Guess who shipped the batteries?

[Tricky Dicky]

You may recall my problems earlier in May when it looked like I would have to import replacement LiPo batteries direct from China and could not find anybody who would ship to the UK.

Eventually by a stroke of luck I found some on Amazon but had to wait for them till the end of June to arrive from China. Well those camels finally made it along the Silk Road and they arrived yesterday, and the final courier - Hermes.

This puzzles me as last year I bought a friend one of those emergency battery power packs used to charge phones and tablets and could not find anyone to deliver it including Hermes. It seems one rule for Joe Public but another for commerce.

Richard

[teedoubleudee]

On the odd occassion I've had to post anything with a battery in I'm somewhat ashamed to reveal I always say no when asked. If it can be removed and stored on it's own separately than I do so. I'm only referring to items where the battery (usually a rechargeable) is specific type for that item. I don't send non-rechargeable standard types, AA or AAA etc.

Last week I ordered 40x AA and 40x AAA dry cells from Amazon and they were delivered in their standard cardboard envelope with no addtional precautionary packaging but of course they use their own delivery system rather than PO or Hermes etc.

[Walkingthedog]

It’s really Lithium batteries that are the problem because they can catch fire, ask Boeing. It is easier for couriers to just say no batteries. Obviously those who use a bit if common sense will post ordinary batteries without a problem. When you buy anything with a remore control it akways comes with a fitted battery.

[Tricky Dicky]

It’s really Lithium batteries that are the problem because they can catch fire, ask Boeing. It is easier for couriers to just say no batteries. Obviously those who use a bit if common sense will post ordinary batteries without a problem. When you buy anything with a remore control it akways comes with a fitted battery.

When I was trying to find the batteries in May I did try quite a few UK suppliers mainly RC model shops who all had a selection of LiPo batteries just not the ones I needed. All the shops were willing to supply by mail order so somebody is willing to ship them. I agree LiPo are a fire hazard and recall a friend who is into electric model aircraft telling me of a fellow club member of his putting a model in the boot of his car for it to catch fire. I did note that there are fireproof bags/containers available from model shops and others for the safe transportation of Lithium batteries one would think something appropriate could be used in delivery vans. I think it would be safer all round if couriers could put clearly marked packages in such a container rather than customers simply posting them surreptitiously amongst normal mail which I suspect happens quite a lot.

Richard

[Walkingthedog]

I’m sure you’re right.

[Stese]

the rules on LiPo shipping are weird.... if its installed in a device... no problem... on its own, then it geta tricky. I think some detailers simply don't declare the contents.

[teedoubleudee]

the rules on LiPo shipping are weird.... if its installed in a device... no problem... on its own, then it geta tricky. I think some detailers simply don't declare the contents.

Mobile phones are shipped around the country every day, probably in their thousands and no one bats an eyelid. Yet my daughter had to send her mobile in for repair but the PO refused to accept it! I told her her to take it to a different PO and tell them it was something else!

At one time mobile phones were suppiied with a loose battery which you installed yourself along with your Simm by removing the back of the case. Now the battery is permanently installed, the case is sealed and the Simm is fitted in it's own tiny external slot so you cannot remove it anyway! Just another example of built in obsolence!

[Tricky Dicky]

the rules on LiPo shipping are weird.... if its installed in a device... no problem... on its own, then it geta tricky. I think some detailers simply don't declare the contents.

Mobile phones are shipped around the country every day, probably in their thousands and no one bats an eyelid. Yet my daughter had to send her mobile in for repair but the PO refused to accept it! I told her her to take it to a different PO and tell them it was something else!

At one time mobile phones were suppiied with a loose battery which you installed yourself along with your Simm by removing the back of the case. Now the battery is permanently installed, the case is sealed and the Simm is fitted in it's own tiny external slot so you cannot remove it anyway! Just another example of built in obsolence!

Yes that is the nub of it, being honest does not pay by putting all these restrictions on shipping batteries, paint etc. the carriers are covering their rears and throwing the onus on the customer. For 99% of the time it will be OK that is until a sorting office/depot or a van goes up in flames and then the proverbial will hit the fan.