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Granted, there is usually a rechargeable alternative to any product using non replaceable batteries. Or one can use rechargeable AA/AAA/etc. that recoup their c

Granted, there is usually a rechargeable alternative to any product using non replaceable batteries. Or one can use rechargeable AA/AAA/etc. that recoup their cost within a few charges. For the consumer rechargeable always makes sense, but I think there's an incentive for stores to not push those products - why sell rechargeable flashlights when you can sell ones that gobble alkaline cells and get your customers coming back for batteries?? Is there any way to avoid this problem besides regulation?

NegativeLatency 2y ago
There's a lot of 18650 compatible flashlights and stuff, but some of them have the battery sealed inside. I have a couple of bike lights and flashlights that have this issue and I've cracked them open to replace the batteries, but it's not a regular person thing to do.
eru 2y ago
> Is there any way to avoid this problem besides regulation? Just don't buy those, if you don't like them? > For the consumer rechargeable always makes sense, but I think there's an incentive for stores to not push those products - why sell rechargeable flashlights when you can sell ones that gobble alkaline cells and get your customers coming back for batteries?? That only works as a business if your customer comes back to you. The market for these dirt cheap devices is pretty fragmented. And people are unlikely to turn into repeat customers, if the previous gadget failed them miserably.