topic Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees in Home

Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

FlaGal59 — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 22:59:54 GMT

Beware of purchasing trees from Bethlehem Lights! I purchased a beautiful pre-lit LED tree in 9/2012. It was wonderful! Then last year, put the tree up and was dismayed that an entire string of lights was out. I pulled out my paperwork to check the warranty. 5 - years on lights, but as this was November, decided to wait until after the holidays to follow up. We just added an extra string to cover up the bare spot. As I was taking down the tree, I noticed that not only the one string was out, but also most of the blue and green bulbs as well. To make a long story short, after months of trying to get the issue resolved, which involved sending the tree back for repairs (at my expense), and finding out upon its return that it was never fixed, that customer service does not exist in that company. The only options for us were to either cut the plugs off all of the light strands and return them for a purchase price less 10% refund or they will send spare bulbs and new light strings and I could replace everything myself. I will NEVER buy anything from BL again! Maybe my experience is unique, but I'm not willing to take a chance.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

ical — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:34:54 GMT

And what is this holiday about again? Why bother with the tree at all and study the origin of what you're doing and why you're doing it. Once you do that, you'll just find cheer doesn't come from a strand of working lights, it comes every day. No offense intended, just trying to remind people to think before they do things they've never thought about due to habit or blind tradition. (It is blind if you didn't "see").

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

ValuSkr — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:10:26 GMT

On 10/12/2014 ical said:
And what is this holiday about again? Why bother with the tree at all and study the origin of what you're doing and why you're doing it. Once you do that, you'll just find cheer doesn't come from a strand of working lights, it comes every day. No offense intended, just trying to remind people to think before they do things they've never thought about due to habit or blind tradition. (It is blind if you didn't "see").

Oh my. Well, I think one can appreciate a tree while still appreciating the true meaning of Christmas. Having said that, my impression is that BL's quality has gone down in recent years. I used to think it was pretty good - in their early days on QVC - but now I hear too many complaints.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

jlkz — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:12:21 GMT

ICAL: from the post just how did you ascertain that OP doesn't know or care about the origin or meaning of the holiday ???? Her post is a sad commentary on the lack of customer service by a supposed leader in the lit tree decoration industry. It serves as a warning as to what can be expected if the decoration you put up to honor the reason for the season doesn't work mechanically. Your comment was extremely snarky and belittling.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

Nancy Drew — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:14:46 GMT

My issue with the ""pre lit"" tree was it looked like monkeys did the stringing of the lights. My husband had to totally take off all the lights and restring them.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

ical — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:17:15 GMT

On 10/12/2014 ValuSkr said:
On 10/12/2014 ical said:
And what is this holiday about again? Why bother with the tree at all and study the origin of what you're doing and why you're doing it. Once you do that, you'll just find cheer doesn't come from a strand of working lights, it comes every day. No offense intended, just trying to remind people to think before they do things they've never thought about due to habit or blind tradition. (It is blind if you didn't "see").

Oh my. Well, I think one can appreciate a tree while still appreciating the true meaning of Christmas. Having said that, my impression is that BL's quality has gone down in recent years. I used to think it was pretty good - in their early days on QVC - but now I hear too many complaints.

This is not to offend, and I appreciate you not replying as though I meant any offense (which I do not), but I can honestly say, with the purest of heart, that if you truly dug into good scholarly research which is easily accessible on the web (not fringe sites), you wouldn't have a tree. And, guess what? You'd feel at peace, free, and truly joyful because the tree has nothing to do with anything tied to all this "stuff" about.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

ical — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:18:45 GMT

On 10/12/2014 jlkz said: ICAL: from the post just how did you ascertain that OP doesn't know or care about the origin or meaning of the holiday ???? Her post is a sad commentary on the lack of customer service by a supposed leader in the lit tree decoration industry. It serves as a warning as to what can be expected if the decoration you put up to honor the reason for the season doesn't work mechanically. Your comment was extremely snarky and belittling.

If you put that tone on my comment, then it is you that put that tone on my comment. I happen to be having a mature discussion regarding the "need" for a tree.

The reader places the tone on what they read. I didn't write it in that tone. So don't read it that way.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

Buck-i-Nana — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:22:43 GMT

On 10/12/2014 ical said:
On 10/12/2014 jlkz said: ICAL: from the post just how did you ascertain that OP doesn't know or care about the origin or meaning of the holiday ???? Her post is a sad commentary on the lack of customer service by a supposed leader in the lit tree decoration industry. It serves as a warning as to what can be expected if the decoration you put up to honor the reason for the season doesn't work mechanically. Your comment was extremely snarky and belittling.

