Apparently we have to start keeping track of our lightbulbs. When we only paying a quarter a piece for a 60 watt bulb, we weren't too concerned if it flamed out in six months. But now that we're paying $3 to $5 for a CFL bulb or $10 to $70 for an LED bulb that's supposed to last much longer than an incandescent, maybe it's time to start a light bulb file.
Okay, I haven't started one yet myself, but I'm tempted to keep receipts and some of the original packaging in a file folder, not to mention the date that I installed the bulb. I hear from reraders all the time who say that the CFL bulbs aren't lasting as long as the package says they will. I haven't had that problem in my house yet, but I'd be mad if a retailer wouldn't give me credit.
For those of you who seethe in silence, it's important to ask for a refund or an exchange or manufacturers won't know that consumers aren't happy. And if you're not happy with the coloration or the brightness of the new LED bulb (both are common drawbacks in some but not all LEDs), return it.
Note of interest: i recently bough LED floodlights at Costco. I went back to Costco a couple of weeks ago and noticed they were gone. Then I get a letter this week saying that the company that makes them, Lights of AMerica, overstated the lifespan of the bulbs. Costco offered to take them back. Bravo for Costco, but I'm keeping them for now. I'm too lazy to get up on a ladder and replace them.
