bulb scams

I recently bought a new 600 watt HPS bulb. I found a lot of good deals online, but also discovered that some used bulbs end up being sold as new. This was especially true for high end bulbs like hortilux. They run em hot ("boost" mode) for one cycle, then sell them to unsuspecting customers. Fucking pricks.
I ended up buying my bulb from a local wholesale company. Interestingly, only *one* person had a key to the bulb storage locker & he asked me to open the box to make sure it wasn't damaged.
Hmm...
I think it was worth the extra money to know that my new bulb was actually new.
What do you think?

I've been sold some shitty bulbs in the past. Had one pop after 3 minutes but they returned a new bulb and refunded my money as well.

Scammers are everywhere, even amazon. I've ordered things off amazon only to get something I didn't order and when I brought it to the sellers attention they said they don't sell that stuff. Dafuq?!

Chunky Stool said:

I recently bought a new 600 watt HPS bulb. I found a lot of good deals online, but also discovered that some used bulbs end up being sold as new. This was especially true for high end bulbs like hortilux. They run em hot ("boost" mode) for one cycle, then sell them to unsuspecting customers. Fucking pricks.
I ended up buying my bulb from a local wholesale company. Interestingly, only *one* person had a key to the bulb storage locker & he asked me to open the box to make sure it wasn't damaged.
Hmm...
I think it was worth the extra money to know that my new bulb was actually new.
What do you think?

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How did you find places were selling used bulbs?

KryptoBud said:

How did you find places were selling used bulbs?

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Amazon mostly. Some vendors are selling USED as NEW. Gotta read the reviews & pay close attention to low ratings.

I've been buying bulbs from 1 person in 4+ yrs. I swap out all bulbs (mh/hps) after every flower run. Last 3 mh bulbs I got looked used. Typical black fire markings. Got 3 new ones sent to me next day.

I'm thinkin' eBay would be even worse than Amazon when it comes to scams. Bulb manufacturers should come up with a method to easily determine if a bulb is new or used. Maybe some type of coating inside that burns off after an hour or two???

Chunky Stool said:

I'm thinkin' eBay would be even worse than Amazon when it comes to scams. Bulb manufacturers should come up with a method to easily determine if a bulb is new or used. Maybe some type of coating inside that burns off after an hour or two???

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I'd nice if they do something like that, bulbs aren't cheap.

Got one that had a crack on the inner filament with a small piece (chunk/bit) completely out, like a small gouge.

Not even sure how it passed quality control?! (Again, Amazon)

Hey I just stumbled on this thread with a similar problem, I just received a Ushio opti blue 600w from amazon, delivered from amazon prime and the packaging was terrible. All the airbags were only one side of the light bulb package, so oneside of the was completely pressed against the outer cardboard package. Not only that, the light bulb package was opened already, seemed like it was in bad condition with scotch tape all over it and it wasn't even sealed. The bulb had 2 small glass fragments on the inside of the outer bulb. I already am going through the refund process with amazon, shipping label & UPS picking it up. Can't believe used bulbs are being sold, makes no sense to me.

I buy mine from a shop and they are all brand new. I wouldn't accept any used bulb.

I once was sold a dud 1k w, it was new, just a dud. Luckily its wasn't my first rodeo, because if I didnt know better I would have thought that's just how bright a 1kw bulb went. Fortunately I knew better. It was less than my 400w haha

I buy hortilux off ebay and amazon I have bought mabe 100 bullbs ? off line . I always look at there reviews and make sure they have at least 50 or more before I buy . nobody has 50 used bulbs .