it.