Lightbulb diagnostics?

I recently bought a boatload of LED bulbs for my house, mostly the 40W equivalent discount brand ("ecosmart") from Home Depot because the price was much better than anything else I found.

My initial experience was not entirely positive - over 10% had problems - but when I called Home Depot they did not hassle me about it. They just told me to bring them back and get replacements, and they said they could do that even though I'm not sure I can find my receipts. I was surprised.

They surprised me with something else, too: They said that the store will return the bulbs to the manufacturer so the manufacturer can run 'diagnostic tests'. Diagnostic tests on a light bulb? I know, LED bulbs have sophisticated electronics. Still. I was surprised. The only diagnostic test I am accustomed to doing with a light bulb is screwing it to see if it works.

Reply 1 : Lightbulb diagnostics?

...and, every morning when you flip on the switch, you have to wait for MS updates to complete before they'll give off light.

Reply 2 : Lightbulb diagnostics?

a) A blue screen of light

and

b) a chance to download IE9

Reply 3 : Lightbulb diagnostics?

They want to know WHY?

You mentioned 10% failure rate. Kinda high for NEW?

Reply 4 : Lightbulb diagnostics?

Strictly speaking, only about 7% (1 of 14) completely failed so far. One bulb burned out within a few weeks. One bulb does still work but it makes a lot of noise when it is turned on. Hence the statement that over 10% had 'problems'. I do recognize that my small sample size may not give an accurate estimate of the product's overall failure rate but I do find it surprising.

Reply 5 : Lightbulb diagnostics?

you can't "see" the light unless you view it through a camera when testing

Reply 6 : Lightbulb diagnostics?

but I believe the only difference is a power supply to change 110 AC to some low DC, and do it with long-term safety to the consumer.
Power supplies of various kinds represent a mature technology IMO.
You didn't mention a price, but here they're in the $35 - $55 range.

Reply 7 : Lightbulb diagnostics?

When I bought the first 20 bulbs I paid $9.97, which was apparently an introductory price. The latest purchase price was $17.98 for what appears to be the same bulb.

Unfortunately, they did not quite live up to their obligations (or at least not yet) because they made me exchange the defective bulbs for credit at the original price and then I had to buy the replacements at current list price. I think that means they defaulted on their guarantee.

I WAS a happy customer until I realized how they were going to play the game. Now I'm nearly as unhappy as I was when the lights started developing problems.

Reply 8 : Lightbulb diagnostics?

I complained at the web site and the same customer service person who talked to me before sent an email stating that the store had handled the problem inappropriately. They are supposed to be mailing me a gift certificate to make up the difference.

Reply 9 : Lightbulb diagnostics?

And by "deliberate" I didn't mean fraud, but making you a part of their beta testing. Even The Evil Dr. Gates gives us a warning of that.
Except for the communication problem their tactic now seems reasonable.