Well, I didn't intend to store the light with batteries! I lost track of the whole package and completely forgot about it. But you're right- I've had some very good flashlights and a couple of remote controls ruined by storing them long term with batteries in them. Nice I guess that this one didn't have problems, but truth be told I consider Mag-Lites junk; it wouldn't have bothered me much. If the light is okay once I change the batteries I'll probably give it away. It's just a crappy product for the weight vs the output.