If you put that tone on my comment, then it is you that put that tone on my comment. I happen to be having a mature discussion regarding the "need" for a tree.

The reader places the tone on what they read. I didn't write it in that tone. So don't read it that way.

This is hardly having a "mature discussion" ical, no matter what you claim. The tree was already purchased, so what does your "mature suggestion" have to do with faulty merchandise?

If you don't want a tree, don't get one. Obviously, this person wanted and likes having a tree and the tree she purchased has not met the promised quality.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

Buck-i-Nana — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:23:49 GMT

On 10/12/2014 ical said:
On 10/12/2014 ValuSkr said:
On 10/12/2014 ical said:
And what is this holiday about again? Why bother with the tree at all and study the origin of what you're doing and why you're doing it. Once you do that, you'll just find cheer doesn't come from a strand of working lights, it comes every day. No offense intended, just trying to remind people to think before they do things they've never thought about due to habit or blind tradition. (It is blind if you didn't "see").

Oh my. Well, I think one can appreciate a tree while still appreciating the true meaning of Christmas. Having said that, my impression is that BL's quality has gone down in recent years. I used to think it was pretty good - in their early days on QVC - but now I hear too many complaints.

This is not to offend, and I appreciate you not replying as though I meant any offense (which I do not), but I can honestly say, with the purest of heart, that if you truly dug into good scholarly research which is easily accessible on the web (not fringe sites), you wouldn't have a tree. And, guess what? You'd feel at peace, free, and truly joyful because the tree has nothing to do with anything tied to all this "stuff" about.

Oh spare me. If you really want to dig in to good scholarly research, you wouldn't celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ at all!!!

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

MarthaStewardess — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:24:49 GMT

I bought a pre-lit tree about nine years ago. It wasn't from QVC or Bethlehem Lights. The first couple of years it was great. After that, each year another strand wouldn't work. I just added lights myself. It's a pretty shape tree and I still like it and will be putting it up again this year and putting lights on it. I will never buy another pre-lit tree, no matter what the brand is.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

ical — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:26:22 GMT

On 10/12/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:
On 10/12/2014 ical said:
On 10/12/2014 jlkz said: ICAL: from the post just how did you ascertain that OP doesn't know or care about the origin or meaning of the holiday ???? Her post is a sad commentary on the lack of customer service by a supposed leader in the lit tree decoration industry. It serves as a warning as to what can be expected if the decoration you put up to honor the reason for the season doesn't work mechanically. Your comment was extremely snarky and belittling.

If you put that tone on my comment, then it is you that put that tone on my comment. I happen to be having a mature discussion regarding the "need" for a tree.

The reader places the tone on what they read. I didn't write it in that tone. So don't read it that way.

This is hardly having a "mature discussion" ical, no matter what you claim. The tree was already purchased, so what does your "mature suggestion" have to do with faulty merchandise?

If you don't want a tree, don't get one. Obviously, this person wanted and likes having a tree and the tree she purchased has not met the promised quality.

Wha? Someone is upset over a pre lit tree and the company's customer service being non-existent. They are upset, feel ripped off. Right? And that is troublesome. They even jimmied up some strand to fix the lights not working because they didn't want to mess up another day over this. Then, putting the darn tree away, they notice other lights are out and the entire tree, with a five-year warranty is a piece of non-working stuff. Stuff used to celebrate a day. A special day defined by stuff that doesn't work, from a company tied to, by name, the holiday.

And you're saying it is not mature to tell the person to find joy without the stuff (the tree) which has no meaning at all to this holiday?

Explain that.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

ical — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:27:36 GMT

On 10/12/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:
On 10/12/2014 ical said:
On 10/12/2014 ValuSkr said:
On 10/12/2014 ical said:
And what is this holiday about again? Why bother with the tree at all and study the origin of what you're doing and why you're doing it. Once you do that, you'll just find cheer doesn't come from a strand of working lights, it comes every day. No offense intended, just trying to remind people to think before they do things they've never thought about due to habit or blind tradition. (It is blind if you didn't "see").

Oh my. Well, I think one can appreciate a tree while still appreciating the true meaning of Christmas. Having said that, my impression is that BL's quality has gone down in recent years. I used to think it was pretty good - in their early days on QVC - but now I hear too many complaints.

