Comments on: Five Year Guaranteed Light Bulbs? How Can I Lose???

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:58:38 +0000

When I first moved into my house in 2003, I replaced most of the existing lights with Commercial Electric CFLs from Home Depot. They are only starting to burn out after nearly 5 years of running >>4h avg / day.

I bought a pack of GE CFL bulbs from Wal-mart to start replacing the CFLs, and I must admit that I took note of the “5 year” guarantee. They’re starting to burn out after only two months in the same fixtures as the HD bulbs!

I wonder if GE makes these CFLs special (=cheaper) for Wal-mart. Kind of like their tubesocks that are 1/2 the thickness they used to be. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

By: Rita

Rita — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:33:26 +0000

I just bought some of those CFL light bulbs and they work great. They are really saving me a lot of money and they last so long. I like how small they are too.

By: A1 Medical Supplies

A1 Medical Supplies — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:27:32 +0000

That was an interesting post. I had always seen the 5-year guarantee, but never read the fine print. Thanks.

By: Brent

Brent — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:56:31 +0000

I did the same routine of replacing every bulb in the house with these CFL things. Now, about 9 months later, I’m replacing them one by one with the remainder of the 8-packs. I though perhaps I had a bad batch, but from your posts, it looks like this is par for the course.

I’m not bothering to take them back (it would cost me more in time than the stupid things are worth), but a 5 year guarantee…not a chance. I will be (pleasantly) surprised if I haven’t replaced every last one of these things before a year is out. Bottom line, if you like changing bulbs at least once a year, and you don’t mind paying (up front) six times what a regular bulb costs, buy them. Factoring in the higher cost of the bulb and the lower energy consumption, each bulb could save you a whole dollar in the long run each year, but you’ll have worked hard to earn it by climbing up and down a ladder and cursing under your breath every time you switch one out.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:40:33 +0000

You will not be able to get anything for the GE coupons. No store accepts them. GE coupons are worthless, their stocks as well.

By: James

James — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:45:37 +0000

I had a 5 year cabinet light bulb that was finished in just over a year. I called GE and after some talk they sent me two coupons at $10 maximum each. I went to LOWE’S with those GE coupons and took two bulbs at around $5-$6 each and presenteed the GE coupons to the cashier. She ran the bar code scanner and it did not accept the coupons, then she asked Cust. Svc. and they said GE coupons are NOT accepted at LOWE’S. I tried Home Depot and Walmart - same story. Now why would GE send me worthless coupons? WARNING to GE investors and stockholders! Your GE stock is worth nothing!

By: Quiglag.com » RIP incandescent light bulb.

Quiglag.com » RIP incandescent light bulb. — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:07:41 +0000

[...] dim bulbs give you crappy lighting, don’t live up to their longevity promises, and are a pain in the neck to dispose of–but they sure make enviro-nitwits and Big Greenie water-carriers feel good about [...]

By: Michelle Malkin » Incandescent stupidity: Washington outlaws 100-watt lightbulbs

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:30:52 +0000

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 03:39:27 +0000

bob, I suspect GE has tiny cameras in each bulb that’ll let them know the answer to that question. Oh, and it might be a good idea to keep the CFLs out of the bathroom.

By: bob

bob — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 03:25:39 +0000

How can you prove to GE that the bulb was used only 4 hours a day/7 days a week? Show them a recent utility bill?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 00:34:40 +0000

I sent my UPC and receipt back to GE without the bulb. 2 weeks later, I received an apology letter for the bulb burning out prematurarly and a $10 off coupon on GE bulbs.

Let’s see… 1 bulb burned out and I almost got a 6 pack as a replacement. Go GE!

By: Plus6

Plus6 — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 23:37:26 +0000

SuperJason:

Great tip on taking the bulbs back to Home Depot. I am definitely going to do that next time I need bulbs. Home Depot is the best, they will pretty much take anything back it seems.

By: Commenters Confirm Consumer Conspiracies | Punny Money

Commenters Confirm Consumer Conspiracies | Punny Money — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:35:34 +0000

[...] though they’ll save you about $80,000 a year on your electric bill, CFL bulbs carry a sneaky warranty. In short, it can cost more to mail in a broken CFL bulb for replacement than to just buy a new [...]

By: How Much Will You Save With the Longer Daylight Saving Time? About 86 Cents. | Punny Money

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 23:51:15 +0000

[...] year thanks to the extension of Daylight Saving Time. And if your house already made the switch to energy-saving CFL bulbs like we did, cut that savings to 19 [...]

By: SuperJason

SuperJason — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:16:36 +0000

I buy mine at Home Depot. If they burn out within the warranty, take them into the store and they’ll replace them. I just did it for 4 bulbs, and they gave me a new receipt! That means the new ones are guaranteed again! I can also send in the rebate again if I like.

I specifically bought them there because of the warranty policy, and because I know the vanity lights seem to burn out quickly.

The new ones also have a longer warranty.