bkpmoxy said:My Girlfriend and I have a total of 6 lamps in our apt. We went to 3 HD's and got 6 bulbs! - By the way if you look at these bulbs on the shelf - they have a 9 year warrnty and are designed to last that long!!! (Tripled Up Thanks to OP)

Moxy

I did the same thing with my significant other. First store had a carton and a sheet on the table for your name and zip code. I was the second person to take one. Second store knew nothing about it despite a sign on a table which I showed them. They tracked them down but didn't have the sheet. They said one per household but knowing they might try this, my significant other came in after me and got one. Last store I went to had heard about the promotion but didn't know where the bulbs were so gave me one off the shelf for free.

BankSpinach said:poohbie said:SoulAssassin said:pixelvisions said:These were top rated by Popular Mechanics -- even over incandescent bulbs.

Popular Mechanics Review

I do have to agree with them where they said they're slow to warm up. The color is good but they definitely take a little bit to get to full strength. In my living room and kitchen I can only replace every other because it's too dim when you first turn it on with all CFL's.

That being said, a free bulb is a free bulb. Sweet!

Might be useful in places which you may visit during the middle of the night (e.g. hallway, bathroom)...as they won't blind you right away.

When they're turned on for the first time, they do start rather dim. But I've noticed that goes away after a
couple days. Maybe they need that time to "break in"? The ones I use are the same n:vision brand.
The newer bulbs (most brands) do this however, they remain brighter over time. They become instant on after a few days to a few weeks (depending on how long they are on) unless you rarely use the bulb. In that case they will do this indefinably. Also after not using a bulb for a couple of months this behavior will return for a short while. So you can't move a bulb to a rarely used location to avoid this. For rarely used locations I would use a brighter bulb say 100 instead of 75 as they are about 25% dimmer after 10 seconds or so.

That being said. They are wonderful overall. The electricity savings is great and real. The Daylight Color bulbs produce far better light than regular bulbs. I highly suggest Daylight Color over Soft White.

NOTE: These bulbs do NOT dim*, they should NOT be used with a dimer switch. Many motion sensors will not work correctly with them either (though some are made for CFL's).

* Dimable CFL's can be found if you look hard enough, though they do not dim nearly as much.
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FWIW, I just got back from 2 stores in West Chicagoland Suburbs and they both still had plenty around noon. I would consider these medium traffic stores, although the parking lot was pretty full. My guess is with the nice weather here people have more important spring projects, and aren't even aware of the promotion unless they happen to get asked by the staff when passing by the display.

There is also a 50 cent off coupon on the box good through 5/20.

Both stores had the display in the main front walkway, the one that runs past the cashier stands. One had free popcorn. Just sign your name and zip, 1 per household.

My friend and I just picked up a bulb each in our local HD here in Colorado Springs. They have a little sign-up sheet and a dwindling stack of the bulbs on a table up front over near the lighting section. They are 60-watt, small CFL bulbs. I don't think many people know about this offer, folks walk right by the display without any interest in the bulbs. Not many left, maybe they have more in back of the store and will bring them out later, but if not, they'll be out soon. A fine little free deal!

yah!like throw it in the trash and watch the pickup truck crusher bust bulbs for kicks and see the mercury deposited in your local landfill and watch your kids grow up pay $3 ounce for drinkable water?not to mention thes thing are overpriced without a subsidy?they burn out way to easy!they dont fit or look good in most fixtures taking reg bulbs!why not be a real green patriotic conservative and burn candles and heat with cow pies in your fireplace!dont forget that woodburnin stove while yur at it!

these things cost too much,burn out to easy,dont fit or look good in half the places you have reg bulbs and their performance in cold weather is inadequate to say the least!did i mention light color is hard on the eyes?and add no subsidy for most areas and there ya have it!JUNK!

Love these bulbs ... Thanks OP ... BTW, yes they are available in FLA.

Just came back from my local Home Depot. Got a few free since I had the whole family along. They did require you to sign in, but at the sametime, I did not see a mad rush for the freebies as most of the folks was not aware of this promotion. Orange for you OP. I mean green.

lexx since you hate them so much why even threadcrap?? move along PLEASE?

lexx said:pixelvisions said:These were top rated by Popular Mechanics -- even over incandescent bulbs.

Popular Mechanics Review

these are the same boobs who said we should all have a flying car by now and telephones with live video pictures!maybe they should test them by sticking them in their ears and grabbing a powerline?at least you'd get an honest appraisal?pimp, pimp, pimp, and away!

Are you a wee bit negative today?