I got 2 F15T12 Vitalites One wouldn't light. These had ends where the wires were soldered. I finally used an old soldering GUN and heated the end up that was open and got more solder to go in. YAY !  That fixed it. DARN that bulb has LOTS of mercury !! 

Glad you got it to work

I found a 20 watt one the same way. I put it in my preheat fixture over the stove....shorted out the open side and it lit. Darn that has lots of mercury .....