Stay Away From Counterfeit Sony Watch & Coin Batteries
Sony is the world's largest manufacturer of watch batteries and their quality is considered to be number one by the leading watch movement manufacturers. Unfortunately, because this brand is so popular, it is commonly counterfeited overseas in China. The importation of counterfeit Sony watch and coin cell batteries is a big problem here in the United States.
Many distributors and dealers are knowingly and unknowingly selling counterfeit Sony watch and coin cell batteries. The counterfeit packages are commonly found on eBay and Amazon. Over the course of the past 12 months our company has regularly purchased samples of Sony batteries on both eBay, Amazon and other online marketplaces and we have encountered an alarmingly large percentage of counterfeit product.
Our company is the official importer of Sony brand watch and coin cell batteries since 1993. We have prepared a series of photographic comparisons between the original product and the counterfeit product to enable customers to know the original from counterfeit.
So what's the big deal, it looks like a Sony package and the cells seem to work okay. Why should you care?
- A counterfeit Sony package, may or may not contain an actual Sony manufactured battery. Since these batteries are packaged by an unauthorized party, there is no guarantee of the quality of this product. SONY will NOT guarantee a counterfeit product. Even if the battery is actual Sony, it could be old or recycled stock. If you cannot trust the package, the date code on the package may be inaccurate. Old stock or counterfeit batteries will have lower mAh capacities and will die prematurely. They may be more prone to leakage, which can damage your device. Sony will not warranty any damages to a product if the battery proves to be counterfeit.
- By purchasing original packaging, it is guaranteed you are purchasing actual Sony manufactured product. Such product comes with the full guarantee of the manufacturer. You will have no concerns as to the authenticity or the quality of the product.
The most commonly counterfeited packages are the following models: CR2032, CR2025, CR2016, SR626SW (377), SR621SW (364) and possibly other models. We have created side by side photographic comparisons of the original and the counterfeit product. By viewing these comparison photos you will be able to authenticate both original and counterfeit packages.
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SONY 621SW (364)Front
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SONY CR2025Front
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SONY CR2032Front
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SONY SR626SW (377)Front
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Shipping Lithium Coin Cell Batteries Illegally by air mail.
Another important issue is the proper handling and shipping of lithium coin cell batteries. Lithium coin cells are highly regulated when shipping by Air methods. It is against the law (worldwide) to ship lithium coin batteries by air mail. If you purchase on eBay, an online marketplace or ecommerce site from an overseas seller and they arrange to ship you the product by postal air mail, this shipping method is illegal. Please pay attention to the location of the shipper and the shipping method. First Class international postal mail no longer travels by ocean, it travels by air. If you purchase from overseas and the product arrive by postal mail, you are collaborating with the seller to ship your product illegally. Better to buy from a seller located within the country of your residence.
Product Safety Warning: Purchasing bulk packed lithium coin cell batteries.
Lithium coin cell batteries if handled improperly can be extremely dangerous. Consumers should only purchase lithium coin cell batteries which come properly packaged from the manufacturer in retail packaging. Consumers should avoid purchasing discounted lithium coin cell batteries that are bagged or wrapped in plastic, or contained loose in O.E.M. bulk style trays. Lithium coin batteries if swallowed can cause extreme harm, even death. A battery can become lodged in the esophagus or an intestine and can burn or perforate soft tissue, which can cause death or severe trauma. Properly packaged batteries are less likely to end up in the hands of small children or infants.
Counterfeit Battery Sellers (updated April 2016)
THIRD PARTY SELLERS ON AMAZON.COM
Fast Supply World
Family photo
GamePlanetinc
Basic Batteries & Deals
Best Deals Daily
Prime 1 Parts
WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS IN USA
National Distribution Warehouse Inc.
COUNTERFEIT BATTERY DISTRIBUTORS AND EXPORTERS
Matsushima Electric (HK) Co., Ltd, Hong Kong
COUNTERFEIT BATTERY SELLERS ON EBAY (APRIL 2016)
(USA sellers)
Quik-parts
Richcorrao
Energycastle
Brooklynbatteryworks
Canadian_sold (Canada)
Msgamesnsupplies (Canada)
Digitalgu2 (South Korea)
Itecoguy (South Korea)
Epictrading (Hong Kong)
Amazon and eBay have almost no qualification process for insuring product from 3rd party vendors be original and authentic. If fact, many of the counterfeit Sony samples we encountered from Amazon.com were fulfilled by Amazon's own fulfillment centers. Dealers who knowingly sell counterfeit Sony batteries often post the photo of an original Sony package. Should you receive counterfeit product, we strongly recommend you voice your opinion by posting a complaint against the seller and posting a complaint with the Better Business Bureau against the seller. Such sellers should be banned from selling on marketplace sites.
Remember counterfeit packages are not warrantied by Sony and they may not contain Sony manufactured batteries. The buyer should beware and stay away from counterfeit product.
