Good Quality Aftermarket or Generic Battery for VAIO

Generic battery sellers seem so shady, and yet when I look up the prices for an original, it keeps me looking for a generic.

Is there a one stop place, or a particular aftermarket battery that is legit? When some sellers claim an LG or Samsung cell, that's just straight BS, right?

I just need my TZ to go for another two years.
Would appreciate some solid advice from people who have found good batteries.

Please do not post in this thread about how we should not buy generics. I'd like to find out if we can aggregate some info and put it in this post to get a source for a cheap, reliable alternative. Also, if anyone has specific info on which batteries to avoid on ebay and other places, that would also be helpful.

 

There's another option. Repack your current battery yourself.

 

I considered that after watching several videos and some how-to's. I decided against it though because I didn't want this to be a DIY thread, but a source for aftermarket batteries.

If you have a good guide for repacking a VAIO battery, I'd be interested. (In another thread of course)

 

I've heard nothing but horror stories in using aftermarket batteries for VAIO. Needing to reflash bios...batteries failing after a few months, etc. I'd either re-cell your battery or just buy an OEM replacement.

 

My personal experience has been the same. Every aftermarket battery I've gotten has only lasted half as long as the same capacity OEM battery in terms of battery life. They seriously overrate those aftermarket batteries.

If you must, buy from a seller with a warranty and where you can ship it back for cheap. The last one I got, I ended up swapping it out 3 times due to poor battery life before I gave up. The seller was stand up though and in the end he refunded the purchase cost. I did have to eat the shipping costs for shipping it back all those times.

 

Seriously, nobody with a decent battery purchase? I know there are some of you out there.

 

I have several generics.

Here is my experience.
A factory battery will generally last 3-5 years, more or less, a generic will last around 2 and will have 10-20% less capacity.

I have one laptop that Sony wants $350 for the battery, the generic was $35, it wasn't a tough decision. On the other hand, I have another where the difference is only $20, why bother with the generic?

I had one generic battery only last a year, another is nearly 3. Did I get ripped off? The one that died after a year was the $35 one to replace the $350 battery, I got a year out of it. Even if I have to replace it yearly, I still save a ton of money.

Just make sure it's worth the money and buy from a reputable seller. Preferably one who resides in your country and offers a warranty. Oh and be prepared for any battery tester/verifier tool from the factory to complain, they make money on batteries so of course they want you to buy from them. Take that out and install Battery Bar, it's better than the factory junk anyhow (I do leave in Battery Care for Sony stuff).