Display Anywhere Retro-Fit Unit #148

Disappointed

2 of the units were missing 1 spring each for battery contact. Yes, I should have contacted Dept. 56 and yes, you would have replaced them. However, because I was overly anxious to use them, I fashioned my own springs using paper clips. My design would not have met with your approval but it works. Not the quality I have come to expect from Dept. 56.

Could be Better

These use a lot of batteries and they don't have a 24-hour timer. When you turn them on some of them go off after a certain # of hours but they don't turn on again the next day. My village is up high so I had to go up a step ladder every day to turn them back on. 3 of them didn't go off at all. It is too much hassle to try to return them by mail. All-in-all I don't think these are a good value for the $. I know you can plug them in to some kind of lighting system but that is one more thing you have to purchase and find a place to hide.

battery powered LED lights do NOT create the same warm effect or blend in

While the IDEA is great, the reality was hugely disappointing. I'd say 90% of the magic of Department 56 buildings is the light. That warm light that pours out of all the windows - so cozy and magical. Having LED bright white light weakly coming through the windows looks SO wrong, especially if other buildings in the room have the traditional lights. I colored all the LED bulbs with yellow and orange sharpie and the color is now close enough to blend. I've been collecting Dept.56 since they first came out in the 70's - over 40 years. And I love them. With all the effort that goes into all the other details you guys could have done better on this.