The first time I encountered a salt lamp was in a local day spa that features therapeutic massages. The warm, glowing product captured my interest and curiosity. That particular salt lamp at the spa was big, though,--a sphere kind of like something from a Harry Potter movie--LOL! The salt sphere was costing over $100, so it was beyond my budget at the time. My curiosity led to me Amazon to see if I could find a smaller, more affordable one. To my joy, I found that Amazon had various opportunities for a product like this, but to my worry, there seemed to be some negativity / problems about certain groups of products. I read all the mixed reviews from various products, including the horror stories where people had received defective, damaged lamps and beat up boxes. After landing on this product's page and mulling it over for a day or two, I decided to try the product...for better or worse. I clicked checkout, and I didn't set my expectations too high. So, the day came, and the product arrived in a nice, clean sturdy outer box with plastic air bags as internal cushions. The product was heavy, but its personal box inside the shipping box was in pristine condition---no bangs, dents, scraps, etc. My heart lifted! So, I carefully opened that outer box and encountered a white innerbox, then at last, the product in carefully arranged, secure bubble wrap. It was quite obviously new---not some display product that had been in someone's shop and stuffed in a box at the last minute for shipping. I did NOT see any broken pieces, shards, dust, or broken bulb! (The bulb was included; some reviewers had stated they had received the product with no bulb.) Also, one of the best things for me: no upfront assembly was required! :) Once the lamp was free from packing materials, it was ready to go! I flipped the generous-sized switch and received the beauty, magic, and joy a salt lamp promised to offer. In my experience with this WBM International product, everything was in perfect order--better than expected actually, and the product even came with a helpful little user manual that discusses the following: 1) Product Features; 2) Benefits; 3) Locations for Usage; 4) FAQ section; 5) Safety Instructions & Handling; 6) Operating Instructions and maintenance; 7) How to Change Bulb when needed / what type of replacement bulb to use; and 8) company contact information. I suggest that everyone read this information thoroughly before using the lamp! One of the FAQ questions caught my eye, and I thought it was interesting information to pass along to potential buyers: "What size should an Ionic Salt Lamp be to give the best results?" The answer was given with some examples in a little grid, but here, I will give you some of the information as text. Quoted from User Manual: "A rough rule of thumb is 1 pound for every 10 square feet." / For optimal results in large rooms, several lamps should be strategically placed throughout the room." Examples:Room: Office Cubicle; lamp size needed, 4-8lbs. Room Size: 10' x 20'; lamp size needed, 16-23lbs ** **You should be aware, though, that some people believe such products' health benefits to be an outright hoax / scam from specified source, and googling salt lamp scams can be very interesting reading for those that like to delve into more research and debates, You get to see people that swear by them and people who believe its all bunk--with everything in between. It can be really difficult to decide who to believe and why! LOL :) Health Happy product or Hoax--it's still an interesting, unusual lamp to me. The whole product is really earthy and natural looking, and if someone didn't like earthy and natural, he / she may not like this product. People who like smooth, "elegant" products and no jagged edges may not like this product. I, however, was pleased with the unique, somewhat egg shape of my lamp. I find its peaks and valleys to be most distinctive and interesting. From my view, the light's color is rather like a happy, warm orange that rather glows like embers in the fireplace. I cannot speak to its actual ionic health properties and / or as scam folks would say, the "lack there of." I believe that determination comes with more use and time and what people wish to research and believe or disbelieve as the case may be. However, in my home, this strange lamp comforts through its glow and appearance. It inspires creativity, conversation, and humor--really, its hard to be so miserable and serious around a lamp made of a large lump of salt! LOL I feel most blessed to have received a quality, intact product, and it is my wish that others receive the same quality and satisfaction with the Salt Lamp as I have. My advise is to read product reviews and informational articles first before you buy---especially with certain manufacturers as well as certain types of electrical chords / bases. Be safety concerned for you and yours as apparently there are a lot of inferior products in this category from certain providers / sellers! Be sure to look at SELLER reviews / ratings also. [I suspect the seller / manufacturers makes a notable difference between receiving quality and a box of junk --scams, crams, and otherwise.] A visit to the WBM International website can give you specific product details as it relates to uses for their products like the one on this page, its benefits, and even its alleged healing. Sometimes, with healing and comfort, attitude and belief are everything! If you believe something is positive in your life and helpful, then maybe in many cases that something is! :) Everyone's experiences are different. This is a lamp to rest or relax by, not to read by. As with any electrical product, exercise caution AND good sense, especially when changing the bulb or working with the cord. I personally would be mindful about putting this around small children or pets who might grab or bump it--potentially hurting themselves or the lamp. To help other buyers, I have added some images of the box I received. One of the panels confirms the UL listing. // I purchased the "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com" option, and my salt lamp is from WBM. [There seems to be at least one competing product from Ancient Secrets and Tiger Dive!] Again read choices and reviews carefully! Read more
