After getting a replacement, which didn't work either, I finally figured out that it really needed to be in a dark corner. The kit I threw away actually started producing in the garage without even being watered.
Once I figured that out, I was able to get the kits to work, first inside, and after getting the first crop, I put them outside in the yard for more output :)

Finally, got some mushrooms indoors, after weeks of failing :)

The other kit had other mushrooms, which were quite yummy too

And I was able to get more by just putting the already used up kits outside

Did we save money or time? Hell no :) but it's about the challenge :)