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I’m starting to wonder if, with the “push” for CFLs, quality is starting to suffer.

I was given my first set of CFL bulbs (5 or 6 of them), back in 1995 or 96 as part of a pilot program in my apartment building. They’ll all still working.

I had gradually ramped up usage of them, as my ability to spend the extra $$$ (relative to other opportunity costs) on them improved.

The older ones have largely worked well - probably not even a 2 or 3% failure rate outside of their stated lifespan - with many continuing to function well beyond. The newer ones, purchased in the last couple years, are absolute crap. Of a set of four bulbs (CFL bulbs embedded inside of a floodlight frame), which I bought only three or four months ago, have had a 50% failure rate.

I didn’t, and never will, buy these things because of the green/enviro argument. I bought/buy them because of convenience. I hate changing bulbs, especially in my current house which has a lot of recessed lighting that requires me to break out a stepstool everytime a bulb dies.

Having bulbs that last 3 or 4 or 5 times as long as incandescents isn’t just something that’s acceptable to me - it’s something I’m actually willing to pay a market premium for. But at this rate it looks like I’m paying a premium for bulbs that burn out faster than incandescents.

Quality always suffers when the government gets involved in business.

The older ones have largely worked well - probably not even a 2 or 3% failure rate outside of their stated lifespan - with many continuing to function well beyond. The newer ones, purchased in the last couple years, are absolute crap.

Had the same experience 10-15 years ago. The power company (in Mass.) subsidized them back then. Now I get a few that work forever, in particular yellow ones for outdoor use. Most of the rest last until you turn them off and on a few times. I left them on 24x7 with no problems, then had some people come over to do work (non electrical) and came home and they were all dead.