Faulty Tesco replacement LED bulbs 28 December 2021 at 7:50PM in Praise, vent & warnings 19 replies 801 views

dosh37

In Oct 2019 I decided it was time to upgrade my domestic 230V AC tungsten bulbs to more energy efficient LED bulbs.

When I visited my local Tesco, I bought five LED bulbs. I made sure two of them were 'dimmable' since I have a pair of lamps plus a dimmer switch in my lounge.

The packaging stated a life expectancy of 15 years.

When I got home and tried them, I found the dimmer switch made a loud 50Hz buzzing noise that was totally unacceptable.

I reverted back to tungsten bulbs and fitted the two LED bulbs in my kitchen instead (no dimmer).

They seemed to work ok for a while.

However, more recently, after they have been on for several minutes and the base becomes hot, they begin to flicker, apparently at random.

This can be very annoying.

I tried to find an email address for Tesco Customer Services to complain but found nothing.

It may be 2 years since I bought the bulbs, but I don't see why I should put up with something that doesn't work properly.

What should I do?

Spies

What should you do?

Move on with life and buy replacements, you won't get anywhere after 2 years I'm afraid.

If you want to get off your chest send an email to [email protected] 

dosh37

Spies said:

What should you do?

Move on with life and buy replacements, you won't get anywhere after 2 years I'm afraid. 

So I should just roll over and accept being ripped off?

cx6

Take the two LED bulbs plus your receipt to a Tesco store and ask them to refund your £6 less a deduction for 2 years use.

dosh37

The cost of those faulty replacement bulbs would have paid for the electricity I would have used if I had stuck to tungsten lamps.

dosh37

Not only that, but the heat given out by the 'inefficient' tungsten lamps would have helped heat my room.

dosh37

It may be nothing to a huge organisation like Tesco but it makes a big difference when you are trying to survive on a pension.

dosh37

Maybe I should do like Reggie Perrin and start a business selling things that don't work.

dosh37

After all, China has been doing it for years.

sheramber

 LED dimmer bulbs  should be used with an LED dimmer switch, not an ordinary one.

dosh37

sheramber said:

 LED dimmer bulbs  should be used with an LED dimmer switch, not an ordinary one.

I am an electronic engineer.

Can you please explain that statement?