To take back light bulbs which don't last as long as promised

[thecheekofthem]

Paid £22.50 for three last April and two have died. The box says 10,000 hours

Are you sure it doesn't say 'up to' 10,000 hours?

YANBU though. I don't think they ever last anywhere near as long as advertised.

There are 8,760 ish hours in one year, so even if you had them on 24 hours a day, no that's nowhere near the ten thousand hours they claimed they were good for. I d be interested in what the shop would do if you took them back. We seem to get through a lot of bulbs too- must make a note of the date we put new ones in.

I was peeved when I bought them as I knew the previous set hadn't lasted so I kept the boxes and receipt.

Yes, take them back and let us know what happens please! I hate being misled by claims!

Just checked the box. It says "life hours - 10,000"

You have given me the confidence

Any legal eagles who might know what my rights are? Can I ask for a full refund?

Where are they from?

Can you prove you had the correct bulb for your light fitting?

And what bulbs were they?

I'm doing the same next time. The led light bulbs we have in our kitchen have been going for a year since we had the new lighting installed. Two have gone already and they should have lasted for years. Makes me very reluctant to buy the expensive energy saving bulbs.

LED aren't compatible with all light fittings as they are A energy rated and most fittings won't take them... If your fitting is already installed and you switch your bulbs to LED, don't assume they are going to just work! You need to keep the box/instructions

Im so glad that somebody else has noticed this, I keep saying to my husband that we should own a light bulb factory! I don't know anybody that takes them back if they don't last!!! It drives me mad!

I spent about £60 on loads of bloody light bulbs in Wilkinsons, about 5 went within 2 months. I took them back and they refunded.

Came along to this thread to grumble about exactly the same. Light bulbs costing a small fortune don't seem to last any length of time. (Yes Philips - looking at you!)

We should all take them back, but who keeps receipts and how does anybody prove how long they have lasted? Drives me potty, and they are so dear now!

That's the problem. When we used cheap lightbulbs it didn't matter if they blew quickly. But when you're paying a tenner for a lighbulb it does matter, particularly when its likely to be planned obsolescence (the manufacturers building in a limited lifespan).

DP is a manager for a store which sells loads of lightbulbs so I've asked him what he'd do.

I suspect he would replace rather than refund.

IIRC the boxes also say that they're good for a certain number of on/off switches. that may serve to limit how long they last. thigh I have to say that unless you've got a very annoying toddler constantly flicking the switch 200 times a day you're unlikely to see them go after a year.

The box says you can turn on and off 5000 times which is every half hour. No little ones at home. Big ones don't know how to use the off switch but that's for another thread

I am at the end of my tether with this one too!

As far as I can see we have all been forced to get rid of perfectly good lightbulbs in order to replace them with shit ones that blow far more often, have other problems, for us and the planet, and yet we are still being sold the same untrue crap!

So, from now on I too will be keeping the box and the receipt and timing the feckers!

I never thought I'd ask this... is there a petition?

I took one back which only lasted 2 months - was given a replacement straightaway.
I think these light bulbs are one big con and it enrages me. Yes, I know it is unreasonable to get into a rage about something trivial but.....
These low energy bulbs are supposed to last ages (they don't), they are supposed to be as bright as normal incandescent bulbs (they aren't) and they are supposed to save money (they don't).
Take them back and insist on a replacement or money back.

The number of hours quoted are usually from standard Lab tests, which I think, involve (a) very stable smooth power sources; (b) not switching on and off; (c) optimum conditions (temperature, humidity for example).
They never reflect RL, just like you never get the quoted MPG out of a car in RL. Having said that, I agree that the chasm between the claims and reality needs challenging. I too will keep box and receipt and return them.

With old tungsten filament bulbs the light emitted was the same for its whole life, until the filament failed. Low energy bulbs that is not the case and it changes with age. Again the quoted brightness will be the best, not a long-term figure. LEDs I'm not sure, but physics would suggest that they continue to emit the same light until the LED fails.

Sorry to jump in here, but I bought I light bulb for my DD yesterday - She has one of those ceramic white rabbit night lights and it is a very specific bulb I bought it in John Lewis for £8.50 , it's LED (the old one wasn't) but it sort of flickers when switched on, is this normal? Or should I take it back?

I had big issues with a child lamp. Replaced the bulb in JL - bulb was £12-50. It also flickered and then broken the lamp as it was too heavy. P*d off? Urr yeah!

We also go through light bulbs at a great rate of knots which is ridiculous considering there are no little children around. The trouble is that they rarely go so quickly you still have the receipt and remember exactly when and where you bought it but they last months rather than the years promised

Mrs Marigold- yes we have this in a number of lights- seems to be an acceptable if annoying norm
So glad others find this -Dh and I have been getting really annoyed. It doesn't seem to make any difference which shop/brand you use either.

I am always saying I am going to do this but I can never find the box or receipt. One day...........