Back to batteries..

[Gubbins]

I have been looking to see if this has been discussed, so apologise if I have missed it, but it seems a bargain.. Although I know nothing about batteries nor what all the numbers mean. It looks to me like battery manufacturers display details in different formatts, probably to confuse.. A bit like lights with lumens and candlepower etc. So is this worth buying?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351076463619?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Artstu]

Phill that second hand one on ebay recently was from this user here http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/bosch-compatible-battery-300-watts.19748/

He says it's build quality matches the original.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Only if you have an old style Bosch bike and need a new/spare battery. £300 for a 36v 8.8ah battery doesn't sound much of a bargain to me.

 

[Artstu]

I'm hoping for bigger and cheaper options in the future.

Glad I don't need a spare battery for the latest Bosch system.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-OEM-Genuine-Anthrazit-Performance-Frame-Battery-400Wh-eBike-Electric-Bike-/321435189167?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item4ad707bfaf

 

[Gubbins]

Only if you have an old style Bosch bike and need a new/spare battery. £300 for a 36v 8.8ah battery doesn't sound much of a bargain to me.

It's actually £250 . Only other option seems to £500 .or am I missing something.

 

[RobF]

From what I can gather, these copy batteries are fine, and they are quite a bit cheaper.

The downside to me is the smaller 8ah capacity, which is not adequate for most of my rides.

If you genuinely don't need more, then the battery is a good buy.

 

[jonathan75]

Given the seller is in Europe and a volume operator, that means they've probably got a PDQ or other facility for taking card payment, which in turn means bigtime purchase protection from your card provider.

 

[trex]

'no quibble' money back is important in big purchases like e-bikes. Suppose you find out a few days after buying your bike that your plan to commute does not work out or the frame is too big or the riding position too uncomfortable?
You don't get that with buying face to face but you do in most cases with
online purchases from amazon or paid with paypal.

 

[JohnCade]

'no quibble' money back is important in big purchases like e-bikes. Suppose you find out a few days after buying your bike that your plan to commute does not work out or the frame is too big or the riding position too uncomfortable?
You don't get that with buying face to face but you do in most cases with
online purchases from amazon or paid with paypal.

I don't believe that the protection offered by credit cards on items over £100 extends to Paypal purchases. You have used the card to pay Paypal not the supplier of the goods. So the only comeback is through Paypal and their payment protection scheme, which some people have not had good results with.

Paypal is useful for smaller amounts and for eBay of course, but I pay directly by card for higher priced items.

 

[Gubbins]

I don't believe that the protection offered by credit cards on items over £100 extends to Paypal purchases. You have used the card to pay Paypal not the supplier of the goods. So the only comeback is through Paypal and their payment protection scheme, which some people have not had good results with.

Paypal is useful for smaller amounts and for eBay of course, but I pay directly by card for higher priced items.

Paypals moneyback guarantee...
eBay Money Back Guarantee covers over 99% of listings on ebay.co.uk when you pay with PayPal.
Notice the ebay UK bit...... This probably means not covered if bought from ebay germany..

 

[JohnCade]

I have got my money back with eBay with a restored antique vase bought as perfect from the USA. In general eBay finds for the buyer and to the detriment of honest sellers sometimes. I am wary when I sell there now but don't have any worries buying.

Paypal is being, or has been spun out of eBay and has become a general payment method. It is very useful because no one wants to sign up to shopping sites just to buy one item. But Paypal protection unlike eBay protection has had some poor results for some people. I can't comment first hand never having made a Paypal claim only eBay claims.

 

[jonathan75]

Paypal have improved recently but there are a couple of pitfalls, a few months ago they increased the time for a buyer protection claim from 45 days to 180 days, but, it is only for "registered UK users", whatever "registered" means in practice: I don't know at what point one ticks that box. Maybe it's simple as joining.

Secondly, they have a well-hidden policy in the small print that any goods not as described must be returned at the buyer's cost, in order to obtain a refund through their system. At least Ali Express is upfront about this.

For those not aware of the term, it could be avoided via unfair terms in consumer contracts rules, but for those aware, I'm not so sure.

Thirdly, once you do open a dispute, you have to furnish everything which could possibly be required of you including possibly responses to seller, within a few days otherwise they close the claim forever (although again subject to the term being found unfair).

 

[trex]

whichever way you look at the level of protection afforded to the customers by online payment providers, you get an extra money back guarantee that you don't get with face to face purchase.
This huge USP is responsible for growth of the online marketshare.
Just look at the vendors on this forum, how many would survive without web sales?

 

[RobF]

I suspect the main reason for online sales is the ebike market is simply not big enough for a shop to survive on a traditional geographical area.

Many customers, unless they have a shop nearby, cannot access their chosen model locally.

 

[trex]

if more traditional LBSes take on e-bikes or do conversions, the market can expand. I reckon most vendors on this forum would gladly collaborate and reduce their reliance on online sales.