California Light Works return policy

Hey all,

I am a nobody around here and haven't even lurked here in a long time, but I wanted to share my experience with CLW for anyone who might be feverently googling for info on LED companies and their return policies. IMO this is the best site for LED info on the web, weed related or not.

Anyway, like most folks here I eventually came around and became a A51/ DIY Cree person, but my first lights were CLW solar flares. These got worked and one developed some problems, the worst being a failed driver (in fact the only issue that actually effected the functionality of the lights). Now being DIY knowledgeable at that point, I was highly tempted to rip the rivets out a replace the driver, but thought better of it (my DIY knowledge does not encompass re-riveting!). So I sent it in to be repaired.

I should add that this light was one I bought off a dude on CL. Also should add that there is conflicting info out there on CLW's warranty period, but this light was over 2 years old, but less than 3 (though I can only go by CL dude's word on when he bought it originally). So take that FWIW.

My best case hope was that they would offer to upgrade my SF 200 for the newer 220 for some fee (50 bucks maybe). The service/warranty people were very responsive and never anything but courteous. They got the light and said it was in for repair. A week later they send me a tracking number for the return. I get it, and lo and behold, a brand new SF 220. Never even asked for it. When they sent the tracking number, I figured they just fixed the driver and other issues (cracking of the case and some moisture getting into the glassed area). But nope, new light and no BS whatsoever.

Now like I say, CLW lights are probably not the best light you can buy, and as far as I know the best lights are going to be built, not bought. I am out of the scene now, and will probably just flip this light at some point, but I just wanted to share my experience. Frankly, after reading so many horror stories about LED warranty/returns with the import scene, I almost did not even bother sending it back and dealing with the hassle. But it was really no hassle at all. So if warranty is something that is important to you, this anonymous internet stranger says CLW is a solid choice in that regard.

Ciao!
 
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smowstack

Active Member
I bought my clw from rouge hydro. I ordered the fullcycle but they sent me the vegmaster. In retrospect, I saw that it was my mistake, but the nice girl at rouge hydro intercepted the order before it was delivered, and sent me the full cycle I wanted at no additional charge
 

hotshotisdashit

Well-Known Member
I had a similar issue with the power cord having a short. My fault I had it in a crazy bend. I bought it from growers house. I contacted them and told them I was mid-grow and they shipped me a new light without me even sending the other light back. Had no dealings with them previously. A-1 customer service.
 

smowstack

Active Member
I had a similar issue with the power cord having a short. My fault I had it in a crazy bend. I bought it from growers house. I contacted them and told them I was mid-grow and they shipped me a new light without me even sending the other light back. Had no dealings with them previously. A-1 customer service.
yeah, now that I think about it, I can't remember if it was rouge hydro or growers house or some other vendor, but isin it wonderful when you get a sales department that wants to help instead of treating you like you are out to scam them? I bought a 200w hydrofarm cfl from 1000bulbs and it exploded on me the very first time I plugged it in, and the nice girl just said, throw it in the trash and we will have the vendor send you a new one. I don't know if they are all like that, but there's a few people out there that give you hope for humanity.
 

OneHitDone

Well-Known Member
yeah, now that I think about it, I can't remember if it was rouge hydro or growers house or some other vendor, but isin it wonderful when you get a sales department that wants to help instead of treating you like you are out to scam them? I bought a 200w hydrofarm cfl from 1000bulbs and it exploded on me the very first time I plugged it in, and the nice girl just said, throw it in the trash and we will have the vendor send you a new one. I don't know if they are all like that, but there's a few people out there that give you hope for humanity.
Hydrofarm is very good at standing behind their product.
Unfortunately we are in a world where most everything is chinese shit so it's nice to have companies that at least realize this and just handle it
 

smowstack

Active Member
Hydrofarm is very good at standing behind their product.
Unfortunately we are in a world where most everything is chinese shit so it's nice to have companies that at least realize this and just handle it
I had a whole grow room filled with 1000w hydrofarm switchables and they were always great products. So when I started growing again in my new apartment it was a natural to go with them. But you may be right, the new ones aint like the old ones
 

smowstack

Active Member
I had a whole grow room filled with 1000w hydrofarm switchables and they were always great products. So when I started growing again in my new apartment it was a natural to go with them. But you may be right, the new ones aint like the old ones
and that's why I went with CLW. I don't know that much about lights, and I know a lot of techies bitch and moan over specs, but when you buy a CLW, you have bought some good old quality, just like in the old days
 
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