We purchased our lighting fixtures from McLaren Lighting for $3,200 when renovating our home. Within three or four years, 18 out of 24 ceramic sockets in most of these expensive halogen fixtures burned out. When I went back to McLaren to ask what could be done, they told me it was a common problem but the sockets could not be repaired or replaced. I was told that because the manufacturer's warranty had run out, McLaren would do nothing for us.
I understand that most retailers would take the same approach. However, McLaren charges a premium price that is up to ten times higher than purchasing the equivalent product online or at a big box retailer. We decided to patronize McLaren despite the extra cost because we wanted to support a local business and to have support if there was a problem. With respect to the latter, we were clearly very mistaken.
Be advised that, despite the premium prices they charge, McLaren will not stand behind their product beyond the manufacturer's warranty. Furthermore, they obviously do not invest sufficient effort, if any, to ascertain the quality of their product before recommending it to their customers. In other words, there is no value added over buying online, which is where we will be purchasing the replacements for the defective junk that McLaren sold us.
The one positive thing I can say about McLaren Lighting is that their staff were very polite when dealing with me and my concerns. read more
