I obtained my 33C with one of the tabs broken, and since I continued to wedge in full size AA NiMH batteries in time the second one gave way too in time.
I now have proper size battery packs, but my workaround has been to wedge aluminum foil between the remaining nub of connector and the battery termini. This is only partly satisfactory--things function, but the connection is fussy and if not complete or snug enough the low-bat dot begins to flicker even if the battery is fully charged.
I understand this is a ubiquitous issue with the Spice series so I hope someone has a more enduring solution.
TIA,
Les