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Faulty Tesco replacement LED bulbs

dosh37
dosh37 Posts: 375 Forumite
Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
in Praise, vent & warnings
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?

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Comments

  • Spies
    Spies Posts: 2,101 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Photogenic Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    edited 28 December 2021 at 8:54PM
    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 customer.services@tesco.co.uk 
    4.29kWp Solar system, 45/55 South/West split in cloudy rainy Cumbria. 
  • dosh37
    dosh37 Posts: 375 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    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
    cx6 Posts: 1,176 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    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
    dosh37 Posts: 375 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    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
    dosh37 Posts: 375 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Not only that, but the heat given out by the 'inefficient' tungsten lamps would have helped heat my room.

  • dosh37
    dosh37 Posts: 375 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    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
    dosh37 Posts: 375 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Maybe I should do like Reggie Perrin and start a business selling things that don't work.

  • dosh37
    dosh37 Posts: 375 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    After all, China has been doing it for years.
  • sheramber
    sheramber Posts: 20,093 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary I've been Money Tipped! 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
     LED dimmer bulbs  should be used with an LED dimmer switch, not an ordinary one.
  • dosh37
    dosh37 Posts: 375 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 28 December 2021 at 11:17PM
    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?


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