Here's a text message conversation I recently had with a seller on Craigslist for a 2012 Prius HV battery. Needless to say, but I gave up...............The italics are my half of the conversation.......... Any other fun stories out there?? I'm replying to your ad on CL for the 2012 prius battery. I understand it isn't working properly. If it's still available I'd like to purchase it. Yes. It is still available. Is it possible to arrange a pickup time sometime this weekend? Maybe early Sunday? I wouldn't have a problem with paying beforehand through PayPal. Also, is it still original or has it been worked on ? No, only cash. Sorry. It sell as is just core. Some cells need to be replace. Cash is not a problem. I just wouldn't be able to pay you cash until I picked it up. I wouldn't be able to pick it up until this weekend since it's about a four hour drive for me. I understand it's 'as-is', and I'm ok with that as long as it's original 2012. Sorry. No idea. I'm selling as is on core. It still show over 200 volts. The top of each cell has a serial number printed on it. Are you able to send a photo of a serial number? I can use that to tell when they were made. Sorry. I sell as is. I want to put cash in your hand. But before I drive 4 hours to get there, I just want to make sure that the battery really is a 2012. All I need is a serial number from the top of one of the modules. Looking for on eBay with warranty. Sorry I think I’m not explaining myself very well. I understand the battery does not work properly and is being sold ‘as-is’. I do not want a warranty. It is being advertised as a 2012 battery. It looks like a 2012 on the outside. I need the inside parts from a 2012 battery. Before I make a 10 hour round trip to your location, I would like to verify it really is a 2012 battery on the inside. If you can send me a serial number or a picture of the serial number printed on the top of one of the cells, I can verify it is actually a 2012. Once verified to be a 2012 battery, I would be happy to drive there and put $$ in your hand. Ok. I will try to sell it locally. You can check on eBay it for $1200. I give the price for just core. Sorry and have a nice day.
If he has that much trouble communicating, I'm betting no one else will buy it from him sight unseen. In a couple of weeks, you will probably get it for less than you are willing to pay now.
Doing some simple math: your 2012 HV battery should be factory warrantied until 2020. Why not just stop in at a local dealer and get yours replaced? "Hybrid-related components, including the HV battery, battery control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter, are covered for 8 years/100,000 miles. The HV battery may have longer coverage under emissions warranty. Refer to applicable Owners Warranty Information booklet for details."
8 years/100,000 miles. But I have 642,246 miles on my car............ Just kidding. I just wanted to add it to my stack of Gen 3 HV batteries, but it became too much work.
Ah ..... yeah ..... I have a battery......, sure I do. Just send me money beforehand with PayPal. On Sunday, I'll make sure to be at the address I give you.
I have a better Cragslist story. Was looking for a very specific Toyota Camry SE with the 5 speed manual. Found about 30 miles away after a lot of time and looking and my wife and I went for a look and test drive. We agreed to pay the asking price but needed to go to the bank and get the cashers check that they requested the following day because it was the weekend. Went to the bank the following day and got the money and made the 30 mile trip to pick up the car. When we arrived the woman seller stated that she couldn't sell the car because she realized that if she sold it to us she wouldn't have a car?
