I’m glad to see somebody calling them out, especially if they are ignoring you and not honoring the warranty as quickly as humanly possible.
I buy lithium batteries like candy, and as far as I’m concerned Dakota Lithium at this stage is a brilliant marketing company not a battery company.
As others mentioned, their cells come straight from China (just like virtually every other battery in the world) and at least some of their models are now entirely assembled in China in the exact same factories that make almost identical batteries that often cost 75% less than their amazing “Made in America” batteries.
I enjoy actual Made in USA products as much as anybody, and will often pay a premium (e.g. Redwing boots) but I also have no problem accepting that most of the world’s goods are made in China, and I’ve been ordering Life PO4 batteries from the same company for 5 years now without a single issue.
If I did ever have an issue, they would probably treat me exactly how Dakota Lithium is treating you, but that is exactly what I would expect. To pay 3-4 times the cost for the same treatment is pretty hard to swallow, especially when it is all based on bullshit marketing and image.
Care to share the brand of batteries you buy? You get them from Amazon or elsewhere?