I bought one of those lamps at the local resale store for a buck. I about choked at the price of the bulb (they’re actually another 12-25 percent more at Lowe’s and Home Depot!) But, WTF, I figured, I got it for a buck, it won’t kill me. So I bought the bulb, took it home, had it in for about a day and a half before my neighbor’s dog came to visit, caught a paw on the power cord while romping around, and sent the lamp crashing to the floor. You guessed it -scratch on $3.59 bulb.

I figured it was still worth one more bulb to break even with a new halogen lamp, (and man, those bulbs get HOT) but then I happened upon a close-out sale on a normal incandescent lamp – with shade – for $3, so the same $4 investment got me a new lamp and 4 bulbs.

Like you, I have no earthly clue why that bulb is so expensive. Other bulbs get hot without costing that much. But I know I’m not paying it… and I now know why I found it for a buck in that resale store.

I pondered giving it back to the resale shop. Then I thought on the cost and short life of the bulb and decided the next guy didn’t deserve the same surprise, so… I did what I’ve only done once before (with Umberto Eco’s “Foucault’s Pendulum”) – I destroyed it, so no one else would ever have to suffer it again.

Good of ya to get the word out. Maybe post a pic of that bulb, so people know what to look for?

All the best to you and your betrothed. I wish you a long, happy life together.