Eneloop's at walmart
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Marduke
Flashaholic
I think it's more a matter of people not looking in the right spot. Batteries (even the rechargable kind) are in 4-6 different locations in your typical WalMart, and it's a pill to figure out which one your particular WalMart is hiding them in.
Generally, there are 2-4 locations near the photo lab/digital cameras, a battery station or two in the front of the store, near the flashlight section in sporting goods, etc.
Most WalMart's I've seen carry the Eneloops where you buy DV tapes and flash memory cards for cameras and camcorders, and not with the rest of the batteries.
Right - I can confirm that at least at the 4 local WalMarts - where the 4x eneloop AA with 4-position charger have been available for some time now - are displayed with the flashcards and camera accessories -
along with the Kodak Pre-Charged (LDS) and the Kodak regular NiMH and chargers - as well as the Digital Concepts/Sakar "generic" looking rechargeable and chargers.
I have not seen them displayed in the regular battery sections (where the Duracell, Engerizer and RayOVacs are displayed).
clg0159
Enlightened
+1
Look in the electronics section near the digi. cameras. Bought some eneloops there last week!
Look in the electronics section near the digi. cameras. Bought some eneloops there last week!
AVR Mark
Newly Enlightened
The Local WalMart, In Presque Isle Maine has the Eneloop/Charger in stock for about $20.00, but no Eneloop batteries without a charger. Since I have three Maha chargers, I don't need any more chargers, so I am still looking for Eneloop batteries by themselves.
Mark
Mark
Marduke
Flashaholic
Circuit City and Costco
Black Rose
Flashlight Enthusiast
Here in Canada, The Source sells Eneloop batteries by themselves.
They are currently liquidating the chargers and twin packs of AA and AAA batteries, and have deep discounts (compared to their regular prices) on the 4 packs of AA and AAA Eneloops.
As for Wal-Mart, around here I only see Duracell, Energizer, and Rayovac rechargables. The Rayovacs move the quickest due to their pricing ($7 for a 4 pack of regular AA or AAA NiMh or $9 for a 4 pack of the Hybrids).
They are currently liquidating the chargers and twin packs of AA and AAA batteries, and have deep discounts (compared to their regular prices) on the 4 packs of AA and AAA Eneloops.
As for Wal-Mart, around here I only see Duracell, Energizer, and Rayovac rechargables. The Rayovacs move the quickest due to their pricing ($7 for a 4 pack of regular AA or AAA NiMh or $9 for a 4 pack of the Hybrids).
Vikas Sontakke
Enlightened
- Joined
- May 30, 2002
- Messages
- 860
Currently RadioShack has pre-charged NiMh on sale 2/$5 & 4/$5, they are 2000mAh. If somebody wants to dip their toes with this technology $5 can get them started at their local RadioShack.
- Vikas
- Vikas
4 for $5 would be a bargain - I'm sure that's just a slip of the keyboard -
they are on sale at 4 for $10.
Most LSDs have had favorable reports - seems like a good technology.
However eneloops are the most well known and have become a sort of benchmark - somwhat like the default "best" - so to be on the safe side just buy eneloops - unless/until there is some concensus that anything is "better".
eneloop AAs were available at Circuit City at $15/8, then closeout at $13/8 - but that seems all gone, I don't even see the 8 packs at their website anymore.
The next best price seems like the CostCo pack 8x AA, 4x AAA, 4-position charger and D and C adaptors @ ~$26 (on Sale around Thanksgiving at $5 off) at $21 even if one threw away the charger - it still works out cheap.
The next LSD brand that is normally lower priced are the Kodak Pre-Charged @ $7.88 for 4 at WalMart - they claim 2100mAh and 1,000 cycles. I have two sets of 4 - they perform similarly to the 8x eneloops I also have.
The Kodak Pre-Charged are also displayed in the electronics section with the flashcards and camera accessories - and NOT in the regular battery section (where the Duracell, Energizer and RoV rechargeables are), these along with the 4x eneloop charger pack have been available at 4 local WalMarts since at least June/2007.
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Mr Happy
Flashlight Enthusiast
Also the Duracell Pre-Charged with "Made in Japan" on the packaging seem to be re-badged Eneloops. These are currently to be found with an "instant $2 saving" coupon, so if you find them at a marked price of say $11.99 you can get them at $9.99 for 4.
This would be a good price -
but please proceed with caution -
as Mr Happy carefully pointed out the suspected re-badged eneloops are Made in Japan -
Durcell PreCharged are also made in China -
please see -
Duracell Pre-Charged Rechargeables - Buyer Advisory
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Black Rose
Flashlight Enthusiast
One thing that seems to be happening lately is that the Eneloops are showing up in a lot of closeout sales.
Why? Is the product not moving from the stores fast enough due to higher prices, so brick and mortar stores don't want to carry them? Sanyo not pushing them enough (I have yet to see any advertising for Eneloops)?
Why? Is the product not moving from the stores fast enough due to higher prices, so brick and mortar stores don't want to carry them? Sanyo not pushing them enough (I have yet to see any advertising for Eneloops)?
lyyyghtmaster
Newly Enlightened
Alkaline primaries fly off the shelves like flies that "know" they'd better reproduce soon before they quickly die, and must soon be replaced over and over again. This is big bucks. In spite of their environmental verbiage, most companies are also making primaries, and probably don't really want the rechargeables to catch on too much. There probably could be formulas that predict the optimum mix of primary to rechargeable sales to maximize profits. If so, the formulas, and the advertising/sales set points they predict, would be somewhat inaccurate/unsteady, and that could account for seemingly incongruous marketing approaches.
Distribution and retailer contracts may be a factor. Sam's Club has a deal with Energizer and Costco with Duracell. Both battery companies offer a "complete" product line, and the retailers can commit to volume and squeeze the vendors on price.
With limited shelf space, the third place player (ROV) only gets a few hangers at Target or Walmart and the top two dominate. Not much room for a relatively small brand like Sanyo (even if they private label for others).
Considering that a common manufacturing date on the Costco-sourced Eneloops is mid-2006, my bet is that Sanyo made a deal with them to liquidate the Eneloop-branded batteries and when they are gone, there won't be more. We could see Costco carrying Duracell Pre-Charged instead. I don't have any inside knowledge, but have seen this happen at Costco a lot over the years.
Vikas Sontakke
Enlightened
- Joined
- May 30, 2002
- Messages
- 860
Anybody know Energizer's plan for LSD batteries? I am really surprised that they have not entered in this market yet. I do have some coupon which I need to redeem quickly.
- Vikas
- Vikas
alfreddajero
Flashlight Enthusiast
I use energizers as well but got the duracells because of the high mah, and they always seemed to get too warm when charging at .5 amps.....Duracells seem to keep there cool when charging at 1amp.
