B&H offers free replacements for “subpar” (fake) Nikon EN-EL15b batteries

B&H has sent out an email to customers who recently purchased Nikon EN-EL15b batteries. Nikon Rumors posted a screenshot of the email, which states that they received a “subpar” batch of batteries, and as they have no way to know which customers received which batteries, they’re sending out replacements to everybody, and advising that you safely discard the ones you have received.

The email reads…

You recently placed an order for the following item – B&H #NIENEL15B.

It has come to our attention that we unfortunately receved a subpar batch of Nikon EN-EL15b rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Since it is impossible for us to ascertain which of our customers received from the affected batch, we will be replacing all of these batteries sent to our customers regardless of which battery they might have received.

As Nikon hasn’t made any kind of official statement about the batteries and is not offering a manufacturer recall, we can probably surmise that “subpar” is a euphemism for “not genuine” or “fake”. A post over on DPReview’s forums shows a side-by-side comparison of what appears to be one of the batteries in question, alongside a genuine Nikon battery.

B&H’s email goes on to say…

With regard to the battery you have received, please discontinue use and take the battery to the nearest recycling program. As a resource to help you find a location near you, you can try looking at https://www.call2recycle.org/. The batteries should not be thrown in the general trash. B&H will be sending you a confirmed new optional battery free of charge within the next day or two. You will be receiving an e-mail copy of this no-charge order and a separate email when it is shipped out to you. Please do not attempt to ship the battery back to us as it is potentially dangerous to do so.

Now, Nikon’s had battery recalls before with the original EN-EL15 in 2012 and again in 2017. And they specifically requested that users “do not dispose of it” and that the batteries be returned to Nikon for a replacement. So the fact that B&H is requesting that customers do not attempt to ship the battery back to them and that they should dispose of it safely also adds weight to the “fake” battery conclusion.

The Nikon EN-EL15b is compatible with the following DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

So, if you’ve bought an EN-EL15b from B&H recently and haven’t received this email, either be patient or assume you’re fine. If you’re worried that you haven’t heard from them but still think you might have one from the bad batch, then give them a call.

Did you receive one of these emails? Have you purchased one of these batteries elsewhere?

[via Nikon Rumors]