1 800 Lighting Review

Saturday, July 2nd

2022 Light Fixture Store Reviews

1 800 Lighting

• Over 50,000 light fixtures to choose from
• "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
• Free shipping on orders of $49+ (surcharge on larger items)
• 30-day return policy; return shipping fees deducted from refund

There aren't many online retailers of light fixtures that have as much expertise as 1 800 Lighting: the internet store of Capitol Lighting, a family-owned business that's been around for almost 100 years and that has brick-and-mortar showrooms in Florida and New Jersey.

Expert help at the ready

One big advantage that comes with this type of business is the access to knowledgeable help. Not sure if a fixture will fit in your dining room or if you've got the right wiring for a particular pair of outdoor lights? No problem! Just look at the bottom of the 1 800 Lighting website for their live chat, email, or toll-free number. The site also has a fun tool that shows you how a light fixture might look in a room: how it compares to a person's size (which you can customize to the height and *ahem* width of someone in the home), how it pairs with different types of furniture, and so on. You'll find that feature on the individual product pages for fixtures.

20% discount on your first order

1 800 Lighting offers a 20% discount on your first purchase if you sign up for their contact list. The first pop-up asked for our email address, and the second wanted our mobile number: up to you if you'd rather get texts or emails, but you can click to unsubscribe or opt out by texting "stop" at any time. Be aware that some brands are excluded from that discount, in case you want to pick a fixture first and then decide if you want to opt into that mailing list.

Straightforward, clean website

Shopping for light fixtures here is a pleasant experience. You can browse images of popular lighting categories or go directly to the linked options at the top of the site. The main lighting page also features any current sales and look galleries for gathering inspiration for your own decor. Once you've chosen a category, like Ceiling Fans or Outdoor Lights, use the filters to see what's in the inventory that matches your preferences for style, special features, bulb type, or any other criteria you already have in mind.

How long are you willing to wait?

The tricky thing about buying anything from 1 800 Lighting is availability. There's no filter that lets you see just the items that are ready for shipment. You'll find many products that ship out within a business day or two, but there are others that may show a date that's two months out (or more!). It was tedious clicking through light fixtures that we liked, only to find out we'd have to wait a very long time to get them delivered.

Free shipping...kind of

While 1 800 Lighting offers free shipping on orders of $49+, some light fixtures will incur a $65 "large item shipping surcharge" . They don't have specific criteria for which items will require that extra fee beyond "large items such as large foyer chandeliers and torchiere floor lamps" , but you can see it on the individual item pages - no nasty surprise that you'll only discover when you check out.

30-day return policy, shipping is on you

If you need to make a return, you'll have 30 days to do so. Unfortunately, the shipping cost to send it back will be deducted from your refund, and that could get expensive if your light fixture was one of those "large items" we mentioned.

Mixed reviews from customers

You'll find a variety of comments from people who have placed orders with 1 800 Lighting: some enthusiastic and others much less so. Just like availability of products, customer satisfaction here is hit-or-miss. And yet, the Better Business Bureau gives this company an "A+" rating and accreditation, which usually means that issues are being handled professionally and in a timely fashion.

Not bad, but not awesome either

As much as we love shopping with family-owned businesses, 1 800 Lighting just doesn't quite cut it compared with many other light fixture retailers. Customers want an easy-to-use website with plenty of in-stock options for their home improvement projects and a solid reputation. Unfortunately, this store only delivers lukewarm results across the board.