GU10 50w Halogen bulbs £2 !!

Rex_Mundi

A couple of weeks ago my local B and Q were doing packs of 6 GU10 50W 2000hrs at a fiver. I've bought at least the next years worth!

robowen

Typical !!

There was me thinking I was getting a bargain, and here's you lot getting yours for half my price. !!

I think it looks like quality is the big issue here. I won't buy from b&q as I know from experience they are rubbish. I won't buy from poundland either for the same reason.

I like the look of these from Homebase, they look somehow...better made, I know its sounds daft.
So far, these are the only ones to last 3 months.
I have bought the brand names too, the ones that guarantee so many hours, they don't last either.
I'm terrible for keeping receipts and can't be bothered to take them back when they pop within the guarantee.
I really can't be bothered to go have an argument with a store manager over a light bulb....its not worth it, and they know it too !

JasonW_2

I get mines from IKEA. Cant remember the price, but they last for ages and are very reasonably priced.

Rex_Mundi

I think it looks like quality is the big issue here. I won't buy from b&q as I know from experience they are rubbish.

I've read a few times people saying how often their bulbs need changing. I've always used B and Q bulbs. I need 6 for my living room. I don't have to change bulbs that often! Never had what I would regard as a problem. I don't know whether this is because I have a dimmer switch. Quite often in the evenings I will drop the lighting a fraction. My switch is remote control. When I turn them on, the lights don't come on full straight away,they start low and build up till I take my finger off the button (takes about a second or so).

I normally have to change a bulb every couple of months. I think this is good considering the amount I have.

RufusA

I agree about the quality of bulbs, doesn't necessarily mean they'll last longer, BUT you get good customer service.

I was getting frustrated with Osram GU9 (240V little halopin capsules) needing to be changed frequently at £5 a shot. Sent an email to Osram, complaining that they didn't seem to last the quoted 1500hrs. Got a reply back asking me to send in a sample of a failed one.

Then by return of post I got a letter of apology, and a pack of 10 free bulbs!

It was at that point I started totting up how many hours the lights were on per day over winter, how many bulbs I had in the living room etc. Worked out that I should be changing a bulb every 3 weeks - an expensive habit! Sadly used the last of my free ones yesterday, so if anyone knows a cheap source of 40W clear GU9s, let me know!

Rufus.

BigAde

Rex_Mundi wrote:

I don't know whether this is because I have a dimmer switch.

I have one of these too ...you are right, this will increase the life of the bulb If you think about when a light-bulb normally blows - it's when you switch the lights on.
So with a dimmer switch with a "slow-on" feature, the current through the filament increases more slowly on startup reducing stress on the filament... hence reducing the chances of the bulb blowing on startup.

robowen

Rex_Mundi wrote:

I don't know whether this is because I have a dimmer switch.

I normally have to change a bulb every couple of months. I think this is good considering the amount I have.

I think a dimmer switch is definitely the way forward. It makes sense to me. If you put the lights on, you get full power to a cold bulb, so they pop, whereas a slower start may help.
Anyway, I can't afford a dimmer..I'm spending all my money on bulbs !!

Paul1_2

Try e-bay for GU9 and GU10 bulbs, normal rate is 10 for the the price you'd normally pay for two. The GU9's are 2500 hour rated and the customer service has been great. The seller for the GU9's sent clear instead of frosted: refunded £1.20 to cover the 30p return postage and gave me two extra bulbs!

Paul1

Sui_Generis

Oh well as no one else has mentioned it


How about 10 GU10 50w bulbs for 99p?


There is a seller on eBay offering them for 99p with p&p of £4.99, making them about 60p each? Of course the postage is a little less but for the price who's counting...

I bought them thinking they wouldn't turn up etc and the guy is absolutely genuine - well at least my bulbs appeared as ordered. He has a +ve rating count of 1160 currently, search for "just-lamps". HTH

Mikeboy_2

10 for £6? Not bad, but Poundland is slightly cheaper with 5 twin packs!