"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!