Use of Site:

Go to #15 for fixture and ballast problems.

1. How do I use the Factory Direct Lighting.net website?
Our website is designed to easily navigate. You can shop by type of product, room, and even by vendor by using the navigation panel on the left side of the home page. You may also click on any of the small pictures in the center of the home page to be navigated to that categories main page. Once you have selected the product you wish to purchase adjust the quantity required and click add to cart. At any time you may enter your shopping cart by clicking on the link 'My basket' on the right side of the page. Follow the simple instructions to complete your checkout entering all the required information. Once checkout has been completed you will receive an order confirmation via email.

2. What Payment methods are accepted? Are my shopping sessions secure?
We gladly accept Visa and Mastercard for your purchases. Your shoppings sessions are secured with a Starfield Technologies Web Server Certificate. Transactions on the site are protected with up to 256-bit Secure Sockets Layer encryption.

3. What are the shipping and handling costs?
Some sites offer 'Free' shipping, which basically means that the shipping and handling costs have been added to the price of the product. In an effort to provide you with the lowest overall cost we charge actual shipping and handling fees .

4. Does Factory Direct Lighting.net charge sales tax?
Factory Direct Lighting.net only charges sales tax on shipments that will be delivered into the state of Illinois. The standard sales tax rate for the area where the shipment is being delivered will be incurred. On orders shipping outside the state of Illinois any sales tax that might be due is the buyers responsibility.

5. What happens after I order?
Your order will be submitted to our order processing department. If the item is out of stock or shipment will be delayed notification will be submitted to the email address that is registered for the order. Once your order has shipped the tracking information will be entered onto your account and you may at any time log in to your account at Factory Direct Lighting.net to check the status of your order.

6. Why should I register for Factory Direct Lighting.net upon completing my order?
We strongly encourage you to register at the time of purchase so that you may log in and receive any account information such as your order status, tracking information, and copies of your invoice. We do, for your convenience offer the option to purchase without registering for our website, unfortunately if you choose this option you will be unable to access information about your order via the web.

7. When will I receive my order?
Generally all order are processed the same day for orders received before 12PM CST, and the next business day for orders placed after 12PM CST. Once the product has been shipped the shipping times may vary based on your location. You may track the status of your order 24 hours a day by logging on to the Factory Direct Lighting.net site.

8. What happens when I receive my order?
We encourage you to fully inspect your delivery for any visible signs of damage. Freight carriers are required to wait for you to check your complete delivery for damage. If you do not notate visible damages on the delivery receipt, it is difficult to file a claim with the freight carrier and may negate your ability to receive replacements for your damaged goods. SO KINDLY INSPECT YOUR PACKAGES AND NOTATE ANY VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE ON YOUR SHIPPING RECEIPT.

9. What happens if I receive damaged merchandise?
For damaged goods please see the Factory Direct Lighting.net Return Policy.

10. What is Factory Direct Lighting.net's minimum order amount?
Due to processing costs we do require that all orders meet the minimum of $100.00.

11. What if I do not find what I am looking for on Factory Direct Lighting.net?
We are constantly reviewing new products and new vendors to better serve you. Unfortunately, if it is not seen here we do not currently have stock. Please check back often as we will always be adding new products and new manufacturers.

12. Can I order via phone instead of the web?
In an effort to provide our customer's with the lowest possible prices, orders can only be processed via our website.

13. Can my order be shipped C.O.D?
No, we cannot ship COD. All orders require payment via credit card.

14. What if I am tax exempt?
For orders over $500, please contact customer service at: sales@factorydirectlighting.net. Unfortunately, our website is not equipped to handle smaller, tax-exempt orders. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Fixture or Ballast problems:

15. What should I do if I notice my lighting fixture operating abnormally?
Turn off the circuit breaker to the light fixture and ballast immediately. If it is a plug-in type of ballast or fixture, unplug it. If you are uncertain of how to do this safely, hire a licensed electrician. There is a chance that the problem is dangerous. Do not use the ballast or light fixture until it is repaired by a licensed electrician. Ballast replacements are available on our website. Fixture parts should be ordered from the fixture manufacturer.

16. My fluorescent fixture is not working. Do I need to replace the ballast?
Florescent fixtures require many components to work properly. While the problem might be the ballast, it also could be a defective switch, lamp, starter, etc. You might want to consider hiring a licensed electrician to evaluate the exact problem before ordering a new ballast.

17. How do I determine whether I need a normal power factor (NPF) or high power factor ballast?
Generally, either ballast will light the same lamps. HPF is more energy efficient. Consult a licensed electrician about your application.

18. What do I do if my fixture lights sometimes and not others?
Or what do I do if my fixture lights if I touch the bulb?
This may be a grounding problem either with the way the fixture is wired or if your house does not have properly grounded circuits. Rapid start and trigger start ballasts MUST be grounded (both the ballast and the fixture) and the lamp must be within ½'' of grounded metal (fixture or reflector). We suggest you hire a licensed electrician for safe diagnosis and repair.

19. Can I change the brightness of a fixture I bought if it's not as bright as I would like it to be? Can a different ballast be installed?
Like any product, there are many different grades of ballast and fluorescent fixtures. If you have a fixture with an NPF (Normal Power Factor) magnetic ballast (the power factor is printed on the ballast label), usually the lamps can be made brighter by replacing with an electronic HPF (High Power Factor) ballast. Note: consult the size and spec's for ballast on this site to check if the ballast size is the same or drilling new mounting holes and/or different wiring might be necessary.

20. Excessive Heat, smoke or sparks.
Immediately turn off breaker or unplug unit, hire an electrician to diagnose the problem.