My experience of CFL bulbs is that they are worth the initial outlay. I have generally only purchased from sources I trust.

IKEA for cheap basic 11w 'sticks' - designed and specified by IKEA, but made in China. I have 2 of these inside, 8 in yard and drive lights and 4 in the workshop (unheated & draughty). I've just replaced the first one in the workshop. All were installed at the end of 2002, and the outside lights are on timeswitch/photocell, which means they have been switched on and off about 6000 times, and have burnt for almost 12000 hours. They perform OK at -5C - we don't usually get below that.

Megaman (German made) for most of the fancier lights inside - no replacements since 2002.

I've just replaced some Phillips Softone 18w with a 'curly' 18w no-name (actually 'Helix' but I have no idea where they're made), bought from a good specialist supplier. The Phillips were getting slow to start after 7+ years, and the new ones give a better colour light. I'll let you know if they last the advertised 8000 hours average.

I still have about 10 incandescents in the house - mainly bathrooms, with 6 in little-used recessed spots.

I installed a couple of LED ceiling lights, but their heat output worried me, so I replaced those with CFLs.

Phil