123a battery deals?

teknical

teknical

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
30
I'd like to get 10-12. I've seen the Surefire-branded ones, but in my experience, products of that nature tend to be overpriced. Have any place you get your 123a batteries for a nice price?
 
Thanks for the info. CPF recommended EBay and cheapbatteries.com. Prices / battery: cheapbatteries.com: $2.00 (for 12-47 batteries); Ebay: $1.69 (the cheapest seller I found); Botach: $1.50 (w/o a discount).

Botach seems to be the winner, though I've heard conflicting stories about them. Being that I can't search, would anyone care to comment or post links to threads about them? I can at least deduce that krept had a worthwhile experience w/ them by his recommending them...
 
On 12 batteries, $0.50 is $6, and obviously $1 is $12 difference. 20 batteries makes it even more worthwhile. One guy on EBay is selling Tekcell 123a batteries in various numbers ($8 / 4 ($2), $18 / 10 ($1.80), $35/ 20 ($1.75)) and has excellent feedback. Same w/ the other guy w/ 2500 units (GE/SANYO) @ $1.69 each, excellent feedback as well.

Taking this into consideration, $2.50 / battery seems quite steep.
 
Originally posted by teknical
On 12 batteries, $0.50 is $6, and obviously $1 is $12 difference. 20 batteries makes it even more worthwhile. One guy on EBay is selling Tekcell 123a batteries in various numbers ($8 / 4 ($2), $18 / 10 ($1.80), $35/ 20 ($1.75)) and has excellent feedback. Same w/ the other guy w/ 2500 units (GE/SANYO) @ $1.69 each, excellent feedback as well.

Taking this into consideration, $2.50 / battery seems quite steep.
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But how much are you saving if you buy 2500 units at 25 cents a piece, and the seller doesn't send you one one single battery?

No one says that you shouldn't save money by going on Ebay, but I've seen many so many "fast ones" pulled in that place that I'd spend the extra money elsewhere. Also, I have no need to buy that many units. 20 batteries will last me an entire year so I'm not saving that much money...
 
Originally posted by teknical
Botach seems to be the winner, though I've heard conflicting stories about them. Being that I can't search, would anyone care to comment or post links to threads about them? I can at least deduce that krept had a worthwhile experience w/ them by his recommending them...
Click to expand...

I'm not sure the feedback on Botach is all that conflicting. It's pretty heavily on the atrocious side, about the worst I've seen for any place discussed on bladeforums or candlepowerforums. Some people get reasonable service -- I've ordered 3 times, no problems any time -- but so many people get so incredibly screwed that I worry about ordering from them again. Just a matter of time before I'm on the receiving end.
 
So far, thanks for the tips, guys :)

Melancholy, the $1.69 auction is Dutch, meaning you can buy any quantity up to 2500 (I can fulfill my original req. of 10-12 batteries, otherwise it's of no use to mention). I see what you're saying and certainly agree w/ you, about going into business w/ 2.5k batteries, though :)

Cougar, I should've checked google for complaint sites as I'm now firm in my not wanting to deal w/ them.

Joe, I hear ya. From what I remember reading here, some said they never had problems while the ones that did experienced real crap w/ them.

Again, the old rule applies: You can order from anywhere. As long as you don't have problems, you'll be fine (duh). What sets different places apart is how they *deal* w/ the problems. You don't save any money if they never ship what you paid for, and up from that, it's generally not worth the headache to send back dead batteries for a refund/exchange...

I like EBay for its direct feedback system, and would like to say that so far I've had good luck w/ buying and selling. I'll most likely be going through them, and I'll let you know how it turns out.
 
I have ordered from Botach about 8 times or so and had two problems. First, a vest I ordered for my fiancee was not available. I waited for the package to arrive for a week before calling them and learning it was not in stock and that it wouldn't be in stock for a couple weeks. When it arrived there, my entire order would be shipped out. I told them that I didn't want to wait and removed the vest from my order - it arrived 3 days later with UPS ground (CA to AZ).

Second problem was related to a change that I did. Was ordering an item, then changed my mind. The new item was $10 or so less. I was still charged on my card for the full amount. I called the "credit department" and spoke with a guy that said he'd take care of my problem... within 24 hrs I had my $ back.

Overall the service I have received from them is quick and professional. I registered w/the owner to receive a govt discount. I also use the telephone number (non-hotline... the hotline is someone's cell phone for orders that need to be processed due to emergency) versus fax or e-mail. The two problems I mentioned before occurred when I placed the orders via e-mail. When I call, I receive verification of stock and I also request to be e-mailed a tracking number so I can follow the shipment.

So I will be ordering from them again. Maybe the service I receive is related to my discounts? I'm not for sure; they have done a good job for me so far and I will recommend them (and other good companies) until the time I get burned.

But certainly, if the negative feedback causes you to look elsewhere (it should, that's why people post it) then you might want to spend a couple extra bones to get it from somewhere that has no such feedback. The good news is that once you buy in bulk the batteries will last a while...
 
sunn battery has sanyo CR123s for $1.89 per. I ordered the set of 12 for $22.49 and recieved them promptly via USPS. They are marked with 2011 expiration date.


nationwide electronics has even better prices on higher quality batteries (duracell ultras), but I have never ordered from them so YMMV.
 
by far the cheapest way to get 123a batteries is to get 223 batteries and take them apart. inside are two uninsulated 123a's. you just need to insulate them and you can get batteries as cheap as .50 a piece. if you search on www.candlepowerforums.com for 223 you'll get descriptions of how to do it.

- Pete
 
I personally have gone buying the 223 route and taking them apart. Cheapbatteries.com has the Duracell 223a's for $2 each in quantities under 100, which is $1/each 123. If you buy 100 of them they are $1 each which comes out to $.50c /each 123. I split a batch of 100 with some another forum member and we each bought 50. Came out to 100 123's for $50.

I also like zreiss.com. They have the Sanyo's for $1.59 each. They make you register online, but if you call them you can just order that way.
 
I also by the 223's and split them. Much cheaper than buying 123's.

Some of the Energizer 223's I bought were already insulated.
 
Is a 223 two 123's attached end-to-end? I have several SureFire flashlights that require two 123's and I'm wondering if I could just use a single 223 in those. Does anyone know?

--Bob Q
 
Originally posted by bquinlan
Is a 223 two 123's attached end-to-end? I have several SureFire flashlights that require two 123's and I'm wondering if I could just use a single 223 in those. Does anyone know?

--Bob Q
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No, a 223 is two 123s side by side.
 
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