new batteries are dead

[wireties]

We bought 2 new batteries from AndyMark and neither will charge. They show no potential across the terminals. When we plug them into the old style (like 6 years old) chargers, the charging indicator does not light up.

Do we need the new style charger (perhaps they have a conditioning mode or something) to get a new (and dead) battery running? Its hard to believe the batteries are actually dead.

Anyone have special knowledge of this failure mode and/or our goofy human error?

TIA