OT cheap junk

flying belgian · Nov 20, 2010

When I was growing up in the 50s my folks put out the same outdoor X-mas lites every year. Yes we would have to replace a bulb or two on the 100 ft. but that was all (I actually think us kids broke them while handling them) But it was the same lites for maybe 20 years. Flash forward to the last 10 years and I have to buy all new ones every year. Plug them in and at best half of one string will light up. Try to find the problem is a nite mare. I don't even try anymore. I throw them away in January and buy new ones the following year.

LPgas only · Nov 20, 2010

I will take ALL of your old ones you do not want. I use them up all summer long working or not. If I tell everyone what they are good for, I will never get any old sets.
Thanks.
G.

John S-B · Nov 20, 2010

The new LED ones should be more reliable. I don't know if I'll buy any this year though, they're still new so prices should go down as they get more popular.

C.R. · Nov 20, 2010

Toss em in the campfire to make flames look green??

Wilson · Nov 20, 2010

why do you take them down???????????

ericlb · Nov 20, 2010

i remember those old style lites too lasted most of the time we were growing up, only time more than 3 or 4 bulbs needed replacing was when i tried out my bb gun on them, which resulted in a imeadiate trip to the woodshed for "corrective measures" i think the main difference then and now is that back then, the china man wasnt making them, they were made in the US

PaGlenn · Nov 20, 2010

I kinda like the lights with the liquid filled glass candles that bubble up when they get hot.

chuck bolton · Nov 20, 2010

my house and barn have lights from my grandparents-- and they have been gone for almost 30 yrs-- i take them down because the summer sun and heat will cause them to deteriorate-- the only good thing about the new ones-- on our tree--is that the whole string doesnt go out when one blub goes-- i put them up on the weekend following thanksgiving and get them down as soon as i can-- weather permitting

Zachary Hoyt · Nov 20, 2010

I have not had a tree or lights in 10 years and found I don't really miss them that much.
Zach

Eric SEI · Nov 20, 2010

I got a set of bubble lights last year at Rural King. I haven't seen them this year but they have replacement bulbs.

I will use a combination of LEDs on the back of the tree with bubble lights and old GE lighted ice on the front where they can be seen.

old · Nov 20, 2010

Yep that is what is called designed obsolescence that way the company makes more money. Face it things are not made the way they where back years ago and that is why few things last long

Anonymous-0 · Nov 20, 2010

That's my thinking too.... you can look at the neighborhood lights and don't have to hassle putting 'em up.

greenbeanman in Kansas · Nov 22, 2010

I always enjoyed the bubble lights that we used on our tree---until mom decided to economize and never buy a fresh tree again. Instead she bought one of those bright shiny aluminum trees and used a color wheel spotlight on it.

We sold the old bubble lights at the estate auction in 1996. The insulation on the wiring was cracking and none of us felt the set should be used for anything but parts.

Brother and I used to wager on which one would bubble first when first plugged in each evening.

OT cheap junk

flying belgian

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LPgas only

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John S-B

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C.R.

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Wilson

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ericlb

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PaGlenn

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chuck bolton

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Zachary Hoyt

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Eric SEI

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old

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Anonymous-0

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greenbeanman in Kansas

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