- Report: #39759
Complaint Review: Full Spectrum Solutions Full Spectrum Fluorescent Light - , Jackson Michigan
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Full Spectrum Solutions Full Spectrum Fluorescent Light
4880 Brooklyn Road , Jackson, 49201 Michigan, U.S.A.
Phone:
517-764-3570
Web:
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Full Spectrum Solutions, Full Spectrum Fluorescent Light false advertising dangerous full spectrum fluorescent lights poor customer service ripoff Jackson Michigan
*Author of original report: Thanks for the tip!
*0: Full Spectrum Solutions, full spectrum fluorescent lights, Jackson Michigan
*Consumer Suggestion: Misreading Return Policy
*REBUTTAL Owner of company: I have a problem with this report
*Author of original report: Of course they changed the website....they got a call from their Attorney Generals Office
*Consumer Suggestion: get a better bulb
As recessed lights are by nature mostly enclosed I assume this means not to put them in recessed lights which have covers over the lamp as well--ours do not
Purchased a set of fluorescent lights that are supposed to replace and mimic the use of standard R30 flood lamps....commonly used in recessed lighting. Lamps and reflectors are purchased seperatley--reflector is referred to as "R30 Reflector Flood". see online at http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/Fluorescent.htm
Upon receiving them found that the reflectors came with covers which did not fit as the lamps extend beyond the length of the reflectors. Cracked one in an attempt to put them together.
One or two days later one of the lamps started having difficulty. Following day a different lamp burned out with a popping/sizzling sound. When I removed the lamp one of the vents was burnt, partially melted and smoldering.
After....When I removed the lamp one of the vents was burnt, partially melted and smoldering
I called the company and left a message which was never returned. One week later I got through to someone who told me to submit an online form. I did and the response was unsatisfactory.
There seems to be an attempt by them to totally discount their liability in what could very easily have been a serious problem. In their brouchure it states "Because these lamps operate at temperatures 60% cooler, you can use them in any fixture that the lamp will fit." There is no mention of problems using the lights for recessed lighting in any of the promotional material, only a warning on the side of the bulb (which I read after they arrived) that states not to use them in "totally enclosed recessed fixture". As recessed lights are by nature mostly enclosed I assume this means not to put them in recessed lights which have covers over the lamp as well--ours do not.
Following is part of the email exchanges between us:
********************
Your response is not acceptable. I have lodged a complaint with the BBB in your area and will be following up with other consumer protection agencies.
I've reviewed your web and print advertising and feel you are likely to have severe problems with false claims. Your Paralite brouchure clearly states "Because these lamps operate at temperatures 60% cooler, you can use them in any fixture that the lamp will fit." The bulb states "Not for use with dimmers or in totally enclosed recessed fixture."--nowhere on your site does it say this, only the bulb. Our lamps are standard recessed fixtures, open at the bottom and not on dimmers. Clearly these bulbs are a serious hazard to consumers and your advertising is misleading.
-----Original Message-----
From: Full Spectrum Solutions [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2002 3:15 PM
To: Robert
Subject: RE: Data posted to form 1 of
http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/RMA-FORM.htm
It is your responsibility to return the products if you do not want them and they are subject to our return policy as stated below.
The lights can not burn they are made of fireproof material. Until we test them and receive your return we do not know what happened to them.
The only time they have burned up is when customers use them on dimmers or put them in enclosed recessed fixtures. It states very clearly on each bulb not to do that.
The picture clearly shows the light without a lens cover and it shows it sticking out past the cover as advertised.
Customer Service
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2002 3:53 PM
To: Full Spectrum Solutions
Subject: RE: Data posted to form 1 of
http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/RMA-FORM.htm
I'm dissapointed by your response.
The lights clearly represent a fire hazard. I have no intention of using your compact flourescent lights in my home, I don't want to put my house and family at further risk.
That you would expect me to pay to return the covers that do not work as designed, is unacceptable. The picture in your advertising shows the lamp below the rim of the reflector, not above. The covers for the reflectors are not mentioned in the advertising....however it follows that if there are covers they should fit.
I want full refund for the 6 flourescent bulbs, 4 covers and shipping costs for return.
