Doing things that feel "good"

[ny biker]

There are Christmas light forums??

[GLC1968]

OK, I've never seen one of these displays in real life, so I have a question. Do the songs play out loud all the time? Like on a loop or something? And if so, doesn't that get really tiresome?

I do have to say that your display is really impressive. I don't have any advice, but wow...that is some serious dedication!

[Roadtrip]

Forums... Yes... Not all do animation... Some collect blow molds (plastic injected molds) from the 70s... Inflatables... Nativity sets. Their is even a yearly gathering/mini-convention... PlanetChristmas.Com

Music, about eight or so songs in a loop, with a low power FM transmitter that broadcasts the music to a particular FM channel. Cars tune the radio to the channel that won't reach past the end of the street.

It helps both DH are in IT and petty much eat/breath computers

Shannon

[Roadtrip]

doesn't that get really tiresome?

Programming the sequences down to about .25 of a second... Means by December I've listened to those songs... Oh... More then I'd like to admit!

[jyyanks]

I'm sorry to hear about your awful experience with the dealer. Since he/he is a "respected" member of the Christmas lights forum that you frequent, I would think he would want do everything he can to help you out, especially seeing that his reputation is on the line.

In any event, what's done is done. Do not let this setback ruin your Christmas. Perhaps you can try something a little different this year? Even if you have plain old lights without animation, I think you can still create surprise and delight for those around you. I have fond memories of driving around my neighborhood during the holidays to look at people's decor. I never saw anything as fancy as your display, but I remember how many displays took my breath away because of the spirit they instilled in me when I looked at them. Don't get discouraged, I'm sure your display this year will be beautiful with or without the animation.

[jessmarimba]

I don't do a huge display - just a couple spools of white LED lights from Target, but my house is fairly small. I just do the fence, the columns on my front porch, and outline the roof. And I don't have outdoor power either, but I have a window with a big hole in the screen and I just run the cord through and under the window. Last year, though, we had about half the block decorated by the end of the season - it was very cool to see and fun to have started the trend! Especially since I live in sort of a low-income area - I'd rather see "tacky" (cheesy holiday displays) than sketchy houses that look half-abandoned in winter. And the more people had lights up, the more people decided to decorate.

[jelee1311]

I'm sorry about your troubles,the videos are great. I'm a complete dork for Christmas lights (even before I had my DD)so even though I don't live in your area please don't give up and thanks from all of us that love seeing and enjoying Christmas lights!

[owlice]

"They told us the warranty started when THEY placed the whole-sale order (2009) for delivery in 2010, which is bs, but still out the $800 for the light order."

Did you contact the manufacturer? I'd be raising all kinds of holy stink about this -- if the lights didn't work, they didn't work, and you should be either getting a refund or getting lights which DO work.

I think you need to write to the president of the company which manufactured the lights, or the importer/wholesaler for them, and include in your email not only your address, but your social media contact information (and if you don't have any, get Facebook, Twitter, and whatever else you can think of, and oh, maybe mention your moniker on the Christmas lights forum, too.... you see where I'm going with this, yes?), too. I think you should let the company know how disappointed you are with the lights and with the retailer from whom you bought the lights (and I think you need to cc the retailer on this). I would do this in snail mail, politely, and mention, too, the joy you'd hoped to bring to your neighborhood, where you are known for your Christmas light displays, so much so that your neighbors ask you for Christmas light advice. Mention that you tried to resolve this issue with the retailer who sold you the lights, but that the solutions presented are not satisfactory to you.

I think you should mention that you would like an answer from the person; I'd give it four weeks, tops, from the time you send the letter. If you don't have an answer in that time, send another letter, and cc a local television reporter; many local stations have someone on the consumer beat. That's putting this increasingly close to Christmas. Include a link to the videos from Christmases past.

I should think that at MOST, two letters will take care of this. Social media is a very powerful consumer tool, and savvy companies know this and respond to it. You spent a lot of money on these lights; the product didn't work. You should be made whole!

Bet that'd bring your Christmas lights mojo back, too!