We are on our second pre-lit tree in 3 years. We had issues with the first tree the very first season...the top section would be on...then, a little bit later, it would be off. Very frustrating. Then last year, the top section kept going off and on and the middle section only had half the lights burning. So, I put a strand of lights in that area and that worked fine till the evening before all our family were coming and, wouldn't you know it, that extra strand started randomly going on and off! So, we went out last weekend and bought a new tree at Lowes. It is a beautiful pre-lit tree...very sturdy and seems well put together.