Thank you,
Robert
Robert
Kirkland, Washington
U.S.A.
STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Ryan
Monrovia,California,
U.S.A.
get a better bulb
#2Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 15, 2006
next time get a bulb that meets safety standard such as UL,ETL,or CSA listed I always tested bulbs try buy some from a store next time
Robert
Kirkland,Washington,
U.S.A.
Of course they changed the website....they got a call from their Attorney Generals Office
#3Author of original report
Fri, October 24, 2003
1) As for the light...uh....what cover on the bottom. It's the same open ended fixture that everyone has. Kinda makes you wonder what the meaning of is...is. 2) They may have changed their promotional material but I have the original website saved for anyone that needs it. I also have the printed material (which is in the scan above) all you have to do is read for yourself. Don't buy anything from these people. All they do is lie lie lie.
Michael Nevins, President
Jackson,Michigan,
U.S.A.
I have a problem with this report
#4REBUTTAL Owner of company
Thu, October 23, 2003
Mr. Kirkland has never filed a return claim with our company. We have no way to verify his claim without the defective merchandise returned. If I were to base our response on what he has stated we have two problems with his complaint. 1. The bulb was installed in a recessed fixture that was totally enclosed at the bottom. It is clear by his pictures that this is the case. 2. We have clear warnings on the web site and these warnings are written on each bulb we ship. I am not sure we could be more careful about the warning. Mr. Kirkland is afraid because the lamp created smoke and an odor in his house so he is convinced that this lamp will burn his house down. We had our UL engineer call us about Mr. Kirklands claim. He stated that the burn marks are typical for CFL's when they overheat. UL or ETL approved CFL's have to be manufactured with fireproof material. They can not burn! One point I want to make is that Robert's response to Mr. Kirkland was professional and informative. He stated that Mr. Kirkland misread the return policy. We believe that Mr. Kirkland not only did not read the return and warranty policy, but that he never read any warnings or instructions on the web site or on the bulbs themselves. I have a problem with this report existing when it is clear that Mr. Kirkland has used our product outside of its intended use and created this problem for himself. Full Spectrum Solutions
Robert
Kirkland,Washington,
U.S.A.
Thanks for the tip!
#5Author of original report
Sun, January 19, 2003
Howard,
I'm aware they will replace the lamps...point was I wouldn't use lamps that are capable of burning my house down. Since their advertising HAS NO WARNING, and the bulb warning is so confusing as to need an "Licensed Electrian" approval; I think the least they can do is take their lights back and refund ALL my money.
I can't see that the bulbs are UL approved. Where do you see that? There is no UL logo on the bulb.
That you think I should get an electrician's approval before using lamps that are ""60% cooler and you can use them in any fixture the the lamp will fit", is interesting. I think they need to make their products safer, warnings clearer and their advertising more accurate. I'm the customer--Not an electrical engineer. I bought light bulbs, I expect to use them as I use any light bulb.
Thanks for the tip on sending them to the UL!
Robert
Kirkland, Washington
U.S.A.
Howard
Ingleside,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Misreading Return Policy
#6Consumer Suggestion
Sat, January 18, 2003
Robert,
You misread the return policy. For DEFECTIVE items there is no restocking charge, yes you have to pay for frieght but UPS is cheap. From the picture you provided it looks like there was a short in the bulb. The bulb and the case did not burn. The burn marks are from the electrical short itself. If the bulb had not been in a metal cup there MAY have been a fire. These bulbs as you can see are UL approved. There are strict conditions, tests and documentation that must be met before UL approves a product.
Next, you should have gotten clearification of what they mean by completely enclosed fixture. The type of fixture that you have can be construed to be completely enclosed. If I was you I would get a clearification from a Licensed Electrian. You should have one check the fixture out before using it to make sure it was not damaged.
Lastly, you can send the lamp to UL for them to check it out.
Full Spectrum Solutions, full spectrum fluorescent lights, Jackson Michigan
#70
Thu, January 02, 2003
Addendum:
Their return policy is for customers to pay return shipping and restocking fee. The only thing offered was to replace the two lamps that were involved. I had purchased six lamps and wouldn't consider using any of them due to the obvious fire hazard. I'm not about to pay shipping and restocking fees.
