Get me a battery expert.

[Gost2036]

I don't get many sucky customers and this guy mainly amused me more than anything. Like a lot of other big retail stores our batteries are located on endcaps at the front lanes. I see a man standing there looking confused at the batteries and this is our conversation.

Me: Hi, can I help you find something today sir?
Sc: I need rechargeable batteries.
Me: Alright which size rechargeable battery did you need?
The rechargeable batteries take up half the endcap we're staring at and come in sizes anywhere from AAA to D

Sc: None of the ones here. I need the ones that only take 15 minutes.
Me: That will depend on what type of charger your using. I do have double and triple A chargers that only take 15 minutes.
Sc: No the charger does not matter, only the batteries. my charger takes 2 hours and that is to long. Get me the 15 minutes batteries.
Me: The batteries I have here can take as little as 15 minutes but its going to depend on the charger that is used with them.
Sc: No you don't know what your talking about. Get me someone who works in the battery department.
Me: We don't have a battery department, all of our batteries are on this display.
Sc: Then get me someone who knows the most about batteries in the store.
As far as I know we have no battery expert and I know about as much as anyone here

Me: Sir we don't have anyone who specializes in batteries and out of the people currently here I probably know the most about batteries.
Sc: You don't know anything, I saw the batteries on the internet and they said they could be recharged in 15 minutes with any charger.
Me: I'm sorry sir I've never seen or stocked batteries like that.
SC: Fine, I'm leaving and you have been no help.

After he left just to reassure myself I checked with everyone who was working if they knew of batteries that could recharge in 15 minutes with any charger. Everyone there had the same answer I did, it depends on the charger. On the positive side he did amuse me for the rest of my shift.

[Polenicus]

Sc: You don't know anything, I saw the batteries on the internet and they said they could be recharged in 15 minutes with any charger.

It's amazing. With Television, you could be forgiven for not knowing the details of a product. Ads whiz by in 30 seconds, and you see something that interests you, but miss out on crucial details or product information.

Now with the advent of the internet, people have NO excuse. You can PRINT the bloody page for heaven's sake! But we still get these half-assed inquiries for partially imagined products, and when we can't magically produce them after failing to be provided with anything like helpful information, WE'RE the ignorant ones.

It seems the only thing that's changed is the conviction of the consumer that they're right... even when they have NO CLUE what they're asking for, they're somehow right.

[Ironclad Alibi]

I did a quick Google search and found Rayovac 15 minute Rechargeable batteries. The web site is Rayovac's Canadian web site. The product is not listed on their US web site, although it is carried by Amazon.com.

According to the description, "Rayovac's patent-pending I-C3 technology (In-Cell Charge Control) puts the control of the recharging into the battery, instead of the charger." However, the description on Amazon says "When charged in I-C3 charger."

Apparently, whatever allows the 15 minute charging cycle is in the battery, not the charger, but a specific charger does need to be used.

Rayovac's web site also says "* note: Not all Rayovac products are available at all stores." Not that an SC would read that.

[Slytovhand]

You don't know anything,

"Ok sir, since you do know all about it, why don't you tell me the name of these batteries you saw? No?? Well, how about which website it was on? No - can't tell me that one either??? Damn - then what do you know??"


Yeah - ok - I like using sarcasm

[Dark Psion]

My personal bane is the "Tomato Tree" commercial.

I have looked at the commercial and it is a joke.
If you look closely, you will see several different types of tomatoes on this "tree" including cherry tomatoes.

An actual Tomato Tree is a different plant and takes two years to prouce a crop, which are more eggplant than tomato.

Also the picture of the "Big Tree" is obviously being grown in a greenhouse and any tomato grown in such a climate control enviroment will be bigger. And the ripe tomatoes they show are from several different types of tomatoes.

Yet I have had several people ask and call about getting these and they just don't understand why I say No. And I can't understand why they want to pay $10 to $12 for a single plant when I can sell them 4 for $1.50.

[marasbaras]

It's the charger, idiot. She did the best she could do ... just went away.

[Boochan]

Seems like you've actually gone out of your way if its just a standard discount/department store or supermarket. We actually have those batteries in my shop (By the brand Varta, which Distributes to Europe/Asia Pacific), can't say anyone has ever asked for them, so they are a specialty item. Good luck even finding rechargeable batteries in most other stores here, regardless.

Theirs no shortage of Battery Specialist Stores, and its a rather obscure item.. guess thats expecting waaaay too much sense, and you answered above what I would personally expect from most big retail stores. >_<

[marasbaras]

Just buy the Eveready green-colored batteries and their high-speed charger. They work well. They're fairly high capacity. And, they're middle-of-the-road in price. Pretty safe buying decision.

[PaRaGaS]

Apparently, whatever allows the 15 minute charging cycle is in the battery, not the charger, but a specific charger does need to be used.

In other words, complete and utter bullshit.

And for all rechargable needs I recommend Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables and a BC-700 or BC-900 charger.

[Nashida]

Just buy the Eveready green-colored batteries and their high-speed charger. They work well. They're fairly high capacity. And, they're middle-of-the-road in price. Pretty safe buying decision.

I have those. Love them.

[Raieth]

I loved my durecell rechargeables. I used them everyday for 8-10 hours a day for almost two years before they stopped holding a charge.

[PaRaGaS]

I loved my durecell rechargeables. I used them everyday for 8-10 hours a day for almost two years before they stopped holding a charge.

Try a CPU charger that has a refresh mode, I bet you could still get them up to at least 75% capacity.