This is not to offend, and I appreciate you not replying as though I meant any offense (which I do not), but I can honestly say, with the purest of heart, that if you truly dug into good scholarly research which is easily accessible on the web (not fringe sites), you wouldn't have a tree. And, guess what? You'd feel at peace, free, and truly joyful because the tree has nothing to do with anything tied to all this "stuff" about.

Oh spare me. If you really want to dig in to good scholarly research, you wouldn't celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ at all!!!

Where does it say anyone does?

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

Mary Bailey — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:29:37 GMT

Look for a fiber optic tree. It's only 1 light bulb.

I need to replace my 15 year old FO only because some branches are starting to separate. It's beautiful and it's very heavy. I paid full price but it was worth every penny. I can't find one as tall as I want.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

candys mine — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:54:37 GMT

This was a heads up, buyer beware post. NOWHERE is CHRISTMAS even mentioned. Perhaps they celebrate Solstice. In which case lights on a green tree might be important. They never specified. Maybe they tried to avoid all this hub bub about the RIGHT way to celebrate.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

QMaven — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:01:25 GMT

On 10/12/2014 ical said:
And what is this holiday about again? Why bother with the tree at all and study the origin of what you're doing and why you're doing it. Once you do that, you'll just find cheer doesn't come from a strand of working lights, it comes every day. No offense intended, just trying to remind people to think before they do things they've never thought about due to habit or blind tradition. (It is blind if you didn't "see").

You are the one who needs to study the origin of what you are doing and why you're doing it. Once you do that, you'll find a perfect example of rudeness.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

lucymo — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:04:44 GMT

I have at least two Christmas trees every year and I do know and celebrate the true meaning of the day.

OP, I'm so sorry that you've had so much trouble with BL. I think their quality has declined and apparently so has their customer service. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

BabyYoda — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:16:42 GMT

A tree is a symbol of the Christmas holiday. The OP has every right to buy it and celebrate the holiday any way she chooses. What she didn't expect is that her hard earned money she spent on the tree went to waste. She got an inferior tree due to the lights going out which shouldn't happen and it shouldn't last only 1 season. They should sent the OP a new tree.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

minowica — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:28:23 GMT

I too had trouble with a Bethlehem lights tree we bought in 2012. lights half lite on Christmas day of all days just as we were meeting our sons girlfriend who is very religious. So after the holidays we called both Qvc and Bethlehem lights . First Qvc told us to call Bethlehem lights because of the 5 year warranty which we did. We didn't like their answer to ship at our expense the tree too them for them to decide what was to be done fix, replace or refund . So we called qvc corporate and got the best results ever they told us to ship it back to them and since we had original box and paper work it was easy. We got a full refund including shipping costs on the return label. Best company to deal with. stand behind their products. But from now on will not buy a tree form any online company only buy real or in store much easier and cheaper. Just seen a tree this week at Costco had lights that went clear or colo on same tree and 9ft less than $400, 7.5ft less than $300.

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

EnglishRose88 — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:44:01 GMT

On 10/12/2014 FlaGal59 said: Beware of purchasing trees from Bethlehem Lights! I purchased a beautiful pre-lit LED tree in 9/2012. It was wonderful! Then last year, put the tree up and was dismayed that an entire string of lights was out. I pulled out my paperwork to check the warranty. 5 - years on lights, but as this was November, decided to wait until after the holidays to follow up. We just added an extra string to cover up the bare spot. As I was taking down the tree, I noticed that not only the one string was out, but also most of the blue and green bulbs as well. To make a long story short, after months of trying to get the issue resolved, which involved sending the tree back for repairs (at my expense), and finding out upon its return that it was never fixed, that customer service does not exist in that company. The only options for us were to either cut the plugs off all of the light strands and return them for a purchase price less 10% refund or they will send spare bulbs and new light strings and I could replace everything myself. I will NEVER buy anything from BL again! Maybe my experience is unique, but I'm not willing to take a chance.

Do they still sell that particular BL tree? If so, I have a solution to your problem. Order a new tree. When it arrives, send the old tree back with the paperwork from the new tree. QVC will never know the difference. They will credit your account and you have a new tree!

Re: Buyer Beware: Bethlehem Lights Pre-lit Trees

Q4u — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:53:17 GMT

No matter what is purchased or the time of year, we as consumers have the right to expect to receive an item that is made with quality. After all, we are TOLD it's quality. If not, we also have the right to complain about it and to never purchase from that company again, especially if the service was atrocious.

I for one am horrified with what the OP has gone through. I mean, all she wanted was a Christmas tree she could depend on..... how hard can that be considering the high price of fake Christmas trees?