Are there any reports of the CoolPix 3500's developing extremely poor battery life after a few years?

Beginning just after the warranty expired, I began to notice my camera had progressively worsening battery life. Replacement batteries were bought, but also had problems, although the most recent ones do work just fine in a friend's 2500 (takes an identical battery). I initially thought the new batteries were to blame, but I now think it's the camera.

At this point, my CoolPix 3500 is becoming useless: after a few exposures with a fresh battery, I touch the zoom, and the whole thing shuts down with a dead battry error message. I can temporarily fix it by pulling the battery out and reinserting it. The camera thinks the battery is dead, when it's not.

I note on this forum that 3100 users have reported a very similar battery problem, and some fixed it with a firmware upgrade. I am trying to find out from the Nikon Customer Support Forum, what can be done for a 3500, but so far no response.

Is this a general Nikon problem? Can anyone let me know exactly what have other 3500 users been able to do about it? Bear in mind, this problem surfaces after the warranty expires!

A request for assistance was posted on the Nikon support forum some time ago and when I last checked their response was no response.

So, it seems Nikon agrees with mbrady's answer, that is, time to toss the camera and buy a new one! Imagine, a $300 disposable camera, but that is Nikon's response.

I may add that some outlets are still selling existing stock of this out-of-production camera, so buyer beware.

I will soon be looking for a new camera, and, I don't think you can blame me, but after this experience, it will not be a Nikon! And I always had thought a camera bearing the Nikon name would be a safe choice ...