Alkaline? Lithium? Rechargeables?
With alkalines, I've often run into bad batches, where brand new ones don't last worth diddly. Never used single-use lithium's much, but I assume the same can happen with them. And every so often I used to get a bad charge on a pair of AA NiMH. No battery's perfect, IME. Though I've yet to experience problems with my 9v universal DVD lithium batteries (knock on wood),