That has happened to me twice. Either it was a fake, or it was used. If your friend got it on ebay, that is most likely the problem. If it doen't seem like a real tama, or does anything odd. I wouldn't worry about getting new batteries.
The tamas that I've ordered online, their batteries have usually lasted no longer than a month. Online orders for tamas must have weaker batteries in them. The ones I've bought in a store, their batteries usually last about a month and a half to two and a half months.
was it used? did u get it on ebay? ebay hjas a lot of rip offs i heard in Newfoundland and labrodor (canada) a person bought an "iPod" then when it came in it was just a box!