Is cheap lighting from online marketplaces safe to buy?
A light fitting bought for a fraction of the showroom price can look identical in a photograph. What the photograph cannot show is what happens behind the fitting plate — whether the wiring is rated for the load, whether the earth connection is genuine or cosmetic, and whether anyone has tested it against UK electrical safety regulations at all.
What to check before buying
Price and a convincing photograph cannot establish electrical safety. Electrical Safety First has found unsafe electrical products in tests of items bought from online marketplaces. These findings concern the products examined; they do not establish that every marketplace light is unsafe. Check who is selling the fitting, its manufacturer identification, ratings and installation instructions.
A familiar marketplace name does not identify the seller of an individual listing. Check the seller’s contact details and the manufacturer’s product information before ordering.
The three things worth checking on any fitting
The mark. Look for CE or UKCA on the product and its packaging, not just in the listing description. A mark in a photograph is not a mark on the item you receive.
The plug and wiring. UK plugs must meet BS 1363. Fittings without a UK-standard plug, or with wiring that looks thinner or more brittle than it should, are a warning sign rather than a bargain.
The paperwork. Genuine fittings come with instructions covering safe installation, electrical ratings, and disposal. Missing or vague instructions are one of the most common markers of a non-compliant product.
Why a showroom changes the equation
We source lighting from established suppliers and can help you compare fittings, check product information and raise questions with the supplier. Online orders through Illuminations Direct are for collection from our Camberley showroom; the website does not offer UK delivery.
Related reading
Buy the light, not the photograph, and not the listing either.
Source: Electrical Safety First — marketplace investigations and safer shopping guidance.
Common questions
What should I check before buying a light fitting online? Check the seller, manufacturer identification, electrical ratings, instructions and any supplied plug or charger. Markings alone are not a guarantee of safety.
Is lighting sold on Amazon or eBay safe? Assess the individual seller and product. Electrical Safety First has found unsafe products in marketplace investigations; that does not mean every light offered on a marketplace is unsafe.
Why buy lighting from a showroom instead of a marketplace listing? Our team can help compare fittings, check product information and contact the supplier about questions. Illuminations Direct online orders are collected from Camberley.
Advice from our Camberley showroom
By the Illuminations of Camberley team, independent lighting specialists established in 1971. We help customers compare fittings, finishes and scale at our High Street showroom. Meet Illuminations.
See lighting in our customers’ real homes, or contact us with your room photographs and measurements. Check availability before travelling to see a particular fitting.
Illuminations of Camberley · 66-68 High Street, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3RS · Open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5:30pm. Buy the light, not the photograph.