topic Re: Luminara life span in Home

Luminara life span

Witchy Woman — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 14:58:33 GMT

Was changing batteries in my Luminara's last night and another two large candles have died.

The first one flashed after I changed the batteries and continued to do so with each set of fresh batteries. I finally gave up after fiddling with it for 30 minutes.

Another refused to stay lit.

They might be 2 years old and that's just too soon for them to poop out. Do you think the one's at Disneyworld die that quickly? Of course, money is no object for them

While I love the look, I'm done spending money on them.

I'm sure some have candles that will last and last, but I'm not one of them.

Re: Luminara life span

pattypeep — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 15:10:48 GMT

@Witchy Woman Boy, I don't blame you. They are expensive. I've purchased mine over a period of time, so I'm not sure how old some of them are, but I haven't had to throw one away "yet". Knock on wood !!

Re: Luminara life span

ValuSkr — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 15:15:16 GMT

Two years is too soon, I think, especially given how much they cost. Is there a warranty? In any case, I'd write the company expressing my disappointment. They might cut you a break on replacements.

Re: Luminara life span

Witchy Woman — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 15:27:13 GMT

@ValuSkr

@ValuSkr wrote:
Two years is too soon, I think, especially given how much they cost. Is there a warranty? In any case, I'd write the company expressing my disappointment. They might cut you a break on replacements.

I just took your suggestion and sent a message through their website. I had purchased 10 large Luminara's from Kohl's in December 2014.

We shall see.

Just so darned aggravating when they are NOT cheap!

Re: Luminara life span

MalteseMomma — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 15:20:48 GMT

I have always wondered how long they would last. The vendor should be telling us that info. now that I think of it!!

Re: Luminara life span

Krimpette — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 15:21:24 GMT

I recently thought one of my Luminara lanterns died. I tried new batteries, and no luck. But then I decided to switch the timer button and they came on. Evidently, I had set it inadvertently. Might be worth a try for you?

Re: Luminara life span

Witchy Woman — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 15:29:53 GMT

@Krimpette

Did all that without any luck.

As I mentioned, they were purchased at Kohl's and I've sent Luminara a message through their website.

@MalteseMomma

They are never going to tell you how long these things live (or don't live )

Some people probably have some that last for years, but it never seems to work out that way for me.

Re: Luminara life span

151949 — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 16:30:10 GMT

Once the bulb burns out there isn't much left to do.

Re: Luminara life span

Mominohio — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 17:16:25 GMT

I've only had one Luminara fail in the years I've been buying them, and it wasn't very old (maybe a year) when it happened.

I think like all mass manufactured things, some are going to be good, and then there will be batches that have flaws.

I'm guessing that with the big expanding sales they have been seeing the last few years, they are made quickly and not so well.

What I find with anything from sheets and towels to bras to dinnerware sets to flameless candles is ROTATE things if you want them to last. I have different colored candles for different seasons so they get to 'rest' for part of the year, without any batteries in them, and by doing this, I have only lost that one.

My guess is that if you have a product like this, and run it every day (even on the timer function) year in and year out without giving it a break, it won't last as long as those that are used on a more part time basis.

Re: Luminara life span

Spurt — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 18:46:13 GMT

I think Luminara has expanded into too many retailers now (QVC, gift shops, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Hobby Lobby, Kohls and their own website etc) and I think with that expansion their quality declined too......but they are just too expensive not too last.

However, I will say this, sometimes it's the battery..... I bought a new pack of Duracell batteries before Christmas (thought I'd need them for all the hours my Luminaras are on during the Christmas seeason) The batteries had been in their package unopened and were supposed to be good through 2025.....when I opened the package a couple of the batteries had leaked!!! I tried other batteries in the package that had no signs of leakage but they didnt work, so I returned them back to my grocery store and they allowed me to exchange it for a new pack of batteries......these worked fine and my candles worked fine..If your candles dont work, purchase a new and different battery package and see if the batteries are the problem......

So I think its a double whammy with a decline in quality both with Luminara and with Duracell...

Re: Luminara life span

Mominohio — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 18:41:09 GMT

@Spurt wrote:
I think Luminara has expanded into too many retailers now (QVC, gift shops, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Hobby Lobby, Kohls and their own website etc) and I think with that epansion their quality declined too......but they are just too expensive not too last. However, I will say this, sometimes it's the battery..... I bought a new pack of Duracell batteries before Christmas (thought I'd need them for all the hours my Luminaras are on during the Christmas seeason) They been in their package and were supposed to be good through 2025.....when I opened the package a couple of the batteries had leaked!!! I tried other batteries in thee package that had no signs of leakage but they didnt work, so I returned them back to my grocery store and they allowed me to exchange it a get a new package....these worked fine and my candles worked fine..If your candles dont work, purchase a new package and see if the batteries are the problem......So I think its a double whammy both with a decline in quality both with Luminara and with Duracell...

Batteries are getting less well made all the time. I used to never have a battery leak, and now, about half of them do.

A good little battery tester is a good investment. It helps you know for sure if your item is bad or just a bad batch of batteries.

Re: Luminara life span

Witchy Woman — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 13:35:03 GMT

Update:

No word from my note sent via the Luminara website.

Not much to be done other than live with those candles I have and not buy anymore. DH has multiple battery testers and, we always check.

It has never been the batteries.

I realize that things don't last "forever" but really, I expect more than 2 years of use from these candles.

Re: Luminara life span

SHOPR — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 16:28:32 GMT

@Witchy Woman, Very disappointing, and I agree, these expensive candles should be lasting much longer than 2 years.

I can no longer keep count of the number of websites that no longer respond to emails I've sent. I suppose they've all abandoned their email accounts and only check Facebook. It's really annoying to me. :-(

Re: Luminara life span

PA Mom-mom — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 18:12:43 GMT

I agree that two years is too short a lifespan for these candles. I started buying Luminara in 2012 or 13. They are all still working. Every once in a while, the battery cover becomes loose on a candle, and then we have to tape it shut in order for the batteries to make their connection. You might try Mirage candles. They are not quite as flickery as Luminara, but they are MUCH less expensive.