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Saturday, January 28th
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.
Whether you're looking for bright, new outdoor lights to increase your home's security or a gorgeous pendant light to update your entryway, there are literally tens of thousands of options - but only when you take advantage of the selection offered by internet retailers. No brick-and-mortar store near you can even come close!
What if I'm not sure which light fixture I need? Is it really a good idea to buy something I haven't seen in person? Rest assured that most online retailers of light fixtures go out of their way to help you get the perfect lighting, with detailed product descriptions, ALA-certified experts on standby for any questions before or after you place your order, and generous return policies that let you get a refund or make an exchange if needed.
Of course, if you want the best of both worlds, you can always consider buying your lighting online from a big-box home improvement store near you: better selection with the convenience of local returns!
Best of all, shopping for light fixtures online makes it even more likely that you'll find something you truly love - not just what happened to be in stock at the local hardware store. If you're looking for lighting that's not a carbon copy of everyone else's in your neighborhood or you've got a unique decor you're trying to enhance, you'll definitely want to have as many options as possible.
Which store should you use for buying your light fixtures? There are many excellent retailers out there and it could feel a little overwhelming deciding where to start. Consider the following criteria as you choose which store gets your business:
To help you find the right lighting for your home or office, TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked the best online retailers of light fixtures available today. We're confident that this information will make it quick, easy, and affordable to change the look and feel of your decor!
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