If you’re shopping for a lithium-ion battery, you should be just as concerned with the service provider you choose as with the battery itself.
An experienced, dedicated battery provider does more than sell you a product. They work with you extensively to assess your application specifications and requirements, and then guide you toward the best possible solution.
Here are properties you should look for in a lithium-ion battery provider. If you don’t see these qualities, it’s probably time to move on.
Battery Knowledge
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a lithium-ion battery, you already recognize its inherent advantages over lead acid, including life span, safety and performance.
Your provider, however, shouldn’t just pick a battery from a catalogue and sell it to you. Instead, a skilled provider analyzes your application’s specifications and your usage needs, and then pairs you with the most efficient, cost-effective option. Your provider should also be able to customize your lithium-ion battery to meet your exact needs, if required.
Battery Warranty
If your provider doesn’t offer a robust, long-term warranty for your lithium-ion battery, that’s an immediate red flag. As with any business, a provider that promises quality should back it up in writing. Although the lithium-ion battery is known for its safety, stability and lack of required maintenance, complications may still arise.
Make sure you read every detail on the battery’s warranty and ask a lot of questions. A reputable provider has nothing to hide. When it comes to raw numbers, look for at least a six-year guarantee (your battery should last you five to eight years, depending on use), with a longer period that’s contingent on how you use the battery.
Customer Service
Your chosen provider’s service philosophy should be top of mind at all times: before, during and following your purchase. A quality battery provider doesn’t just give you valuable information up until the sale is made and then disappear, but rather continues to offer educational content and prioritizes your relationship long after the transaction occurs.
To get a sense of your provider’s post-sale service philosophy, ask for referrals and testimonials showcasing the provider’s commitment to client satisfaction. Your provider should be able to point you toward happy clients and success stories, demonstrating technical skill and a dedication to excellence in business.
Area Of Service
Find out if the battery provider makes service calls and deliveries in your area. If you need help with your battery on site, it’s advantageous to work with a provider that’s able to arrive in a reasonable timeframe or connect you with a trusted partner in the area.
Look for a provider that services your area on a routine basis – weekly, biweekly or monthly – for an extra level of reliability. If your application is an electric vehicle or watercraft, you don’t want to get stranded in the event of a critical issue. Check to see if your provider ships via UPS and FedEx, by ground or air to ensure you have several rapid delivery options.
In time-sensitive instances, you might opt to grab a battery directly from the provider at a local warehouse or stocking center. Check to see if your provider stocks their product nearby so you can pick up and go more quickly. As the largest stocking distributor of lithium-ion batteries in North America, RELiON offers the best selection of standard-size rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in the nation.
If you’re ready to invest in a lithium-ion battery, don’t devalue your investment by working with a subpar provider. Do your homework and select the provider whose knowledge, warranty, service philosophy and area of service best suit your needs.