Save your GE CFL bulb receipts and packaging!

[Free4Life11]

I just had one die on me after 2 months.....these things are supposed to last 5 years? Anyway, they have changed their policy and now you can get a replacement bulb if it does not last 5 years. You do NOT have the send back the broken bulb, just the receipt & UPC.

 

[mikehn]

Why should the consumer have to save the receipt. These bulbs haven't been out very long. GE should just send you a new one, receipt or not. Im not saving a receipt for a stupid light bulb. GE needs to get their sh.. together.

 

[fakereadhed]

I would not put those in my house.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I hate the CFL bulbs. The light is awful. It's going to be a bad day for me on the day I can't get my incandescent light bulbs anymore. I don't save packaging or receipts unless it's something I may have to return.

If I had to save light bulb packaging and receipts, that would be a pain in the you know where. In my living room alone, I'm looking at 6 lamps plus the overhead light that has 3 bulbs. I like alot of light. LOL

 

[rflorek]

I have been using CFLs for more than 5 years with only 3 burnouts. I bought a lower price brand from Home Depot that came in 4 packs and replaced every bulb in my house. I wouldn't spend the money on GE brand - too expensive.

 

[Free4Life11]

Why should the consumer have to save the receipt. These bulbs haven't been out very long. GE should just send you a new one, receipt or not. Im not saving a receipt for a stupid light bulb. GE needs to get their sh.. together.

I agree, but a few years ago I think they wanted you to send the actualy bulb back so at least it's some improvement.

I actually like the newer GE CFL's and think the quality has improved greatly...but only lasting 2 months? Give me a break. They need to figure out a way the CFL's can last AND be frequently turned on and off...unless they just want us to leave the lights on more than we need to...and negate the energy savings??

 

[SetzKitten]

I'm so glad to read this. I just bought a bunch last week and one burned out after 3 days. Crazy.

 

[bpesch]

I stopped buying GE CFL bulbs a while ago. I had an entire 8 pack that I got from Sam's and every single bulb burned out within a few months. I wrote to the company and they sent me a coupon for replacements. Same thing happened again. I finally gave up and won't buy their CFL bulbs anymore.

 

[tefrench]

I am not a fan of cfl's. We have had quite a few burn out. I honestly don't know why these things are so touted as being so great. Worse for the environment, more expensive, etc.

 

[nunzia]

I would not put those in my house.

I agree..we are replacing all of our stupid twirly bulbs going back to the regular onse. In 2 months we've had 2 overheat and start melting putting out a horrible smell (thses bulbs contain mercury BTW). I think I heard that the gov't backed down on getting rid of the old fashioned bulbs..hope so because we are changing out.

 

[bop28]

I complained at Lowe's about these high dollar bulbs blowing out and I was told that these new energy saving bulbs don't like to be turned ON and OFF. They last longer if you leave them burning.

 

[Muushka]

A tad off topic but my greatest fear of the CFL lightbulb (which we have used for many years now, no complaints and didn't do it to be green, we did it to save green $$)):

My fear is that they will ban the CFL because of the mercury and require LED instead. Has anyone seen the prices of LED lightbulbs???

OP, good tip!

 

[granmanh603]

I am not a fan of cfl's. We have had quite a few burn out. I honestly don't know why these things are so touted as being so great. Worse for the environment, more expensive, etc.

I have to say I agree, I have not had one that lasted any longer than any regular bulb and with the old bulbs at least I could see. I think choice is fine but when mandated not so good.

 

[Free4Life11]

UPDATE: By replacing the bulb, they mean send you a coupon for $5.00 off any package of GE Bulbs. Great...except the bulb I bought cost more than $5.00

 

[floridascgirl]

I have a basket with 4 burned out bulbs (from the last year) and I'm wondering how to properly dispose of them. I really don't want to make a trip to the landfill and drop them off at a special place. Does anyone know if you can just return them to Lowe's and they will dispose of them for you?

 

[scrapquitler]

I have a basket with 4 burned out bulbs (from the last year) and I'm wondering how to properly dispose of them. I really don't want to make a trip to the landfill and drop them off at a special place. Does anyone know if you can just return them to Lowe's and they will dispose of them for you?

I have just been throwing them away in the trash. They are not recyclable in our area with our regular recycling.

I tihnk that I am 'supposed' to take them to the special hazardous waste recycling event that is held about once a quarter in my town...unfortunately, that is only held on Saturday morning, when I can't go. So I'm just putting them in the trash.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I have just been throwing them away in the trash. They are not recyclable in our area with our regular recycling.

I tihnk that I am 'supposed' to take them to the special hazardous waste recycling event that is held about once a quarter in my town...unfortunately, that is only held on Saturday morning, when I can't go. So I'm just putting them in the trash.

You are supposed to take them back to the store that you bought them at. Due to the Mercury they are not supposed to go into the trash. For example I take all my bulbs back to walmart and they at least in t heory recycle them. SAme with any store around here that sells them. THey have a bin t hat they are put in. Just take them to the store and ask where they take the returns. I am not a fan of these bulbs either though we do use them. I am thinking of converting to LED slowly since they are more expensive but are said to have a longer life span up to 10 years.

 

[bop28]

Don't you think that driving expired bulbs around in a car, negate the energy savings of these bulbs? I'd like to see an actual, real energy savings bulb. Just because we're told these save energy, doesn't make it so.

 

[Free4Life11]

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

What should I do with a CFL when it burns out?
EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of available local recycling options for compact fluorescent light bulbs. EPA is working with CFL manufacturers and major U.S. retailers to expand recycling and disposal options. Consumers can contact their local municipal solid waste agency directly, or go to www.epa.gov/cfl/cflrecycling.html or www.earth911.org to identify local recycling options.

If your state or local environmental regulatory agency permits you to put used or broken CFLs in the garbage, seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put it into the outside trash, or other protected outside location, for the next scheduled trash collection. Never send a fluorescent light bulb or any other mercury-containing product to an incinerator.

 

[Judique]

A tad off topic but my greatest fear of the CFL lightbulb (which we have used for many years now, no complaints and didn't do it to be green, we did it to save green $$)):

My fear is that they will ban the CFL because of the mercury and require LED instead. Has anyone seen the prices of LED lightbulbs???

OP, good tip!

I purchased one very expensive LED for one of our bathrooms. The family complains that the light is spooky. It's the 'spot' or can light that goes over the toilet and has a separate switch for it and the fan. I paid over $30 and I am not replacing it unless it blows out! (It's not in my bath!) There are several other individually controlled lights in there, for the sink, vanity and I notice those are the ones left on all the time, so the LED is not getting much use! It's been in there several years and still works.