> 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,

> 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.