RESULT - Free Replacement Battery from Apple UK

Question

Hi to All,
Like a lot of you I had problems with my battery. I noticed earlier this year my MBP would power-off when there was still lots of battery charge left. It gradually got worse and worse. A few months ago I noticed whenever I pulled the power cord out it would switch off and recently I can only use it when it's plugged in.
I read about the battery problems online, and on this forum. I discovered it was a very common problem. I had assumed there was nothing I could do other than buy a new battery, but after reading posts from some of you who have had success getting a replacement one I thought I'd call Apple. Nothing to lose other than cost of phone call. To be honest I wasn't expecting to get any joy as I bought my MBP in May 2006.
I spoke to a overly-friendly guy in Bangalore who kept saying "Don't worry, don't worry. I will sort this out for you". He took my details and serial number etc.. then kept putting me on hold as he spoke to his 'supervisor'. After 15 mins he explained that my battery's serial no. is one that qualified for the replacement programme - but that only applied up to 2 years after purchase. As mine is 30 months old, he had to do some arm twisting and they made an exception for me. He transferred me to a woman in Scotland who gave me a case number etc.. She then passed me onto a dispatch guy.
After 20 mins on the phone my free replacement battery is on it's way. Not sure if I've just been very lucky on this occasion, but I would recommend calling Apple Support wherever you are, before going ahead and forking out for a new battery.

Answer 1

Hmm... Newer Technologies' reseller list includes OWC/esales but they
are not the same; one is a reseller and the other is a manufacturer. A
few product names at OWC are not seen anywhere else unless you look
real hard, but Newer Tech and NuPower can be bought direct from Newer
Technologies online; and a reseller could contact them to carry their stuff.
In any event, if just the plastic is mal-formed, and the section not fitting up
is just a layer of white plastic, that'd be comparatively easy to change. If
nothing else, Apple should have a shorter waiting list on replacement cells
now the recall numbers have been going out to customers. I got mine after
about a two month wait; and after all that waiting, I've gotten over the need
to use a portable computer. It just sits there and I have to hassle with it;
to keep it charged up and up to date. With winter here, I don't carry it while
travelling anywhere, it'd freeze too easily over the distances I have to go!
Did Newer Tech offer to refund monies and take back these odd batteries?
Have you contacted other battery sales sources for comparative products?
The quality and support plus warranty (and fit, finish, compatibility)
are all important details.
Some cheap replacements could be dangerous and not suited for use in
the iBook or PowerBook they are intended to replace. I see some at
places like amazon afiliate stores, and wonder what they really are inside.