How Many Ryobi Chargers Do You Own?

This is one for the serious home handymen.

One of my issues with ryobi, is that we sometimes end up buying excess chargers, that we don't need as it's cheaper to buy a standalone kit simply for the battery.

Regrettably buying batteries by themselves are more expensive, as 20-30% of the price is packaging.

I now have 8 × 18v + 2 x 36v as a result.

Too me this is a waste of money, and ryobi should adopt an OEM strategy. That is buy a tool (only) and have the option of buying an OEM (non-packaged) battery at a reduced price.
This would be better for the environment , keeping waste down etc

When was the last time Apple and Samsung provided chargers with their phones?

Poll Options

  • 42
    1-2
  • 26
    3-4
  • 12
    5-6
  • 4
    7-8
  • 7
    9+

Comments

  • +15

    Where's the option for zero?

  • -4

    Who buys Ryobi?

  • I think you can sell the chargers for a good amount on FB. No? I understand its extra work tho.

    • +1

      I sold 5x easy enough on Facebook buy and sell for $25 each

    • You need to be a bit careful with this because if you buy a kit rather than a skin, if an issue comes up for warranty you need to return the whole kit, not just the tool. This has it's advantages though because you can get rid of old batteries and receive new in return. The two that I've needed to get warranty on I replaced and old faulty 1.5ah and received a new 4ah and then an old 4ah and received a new 6ah.

      • Whilst it might make it easier at Bunnings, Australian Consumer Law disagrees with you.

        • I'm not sure it does. If you return a product you need to return the whole product AFAIK. Happy to be corrected if you can link to info that shows otherwise. If I had a faulty stick vac you can't just return the vac and keep the battery and charger.

          • @apsilon: For a change of mind return you need everything.

            For a warranty claim you do not. If it wasn't the case you could imagine how silly things could get. Missing your $5 cable from your $2000 laptop? "Sorry! Warranty denied, gotta have the original accessory"

            I'll find a source tonight.

  • +2

    It was cheaper to buy bundles over batteries on their own + skins, what else could I do as an Ozbargainer?

  • +2

    I've got probably 12 out of 15 ryobi tools second hand on marketplace. And none of them come with batteries. It's a way around it if you want to reduce your environmental impact.

  • One, begrudgingly.
    Ryobi work light was a gift.

  • +1

    I got caught in the Ryobi world a few years ago. Now have i think 5 chargers and about 20 skins. Have bought and sold bundles second hand so chargers come and go. I have 2 chargers at home, one in caravan i think, possibly one other. 1 36v fast charger and one 36v slow as a backup.

    I built a battery rack for 8 batteries, but apparently had more batteries than i could recall. Sfill, keeps the batteries tidy when not in tools.

    As for not selling with an extra charger it does make sense, but then they sell skins and batteries separately so its not that wasteful. If you already have a charger you probably already have batteries so you dont need to buy a kit.

    • so you dont need to buy a kit

      It’s often cheaper to buy kits than skins though.
      I’ve bought 4 kits that were $40 each for the skin, battery and charger, and another kit that had 2x skins, battery and charger for cheaper than just the skin I wanted.

      • This is true, but the consumer has a choics.

  • Regrettably buying batteries by themselves are more expensive, as 20-30% of the price is packaging.

    LOL packaging isn't the reason they cost more.

    • 10 to 40%. Even more in the case of Computer Software back in the 90s.

      An example would be some programs that would be in a A4 sized colourful box for $79.95, or you could buy the CD in a case for $19.95. Both items would come from the same distributor

      • -1

        For example, if the product sells $100, then the company might spend anywhere between $10-$40 on the packaging.

        So from the article you linked, If you're spending 40% of the retail price on the package, you're doing it all wrong.

        There is zero way a battery packaging costs $40 let alone $10, more like $2. It's a blister pack! Not gold leaf wrapped.

  • This is an interesting one - I have a bunch of Ryobi tools but only had 1 charger, which recently broke so I had to buy a new one - I had the 'big bertha' charger from 6-7 years ago which just died (apparently common issue, can fix it with some expertise?) but ended up buying a new slim one with a battery for $59

    I just assumed these failed all the time…

  • I switched to Ozito and have against my wish 5 or 6 chargers. One Ryobi charger remains, it is too large but its fluorescent colour prevents it from hiding.
    Junior switched to Milwaukee, they make stronger tools but uglier chargers.
    Only 1 retailer in Oz sell your brand.
    Most chippies are faithful to Makita,
    Rust bolt removers on car shops think Dewalts have more grunt.

    • Why did you switch from Ryobi to Ozito?

      • Behind Ryobi is TTI from Hong Kong.
        Behind Ozito is Einhell of Germany.
        Einhell tools cost over 3 times in Europe!
        https://www.jumbo.ch/fr/themes/univers-des-marques/einhell.h…

        Now use google translate and currency converter.

        priceless site: https://www.einhell.de/en/
        look at the structure here: https://www.einhell.com/einhell-worldwide/

        Reps in Bunnings wear Einhell uniforms!

        • +1

          You do realise that Einhell in Europe is a DIY grade tool, basically considered to be at the same level that we consider Ozito here. The fact it's based in Germany doesn't mean much, they're still made in China (which also doesn't mean much). Bosch is the most popular power tool brand in Europe.

          TTI is also the company behind Milwaukee and AEG/Rigid IIRC which is also fairly meaningless. They do share designs between brands just like all the others.

          My experience with Ozito has been entirely negative. Every tool I've had from them has under performed and failed. I'll admit it's been a while since I bought Ozito and maybe they've improved but I'd never switch the Ryobi tools I have for the Ozito version but as long as you're happy with them go for it.

          • @apsilon: Some dark red Ozito's in fact did underperform. For me only the angle grinders were way too weak.
            Light red ones yes for diy use = best value for money. Good warranty, easily exchanged.
            Yeah there is also Festo, Metabo, Gedore and Fein making fine tools.
            TTC is the torque test channel on youtube, well worth watching.

  • +2

    100% support this suggestion. Even if Ryobi think it's a value add ("look, includes bonus charger") it's a ridiculous waste and is just contributing to the piles of junk we accumulate.

  • +1

    I have 3 brands of cordless tools. As far as chargers go, I own 2 x Makita rapid chargers,1 x Ryobi super charger, 1 x Ozito dual battery charger.

    If I buy a kit, I just sell off the chargers on FB marketplace. You don't get much for them but it's better than e-waste. Plus you get a few bucks in the pocket.

    I live in the ACT, so we have a reasonable population and all the chargers I have listed have sold quickly. Guessing you may have less success in areas with smaller populations though.

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