With the world running on batteries (literally, from your laptops, cellphones, PDA’s, MP3 players, digital cameras and camcorders and even your toothbrush) there is a huge demand for aftermarket batteries – buying an original brand each time you need replacement batteries is a huge cost – and a big chunk of these batteries are being supplied on the web. The low entry barriers in setting up an online business coupled with the bursting demand for replacement batteries has therefore, inevitably, also given rise to companies with varying degrees of authenticity – this is the Internet and a scam is always just around the corner!

How does one, then, in a minefield like this, decide who is a reputable aftermarket battery supplier? Is it the one whose banner ads you see everywhere or the one hailed as the best choice for aftermarket barcode scanner batteries by a comparison website?

When looking for a reputable aftermarket battery supplier it makes sense to pay attention to some of these points:

Warranties: A reputable aftermarket battery supplier will always give you a warranty on their products. This is a no fly by night operator, has confidence in its batteries and will proactively work to dispel purchase dissonance. Along with a significant warranty, a reputable supplier will also offer a ‘Money Back Guarantee’. This one mostly comes with a ‘no questions asked’ clause and is designed to let you sample the battery and decide if it works for you. Several suppliers offer a 30-day money back guarantee, some offer a longer period of test use.

Shipping: An authentic supplier will offer quick and painless shipping. Not only that a reputable supplier would also show transparency in the way your shipment is dealt with by keeping you informed on your shipping number and tracking details. They are in for the long haul and want to ensure their customers’ satisfaction is a priority.

Secure Online Transactions: The easiest way to scam an online battery shopper is to misuse his personal and financial information. Reputable companies invest in secure transactions by deploying services from other reputable companies such as “VeriSign” and ScanAlerts’s “Hacker Safe” service.

Easy To Work With: A reputed supplier of aftermarket batteries will be the proverbial ‘Easy Joe’ to do business with. The company will ensure your experience with them is smooth, pleasant and one that will make you want to come back. Other than offering warranties and fast deliveries, a reputable aftermarket battery supplier would also offer you a chance to sample its batteries without pounding you on the head to buy right away. By letting you test the product the company is not only reiterating its commitment to your satisfaction but also giving you a genuine opportunity to see if the product fits your bill and making it easy for you to do business with them.

Customer Support: Good customer support is the hallmark of a great company. An aftermarket battery supplier of repute will ensure your needs come first and will have dedicated resources for this purpose. But how do you know there is a whole department working at it? Just pick up the phone and call them; if a real human being picks up the phone and is able to answer your questions satisfactorily, count them in. If you get an automated machine, drop the line and keep looking for the Real McCoy. Remember, a reputable online business is one which is more than just a website. It is an organization filled with real people working to solve real problems.

Inventory: A good, genuine supplier will maintain an adequate stock of its advertised batteries so that they can ensure quick shipping. Nothing is more irksome than being told at checkout that your chosen type of two way radio batteries are out of stock! Even if the product you have selected is out-of-stock, a reputable supplier will keep you notified on the back-order with projected ship dates so you can plan your portable power needs accordingly.

Quality: There are aftermarket battery suppliers and there are aftermarket battery suppliers. The difference between the two is in the quality of components used in manufacturing the batteries. Aftermarket batteries face competition from branded products and a reputable, solid battery supplier will ensure its products use the best possible components (while still qualifying as ‘aftermarket’!). Good quality components and cells make for a good quality battery and a reputable aftermarket battery supplier will offer you value for your money.

Feedback: When looking for the best vendor always check what its other buyers/ users have to say for its products and services. If such testimonials are not expressed on their website or marketing literature you can request them directly. A reputable supplier would be only too happy to share their testimonials and buyer feedback with you – it earns them extra points! A reputable supplier will also have good third party recommendations from companies like bizrate.com. Unbiased report cards like these reflect the overall reputation of the company in the industry.

Industry participation: A reputable aftermarket battery supplier would be active in the industry via participation in industry-level events, as members of appropriate business organizations and by being vocal on issues concerning the industry. A good aftermarket battery vendor would have something worthwhile to say on the product because they’ve been around for a while and know the product well.