LED bulb died. No receipt, no packaging. How'd the return go?

LED bulb died. No receipt, no packaging. How'd the return go?

June 15, 2015 at 2:17PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Consumers who are less enamored of LED lightbulb technology than I am have complained to me over the years about their undesirable appearance, color and light dispersion (all true in early versions), but I am surprised when readers say LEDs fail prematurely. Most are guaranteed for five to 10 years and 50,000 hours or more.

Until last week, no LED bulb had failed on me. I assumed the unhappy consumers were buying inexpensive off-brands. I have had good luck with Philips and Cree brands, which are leading LED manufacturers.

But a Cree 3-way bulb that burned out last week was less than a year old. I didn't have the receipt to prove it, but Cree introduced the 3-way (30-60-100 watt) bulbs ($22 each) only a year ago. I took it to Home Depot without the original packaging or receipt, expecting to be turned away when I asked for a replacement.

Instead, I was given a new bulb without any problem. I also checked Cree's website about warranties. It said that a consumer can get a replacement if the bulb fails within 10 years if the consumer has the receipt and proof of purchase. I called Cree and asked if I could get a replacement without the receipt etc. The rep assured me that replacement without a receipt was no problem if Home Depot had turned me away. (He thought Home Depot only allowed returns within 90 days.)

I am not the only one having issues with Cree's 3-way bulb. A number of reviewers on Home Depot's site have also complained. Mike Watson, vice-president of product strategy at Cree in North Carolina, said that within a month of releasing the 3-way bulb last year, the company discovered a voltage spike when the user went rapidly through the 3 settings. "After we noticed a higher than normal return rate, we instituted a fix," he said. Since then the return rate is much lower, according to Watson.

If an LED bulb fails on you, don't assume you're out of luck without a receipt or proof or purchase. If the retailer won't take it back, check the company's website or 800 number.

about the writer

about the writer

John Ewoldt

Reporter

John Ewoldt is a business reporter for the Star Tribune. He writes about small and large retailers including supermarkets, restaurants, consumer issues and trends, and personal finance.  

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