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Tree Classics Complaint - Support Disappointment - 12 Ft. Barrington DeLuxe Fraser Fir with multi-color lights
12 Ft. Barrington DeLuxe Fraser Fir with multi-color lights - Complaint
BARRINGTON, ILLINOIS -- My complaint is admittedly a small one, but I was nonetheless surprised at it, and thought the info might be helpful to others.
I purchased a 12 Ft. Barrington Fraser Fir with Multi Color Lights back in 2004, and have made that our home's tree for the past seven years. Although kind of a challenge to set up, the tree looks downright spectacular when its up, decorated and lit.
Every year, I have had to replace several bulbs, but I don't think that's anything big. Last year, however, one entire 50-bulb string (located near the very top of the tree, of course) went out, and left a "hole" in the lighting of the tree. I checked every bulb, replaced the fuses, etc., all to no avail, so I decided to just put a replacement strand of lights on and be done with it.
Imagine my surprise when Customer Service informed me that they don't have any bulbs, or strings of bulbs, or any other solutions for my problem. The best that they could do was to suggest that I go to WalMart and buy some bulbs there. You would think that if they warranty the frame for ten years, that they would at least keep replacement lights available for that time as well.
Like I said at the outset, it's a small complaint, but something that prospective buyers should be aware of as a possible indication of their overall service philosophy.
I purchased a 12 Ft. Barrington Fraser Fir with Multi Color Lights back in 2004, and have made that our home's tree for the past seven years. Although kind of a challenge to set up, the tree looks downright spectacular when its up, decorated and lit.
Every year, I have had to replace several bulbs, but I don't think that's anything big. Last year, however, one entire 50-bulb string (located near the very top of the tree, of course) went out, and left a "hole" in the lighting of the tree. I checked every bulb, replaced the fuses, etc., all to no avail, so I decided to just put a replacement strand of lights on and be done with it.
Imagine my surprise when Customer Service informed me that they don't have any bulbs, or strings of bulbs, or any other solutions for my problem. The best that they could do was to suggest that I go to WalMart and buy some bulbs there. You would think that if they warranty the frame for ten years, that they would at least keep replacement lights available for that time as well.
Like I said at the outset, it's a small complaint, but something that prospective buyers should be aware of as a possible indication of their overall service philosophy.
Comments:
Posted by Inat on 2010-11-19:
tree classics was good to me last year when I had strand go out - they sent me one of those 'magic light guns' that you plug into the strand, pull the trigger a couple times, and voila! lights work!
Posted by Slimjim on 2010-11-19:
Like Inat said, try a light fixer gun on it first to see if it can repair any bad shunts. If not, just follow their advice and get a new string anywhere and wrap it in. They probably did you a favor anyway as they wouldn't be price competitive with a local Walmart or Target for essentially the same type $4 light set.
Posted by PepperElf on 2010-11-19:
you know... i had a prelit tree once. hell it might still be in my storage unit. but to be honest..
these days i prefer buying them "naked". why'? because with regular string lights... every year you find more bulbs have not lasted the season.
So if that happens to regular bulbs ... what do you do when the pre-lit bulbs break? eventually you may be screwed over.
plus a prelit tree is more expensive than a regular tree + string lights if i'm not mistaken. though you do have to put more effort into the "naked" tree.
these days i prefer buying them "naked". why'? because with regular string lights... every year you find more bulbs have not lasted the season.
So if that happens to regular bulbs ... what do you do when the pre-lit bulbs break? eventually you may be screwed over.
plus a prelit tree is more expensive than a regular tree + string lights if i'm not mistaken. though you do have to put more effort into the "naked" tree.
Posted by Inat on 2010-11-19:
pepper, i have one of those 12' trees too.... before, i had a naked tree and it was sooooo time consuming to put lights on that mother... i love the pre-lit
Posted by PepperElf on 2010-11-19:
yeah the tree i used last year was a naked fake. but i don't really mind the effort.
for me... well that's what Black Friday is for. putting up the tree.
except this year. i gave the tree to the rescue mission. (planning on moving) so this year's tree is a tiny desktop tree instead - instead of twelve feet... mine's more like 12 inches lol!
it's cute. i don't even bother taking the lights off of it cos the string is maybe 2 feet long at the most. but hey it's a tree. :) of course
for me... well that's what Black Friday is for. putting up the tree.
except this year. i gave the tree to the rescue mission. (planning on moving) so this year's tree is a tiny desktop tree instead - instead of twelve feet... mine's more like 12 inches lol!
it's cute. i don't even bother taking the lights off of it cos the string is maybe 2 feet long at the most. but hey it's a tree. :) of course
Posted by timmyj3 on 2010-11-22:
Sounds like a nice tree. I have had similar problems with Tree Classics. I am sure you spent a good amount of money on your tree.
It is sad that Tree Classics is clueless with service after the sale.
Did your tree have the "worry free" lights? That is what mine has and they should be renamed "really worry about these lights". It appears that Tree Classics is out of these bulbs and sets. I had over 175 lights out on a new (1 year old) tree and it was pulling teeth to get a 100 replacement bulbs.
All we can do is let the public know about the poor service provided by Tree Classics
It is sad that Tree Classics is clueless with service after the sale.
Did your tree have the "worry free" lights? That is what mine has and they should be renamed "really worry about these lights". It appears that Tree Classics is out of these bulbs and sets. I had over 175 lights out on a new (1 year old) tree and it was pulling teeth to get a 100 replacement bulbs.
All we can do is let the public know about the poor service provided by Tree Classics
Posted by timmyj3 on 2010-12-09:
You may want to file a report with the Barrington,IL BBB. It may help if enough customers file on them.
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