Massive fraud on 18650s in the Littokala Aliexpress stores!

Thank you ordered 6 30q

$ 13.61 / 6 pcs LG H2 here:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/LiitoKala-for-LG-HG2-18650-18650-3000mah-electronic-cigarette-Rechargeable-batteries-power-high-discharge-power-bank/32852288308.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.2.48657390PumXcj&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_1_10152_10151_10065_10344_10068_10342_10343_5722611_10340_10341_10696_5722911_5722811_5722711_10084_10083_10618_10304_10307_10301_5711211_10059_308_100031_10103_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620_5711311_5722511,searchweb201603_19,ppcSwitch_7&algo_expid=5bafb14e-722a-47a1-a5cd-a2b19edaa7c4-0&algo_pvid=5bafb14e-722a-47a1-a5cd-a2b19edaa7c4&priceBeautifyAB=0

ordered $13.44 in app

Weird…I just tried 2 x 6pcs. 30q cells, paid via Paypal, addressed to the USA but PP says “PP payment failed”

I chatted with customer service and she says some dealers don’t have PP even when the PP logo in their product page.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs-Original-Battery-INR18650-30Q-3000m…

Has anyone paid with PP?

I just paid with PayPal and it worked, it cost $1.68 extra though. I really, really hope the batteries are authentic.

I just attempted to pay via PP again, and PP says: “We’re sorry, things don’t appear to be working at the moment. Please try again later.”

That’s my third attempt.

Can anyone explain this? I have tried to contact PP support yet I can’t get in their system as my reason for my concern is not listed in their list of complaints.

Mmm, had to order some… I was yesterday giving a oxide removing vinegar bath to a couple cells (NCR18650B and 30Q) and somehow the rust debris being removed from their anodes ended up shorting the cells. I presume this could happen because the cells weren't lying straight up inside the glass container, as I had successfully done this that way before with no ill effects.

Any of you know if cell top insulators are attacked by acetic acid?

Cheers :-)

I’m not sure why it isn’t working for you. I ordered from this store. Your link in post #16 is not working.

Hmm, there’s;

https://liitokala.aliexpress.com/store/133859
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/4PCS-Liitokala-original-3-7V-INR18650-30Q-battery-3000mAh-lithium-battery-inr18650-powered-rechargeable-battery-for/133859_32846241913.html?spm=2114.12010609.8148355.43.10601994POkwch

4 for 12.55 eur

https://liitokala0fficial.aliexpress.com/store/725333
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs-Original-Battery-INR18650-30Q-3000mAh-20A-Discharge-18650-Li-ion-Rechargeable-Battery-for-E-cigarette/32793497427.html?shortkey=IRn2YVrq&addresstype=600

4 for 9.22 eur

One of them looks more official than the other…

These batteries may be a good price, but it appears I would have to pay over US$22 for postage to Australia for just a few.
I would have to buy in bulk to make this deal worthwhile.
I don’t know why, because the other Chinese websites like Banggood and Gearbest only charge a few dollars postage, however the batteries are a bit more expensive. Flashlights, chargers etc are usually free postage.
Did you guys have to pay much postage to Europe or USA?

It was quoting me ~2 USD of postage to Spain/España.

I purchased a 4 pack of 30q’s from the Liitokala Factory Store. What is the best way to test if they are legit when they arrive?

Each time they re-enable shipping to Brazil the cost is raised, at the current cost it’s not a viable purchase :frowning:

Perhaps you can get a small group buy going for Australians, whereby one of you would buy them and re-distribute to the others.

Good idea DavidEF, but postage within Australia starts at about US$7.50 for a small parcel.
So we would have to be talking about a reasonable amount of batteries to make this viable to post to all the people.
I have just placed an order for 8-Samsung 18650 30Q in plastic cases (2x4) from Banggood for about US$41 including postage, which I think is a bargain. I used the code provided in the Banggood specials and coupons post, and by buying 2 packs of 4, reduced the postage to about a dollar.

Honestly the best way will be to ask yourself 6 months from now …” Why the hell didn’t I buy more when I had the chance .”

Use the Time Machine I gave you .

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/6-unids-for-original-samsung-18650-lithium-battery-25r-inr1865025r-20a-2500-mah-battery-for-electronic/32798528310.html

Ludicrous pricing there, isn't it?

Cheers :-)

For 10 samsung 25r batteries I can get 8 of them with the same price from nkon.nl, so probably going to buy my batteries from there. Also the shipping is faster and I think it would be more trouble free.

First, check the physical characteristics of the can, wrapping, code, and contacts. You can search to see what they should be, or compare them against a known legit cell.

Then, check the capacity (should be around 2900mAh). Then charge it up and make sure it holds voltage with a drop of no more than 0.002v per day (after the first day).

Then, make sure it’s high drain. If you have a BLF Q8, you can run it off a single cell. Even a flat top will work in the Q8, but be careful when tightening. You should get about 2500 lumen output from a single 30Q. Or at least try it in another high-drain light to make sure it behaves as expected.

After all that, it could still be fake. But, there are more expensive cells than a 30Q to fake, so it’s unlikely a 30Q fake would be so “good” as to pass the above tests.

Thank you for the heads up. Ordered 6 piece 30q

Ordered 2x Liitokala 26650 and 4x LG HG2 last night from the “factory store.” I’d intended to order from the “official store,” which I’ve bought from before. Probably exactly the same operation though. I guess I’ll see what I get in a few weeks.