Narva +100 Headlight Globes 40% LESS Light, Repco says "Packaging Change"

Misplaced on 06/08/2020 - 16:07
Last edited 06/08/2020 - 19:31

OK, so I took up the Repco deal on Ozbargain and ordered the following globes (which were already marked down anyway):

Narva H4 P43T Plus 100 Globe 12V 60/55W - 2 Pce - 48872BL2 @ $ 41.59 / pack.

https://www.repco.com.au/en/globes-batteries-electrical/glob…

I got the SMS and Email from Repco's Click & Collect to say my order was ready, went in to the store about an hour later and they didn't actually have the other item I ordered, so I agreed to go all the way across town to another Repco Store to pick that up. My choice, I guess. Not the ideal service though, as the email DID say the order was "ready".

THEN she handed me the Headlight Globes, and THIS is the item I received: https://i.ibb.co/FHCCBxJ/ITEM-RECEIVED.jpg

It clearly say 60% More Light, 20 Meters Longer Beam (NOT 100% More Light, 35 Meters Longer Beam). The Store Manager informed me that this is "the exact same bulb" and that there has been a "packaging change" by Narva.

I queried this with Narva and they said "The Repco store is correct, the product was upgraded almost 12 months ago however the packaging was only upgraded recently, the globe inside that package will be a PLUS100 globe, it is merely old style packaging, basically for around 8-10 months if you ordered a PLUS60 you got a PLUS100 until we exhausted all our old packaging."

Can they legally sell the item as a PLUS100 / 35 Meters Longer Beam when the packaging indicates it is only a bit over half that? I'm not sure there is any way for the consumer to even verify what they are receiving, without opening the packet at least.

I would think they would have to sell the product as what it is packaged as. I still feel ripped off.

EDIT: The actual bulbs are 64193NBS - part number is NBS ("Night Breaker Silver"), which is up to 100% brighter as per the datasheet here: https://www.osram.com/appsj/pdc/pdf.do?cid=GPS01_3043414&vid…

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Comments

  • whooah1979 on 06/08/2020 - 16:09

    Check the SKU.

  • Hybroid on 06/08/2020 - 16:18
    +1

    60% more light that what though? Are they comparing to the same item? Or is it just marketing fluff in which case irrelevant.

    Also, why would you cheap out on something like headlight bulbs?

    I got these for $31 as replacement soon as bought my car, 2 years on and no issues. Comes with 2 free W5Ws: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00MZQUGLK/

    I would recommend return yours and get something like this or OSRAMs. There's a bulb specialist that often does good discounts here. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/user/153072/nodes

    • mskeggs on 06/08/2020 - 16:37

      Huh! The $3 no name spare bulbs sitting in my glovebox yearn for your free spending ways.

  • Brian McGee on 06/08/2020 - 16:18

    They are both the same part number 48872.
    The rest is all marketing. 20m, 35m, +60%, +100%. This all depends on your reflector condition, glass/plastic lense condition, reflector design, electrical system condition

  • Misplaced on 06/08/2020 - 16:31

    UPDATE: Narva wants me to open the packet.

  • Misplaced on 06/08/2020 - 16:35

    Closeups of the markings on the actual globes (I haven't opened the packet yet):

    https://i.ibb.co/5Mx6x3V/1.jpg

    https://i.ibb.co/S01Jvxm/2.jpg

  • Misplaced on 06/08/2020 - 17:00

    UPDATE: Narva has confirmed that the 64193NBS signifies a PLUS100 Bulb, Google seems to confirm this also.

    But the packaging confuses the hell out of me. They just ignore the packaging, and sell it as a superior product anyway? How can they sell anyone that packaging and expect them not to notice?

    I feel like THIS GUY:

    https://www.amazon.com/thats-Not-Right-Living-Aspergers/dp/1…

    • Hybroid on 06/08/2020 - 17:05
      +2

      Most people don't care about the packaging, 60/100% whatever doesn't mean anything as it's not measurable. It's like any product saying it's the 'BEST'. What does that mean? Nothing.

      You did get ripped off on price though as well as the running around to get something that's simply rebadged with a markup. Oh well, it'll do it's job I suppose.

  • Euphemistic on 06/08/2020 - 18:05

    Great. Even more cars with stupid bright headlights.

    • jaimex2 on 10/08/2020 - 21:38

      You only run them with your high beams in the country unless you're an ass.

  • Skips on 06/08/2020 - 18:46
    +1

    There is minimal difference in actual brightness between plus 60, plus 100, plus 120 etc as laws dictate a fairly conservative limit on lumen output.

    The 'plus' rated bulbs have a tighter wound filament which will produce a narrower beam, giving more intensity and therefore distance compared to a standard bulb, but the overall light output does not change a significant amount. I believe the top rated ones also overdrive the filament giving a whiter, brighter light (but a shorter life), but then have to coat the bulb (those blue stripe coatings you see) to bring the lumen value back to legal limits.

    There is some benefit to the higher rated bulbs but a lot of it is smoke and mirrors.

    • Misplaced on 06/08/2020 - 19:25

      The rating is "compared to the minimum legal standard", whatever that means.

      • Euphemistic on 06/08/2020 - 20:25

        It probably means there is a bit of a difference but the marketing department went to town and found a way to legally describe it like that.

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