The Dangers of Not Purchasing an Authentic Battery

Most people first associate the term 'counterfeit' with counterfeit money, which most people won't ever come into contact with. But there are plenty of other types of counterfeits people come across every day. Have you ever walked through a big city and had someone offer to sell you authentic, high-end purses or watches at astoundingly low prices? As they say, deals that are too good to be true often really are too good to be true; meaning such back alley products were most likely counterfeits. They may look like the real deal, but they are made of low-quality materials. A counterfeit Rolex does not have an authentic battery and its pieces are cheaply made, thus the combination of these parts results in a watch that may not even last a year. 

The Dangers of Not Purchasing an Authentic Battery

Buying counterfeit Rolexes and designer purses can be categorized as more of a low-risk danger, as they likely just will fall apart far sooner than they should. But not all counterfeit products are alike. Specific to our industry, buying counterfeit mobility and medical batteries over an authentic battery can have serious consequences.

Both mobility and medical device batteries are used to serve as either a continuous power supply or as a critical backup power source for critical lifestyle and life maintaining products. If counterfeit batteries are purchased in lieu of an authentic battery that has been fully tested and is built with the highest-quality components, there is the risk that they will fail without warning or fail to deliver the necessary power to keep devices going. In a worst-case scenario, not buying an authentic battery for a medical device like a ventilator can put the patient in a serious life-threatening situation.

In a less dire situation, such as the use of a non-authentic battery in a wheelchair or mobility scooter, the low-grade components can lead to one being stranded without warning. For example, certain low-grade battery components are more likely to fail in heat. This can cause an unexpected whole self-discharge whenever the user is traveling outside in high temperatures. While not necessarily life-threatening, the failure of a battery here can cause a whole host of issues that could otherwise be avoided by simply purchasing the right branded authentic battery proven to withstand hotter temperatures. 

Don't Be a Victim of Counterfeit Batteries

Unlike counterfeit purses, counterfeit batteries really aren't that less expensive than a true branded authentic battery. That minimal cost savings added with the big risks of battery malfunction should underscore just how important it is to avoid buying a non-authentic battery.

The best way to avoid counterfeit batteries is to never go through a third-party independent retailer (i.e. Amazon or eBay). Instead, contact the manufacturer and find the stores they directly sell their merchandise to and buy from them. Furthermore, don't be afraid to insist on checking for signs of visible defects when purchasing an authentic battery, as even authentic batteries can be damaged during shipping and therefore lose their advantages. 

Quality battery manufactures, such as our team at MK Battery, have also enacted countermeasures to help differentiate an authentic battery from a counterfeit one. Those countermeasures include seam serial numbers and quality battery wraps. After purchasing an authentic battery, you can contact the manufacturer to confirm its authenticity via the serial number.

Contact Our Team at MK Battery To Learn More

For more information on why it's important to use authentic batteries in your mobility and medical devices, or for help purchasing the right battery for your needs, contact our team today.