To expect that Early Learning Centre toys should be able to use different types of batteries that you don't need to slog up to the Early Learning Centre to buy??

[krang]

So DS loves his toy 'ro-ro' (washing machine) more than anything in the whole world.

It stops working. I take advantage of the ELC no-quibble guarantee and take it back.

Woman at counter, tutting: "Oooh, what kind of batteries do you use?"

Me: "Er, Duracell."

Cue further tutting. "Ah, that's what it'll be, you see. Other batteries are all too short [WTF?]"

She puts ELC batteries into the old ro-ro. It still does not work, so she gives me a new one but reminds me to 'buy the right ELC batteries.'

Has anyone else been told this? Am I being lied to? Is it a huge conspiracy to make me buy my batteries at the ELC? I am completely confused and feel a pointless letter-writing campaign coming on.

Sounds like total rubbish to me!
All batteries are standard sizes.

Yep - absolute bollox that woman is trying to con you. Batteries come in standard sizes. A duracell AA battery will be the same size as an ELC AA battery.

Tis Bosh - but I have also had ELC say that they need to have own brand batteries.
So sympathy

We had a problem with a CD player bought there. It wouldn't work at home. I took it back, they put some of their batteries in to test it and it worked fine. I took it home, put the Duracells back in and it didn't work. Lady in the shop said to use the batteries they sell, though she didn't know why they worked and others didn't.

So there is something going on...

I got told this too. Gah! Actually I has bought a dud packet of Duracell on special offer but there is no real reason the toys shouldn't work. In fact all the ELC stuff we have works without ELC batteries apart from the wall clock it seems

This could explain why the ELC keyboard we bought for DS1 packed up a while ago. I replaced the batteries with non-ELC ones and it still doesn't work. I assumed something had broken inside or I had dud batteries. I'll try ELC ones and see if it works.

wtf, this is trash

Mummydo it. Take it back to them. They will try their batteries and if it still doesn't work they will give you a new one.

It's rubbish they use standard size batteries!

well DS's ELC washing machine works with any batteries we try, not just the elc ones, so she's talking a load of old rubbish battery sizes are standard.

Take some Duracell into ELC and measure up. I think its a bit strange that some things work without elc batteries.
Ring their customer services and check.

it could be that they make the toys with a slightly larger battery chamber (ie 1mm or so) and do this with the batteries too. This would mean other batteries do not work as well as the contact would not be so reliable, the trade off being that ELC batteries are a bit tight for other products IYWSWIM. I would do a comparison, fit ELC and Duracell into omething and see if one feels more tight and one more sloppy.

If they have done this then she could e right, alhtough I am sure it would be considered bad form!

shes lying!!

But did you know you can now buy pink batteries in ELC?!!!

Talking rubbish. I have never bought ELC batteries and they all work just fine. We have rechargable batteries and they are worth the initial out lay.

We have had plenty of ELC toys but I don't think we have ever bought ELC batteries!