Artificial XMas trees changing colors while being stored in the attic??? (credit card, house)

[jules07]

Last year we purchased a gorgeous, all white w/white lights fake tree from one of the big box hardware stores. Since everything worked and there were no missing parts or anything, STUPID ME didn't keep the receipt. Also didn't keep the box, instead we stored it in two big huge plastic containers, in the attic. This is the first time we've ever stored anything like that in the attic since moving to SA.

Fast forward to this year, Otherhalf decides to be sweet and set up the tree while I was at work. The darned thing is no longer white! It's mostly a dirty-golden color! I'm crushed! We spent a good chunk o' change on that thing and hoped to be able to us it for at least 3-4 years. I could have bought a HUGE, really nice, flocked cut tree for what we spent if I knew it would only be able to be used 1 year.

Is this a condition of SA heat and storage in the attic? Has anyone else successfully stored a white tree? Would I have any luck AT ALL going back to the store about it?


waaaaaaaa!!!! I really loved that tree......

[nicholasa101]

ok- maybe this is a really stupid suggestion- but what about spraying it with that flocking stuff?? Well- I guess if it comes with the lights already on it- you could'nt do it

[sapphire]

Yes, take it back! What have you got to lose--gas is cheap again, so if they say no, meh.

It can't hurt to try, and I'd be chapped, too.

[mrstxcop]

i know home depot used to take back almost anything, even without a receipt...i don't know if they have changed their policy or not but i was there about a year ago returning something and a lady in front of me was returning a trashcan that she said was 6yrs old --- she was returning it for fading and cracking --- they went ahead and exchanged it for her ---

so i would give it a try if it was from home depot...

[wCat]

Jules...I would give it a try too. I mean, it's something you use for a month once a year, so why would you WAIT a year to return it unless it was legit. As Sapphire said, they can only say no.

As far as why.....I have a friend in the plastics business, and he explained that plastic just tends to yellow with age. I remember trying to scrub and bleach some "plastic" things years ago, only to find out that the "yellow" was not on the surface but through the entire product. The time lapse of how fast it turns depends on the qualities of the plastic and the type of elements it's exposed to. Unfortunately your tree, being white and being stored in the attic added to the problem. A green tree probably changes too, but the color most likely disguises any discoloration. Manufacturers need to put storage instructions on these things!!

SORRY~ bummer!

[jules07]

Thanx guys (gals! )! I think I'm gonna try taking it back, you all are right, worst they can do is say no and then I can have a meltdown (like when I was beside the rack of highly expensive designer jeans ) and maybe they'd feel sorry for this old lady and help me out.

Cat ~ that TOTALLY makes sense about the plastic changing color! I didn't even think of that when we bought it, just LOVED the all white tree (and honestly, it did look great with all my purple ornaments and peacock stuff, sniff). I may hafta also see if they've had others with problems with the white ones. May hafta stick with green.

OH, it was from the "other" big box hardware store, not HD. Hope they're as forgiving on returns as HD.

[luckygreeniii]

Originally Posted by jules07

Thanx guys (gals! )! I think I'm gonna try taking it back, you all are right, worst they can do is say no and then I can have a meltdown (like when I was beside the rack of highly expensive designer jeans ) and maybe they'd feel sorry for this old lady and help me out.

Cat ~ that TOTALLY makes sense about the plastic changing color! I didn't even think of that when we bought it, just LOVED the all white tree (and honestly, it did look great with all my purple ornaments and peacock stuff, sniff). I may hafta also see if they've had others with problems with the white ones. May hafta stick with green.

OH, it was from the "other" big box hardware store, not HD. Hope they're as forgiving on returns as HD.

I was looking around online last night to see if there were any "helpful hints" to fix your tree problem. Sadly, I didn't find any. There were lots of tips on storing your tree, #1 not in the attic (which is where ours was at) and also to seal it in a bag and to try and keep the moisture away and temp constant (I think they all said between 40 and 80) Who knew it was so complicated?

Good luck with trying to take it back!

[jules07]

Originally Posted by luckygreeniii

I was looking around online last night to see if there were any "helpful hints" to fix your tree problem. Sadly, I didn't find any. There were lots of tips on storing your tree, #1 not in the attic (which is where ours was at) and also to seal it in a bag and to try and keep the moisture away and temp constant (I think they all said between 40 and 80) Who knew it was so complicated?

Good luck with trying to take it back!

Exactly!!!! I shoulda researched it some before we bought it. If the store won't take it back, I guess it'll be one of life's lessons. (And I sure won't be replacing it with another tree that has to be stored in the house instead of the attic! There's absolutely NO room in our house to store it. ugh.)

[luckygreeniii]

Originally Posted by jules07

Exactly!!!! I shoulda researched it some before we bought it. If the store won't take it back, I guess it'll be one of life's lessons. (And I sure won't be replacing it with another tree that has to be stored in the house instead of the attic! There's absolutely NO room in our house to store it. ugh.)

You could just leave it up all year round???? Ya know, hearts for valentines, clovers for st. patricks, etc....

[cheermomof4girls]

Did you pay for the tree with a credit card? If so, maybe you can find the transaction through your credit card company for proof of purchase if they need it.