Despite guarantees made on materials, electricians are finding themselves out of pocket should they have to replace faulty products.
Anxious to ensure good customer relations and reputation, electricians are finding they may only be breaking even or worse still making a loss if they have to return to the job through no fault of their own in order to replace a faulty fitting.
One electrician reports on the costs involved in replacing a £150 floodlight that had failed. “I went to install four LED 50wt floods at 14mtrs, three worked and the fourth failed after only a day. The fitting cost around £150 but to go back (to the job) it cost over £400 for the cherry picker, around £600 for 2 men (to the business) and also travel”. He feels this is far from an isolated incident.
Electricians feel the suppliers should contribute to the business costs of replacing defective items rather than simply offer a replacement.
In response to the electricians comment, Steven from Kellwood LED that supply all types of LED lighting recommends ensuring the quality of the light fitting to begin with. “You have to look closely at products and check that the actual chip is made in Japan and not China. All fittings we supply have parts from Japan and are assembled in China” Steven also installs his products and claims he's never had a faulty product yet. “Unfortunately we only guarantee a replacement part. That is the guarantee we receive from manufacturers”
Of course it is no-ones fault that these products are faulty as these things do happen, perhaps manufacturers or suppliers should be addressing this.