My latest refurbished 360 unit was functional for about a week before giving out and displaying the RROD. This is unit number 4 for me now.

The CSR at Microsoft seemed quite surprised that I've had that many consoles die in such a short period of time. After giving him my information, he informed me that he was going to send out an expediated overnight Fedex box for me to ship my 360 and the power brick back to Microsoft. He said that upon receiving this, they would send back a brand new 360 to me.

I thought that this was a very good response from Microsoft and that they had finally turned a corner on making the repair process more palatable.

Then he released that I was Canadian, and could not get expediated shipping, a replacement power brick or a new console. I'm stuck using Microsoft's made-in-Canada process that has given me my last three bug-riddled refurbished consoles.

Then he released that I was Canadian, and could not get expediated shipping, a replacement power brick or a new console. I'm stuck using Microsoft's made-in-Canada process that has given me my last three bug-riddled refurbished consoles.

Did he explain (or did you ask) why exactly being a Canadian has anything to do with getting a new console?

Apparently, Canadians have only one option for console repair. The Canadian single option is to receive a refurbished (and inherently defective) console using standard Puralator shipping from Microsoft's warehouse in Ontario. Unlike the U.S., there is no option for expedited shipping, replacing a possibly defective power brick, or receiving a new, nonrefurbished unit. Microsoft is certainly a lot more concerned about taking care of its U.S. customers than it is about taking care of its Canadian customers.

Hopefully, in three to four weeks, I'll be receiving another inherently defective unit and I will be counting the days until it gives me the red ring of death. My last one gave a total of 9 days of gaming before dieing on me. The first time a 360 died on me, it took three months from when I first called Microsoft (and repeated calls after that) to get my first inherently defective refurbished unit.

I very much regret choosing the 360 as my main console over the PS3.

My 360 has not had any problems but I think if it were, I would purchase a new one from walmart or costco, and return the defective one to them a day later.

These stories of repeatedly getting defective units is rediculous.

Nice ethics. They would most likely notice that the serial # on the console you are returning is different from the one you bought.

I had enough of the 360 after 3 RRODs to cut my losses and sell off everything or trade in at EB Games for PS3 stuff.

BTW heads up on sigs guys, I was given a warning that my signature was apparently too big. You know, the blue one I used to have. It would seem they can't be bigger than the fonts used for posting. :confused:

Giving up after only 3 RRODs? What about all the games?!? Quitter...
[/sarcasm] :)

I'll just have to get used to the fact that I'll never be able to play Halo again. [sniff] ;)

I'll just have to get used to the fact that I'll never be able to play Halo again. [sniff] ;)
Uhm ya.. no big loss there. Gears Of War 1[2] would be the only thing I would lament on that console. There are plenty of substitutes or multiplatform releases to satisfy the rest.

Nice ethics. They would most likely notice that the serial # on the console you are returning is different from the one you bought.
In the case of the 360 and the RROD I really wouldn't blame someone for wanting to take that approach. The store gets credit eventually.

Also. if people can return a PS3 that's just a box with a couple of telephone books in it there's a good chance they ain't scanning serials.

Or maybe the employee who accepts the return gets reprimanded/fired? So long as you don't have to deal with it, though. That's all that really matters, right? :rolleyes:

I worked retail for 10 years. I spent 3 of those as a the manager of an electronics outfit. I have replaced stuff over the counter for customers so they didn't have the wait the 4-6 weeks for the warranty process. I then just ship it back as DOA. I doubt anyone would get fired about getting scammed like that unless the store had a written policy on game console returns.

Personally I wouldn't do it. If I ever find myself in the market for a 360 I won't be shopping for the console but for the best extended warranty. I'll happily pay $50 for 3 year over the counter replacement on it. As far as dodgy returns go though that one is pretty minor imo. In the end MS eats it anyway, not the employee and not the store.

Nice ethics. They would most likely notice that the serial # on the console you are returning is different from the one you bought.

I really wouldn't feel guilty at all. In the end it would be microsoft picking up the tab, which should have happened in the first place. I wouldnt lose any sleep over it.

I have worked in retail before and depending on the store you return it too they would unlikely do much more than check that there is an actual unit being returned.

Just so everyone knows the ps3 isnt without flaw. I bought on and it lasted about 3 weeks then the rsx went on it and started doing sum weird stuff. the good thing was within 2 days i got a box sent to ship it free of charge and with in 7 business days a got another one(referbished). after about a week it had a horrible fan noise and hdd would not install anything so sent it back same process and 9 days later got a new one this time and has purred like a kitten and its been just over a year now. Its not right that ms does not have the same sort setup in place and i mean i live in ontario and have a friend who it took like 3 months to get his 360 back and it kicked it like 2 months later. thats crap. i really like the 360 alot but until the fix that loud drive and get better quality I just cant swing it.

btw I heard that 360's are going to come equiped with onboard blu-ray as early as june has anyone else heard of this? if so that will keep things very, very interesting!

It isn't a matter of ethics, it is fraud.

Yeah, but the consensus seems to be that its good fraud. :rolleyes:

Its not right that ms does not have the same sort setup in place

It's frustrating to know that Microsoft does have a better process in place to take care of its U.S. customers.

There is a simple reason why they have developed a better repair process for U.S. customers. They are afraid of being hit with a multi-billion dollar class-action lawsuit in the U.S. over knowingly rushing a defective product to market in order to get a leg up on Sony.

To avoid such a lawsuit, they are willing to take extra steps to keep their U.S. customers happy. This includes providing expedited shipping and new consoles for extreme RROD cases such as mine.

In Canada, the threat that would come from a multi-billion dollar class-action lawsuits is almost non-existent. As such, Microsoft won't do anything more than ship out another poorly repaired refurbished unit from the endless supply that they have in their Canadian warehouse.

btw I heard that 360's are going to come equiped with onboard blu-ray as early as june has anyone else heard of this? if so that will keep things very, very interesting!

Not even a snowballs chance..... Would be nice though :)

Not sure why it is taking so long for some, I am in Montreal and had my system back in 7 days.
Now if I had 4 fail on my it would be on a direct flight out my window...

COD4 KILLED MY XBOX!

:eek:

I got to slice a damn watermelon at the firing range when...BAM...three red lights glowing nicely on my console.

I guess I get to join the club.

I honestly thought my 1 1/2 year old machine would survive as I am a light user and take great care of items like this.

Interestingly, the coffin is on its way but the phone rep said that in Canada they only do exchanges and not repairs. I know I'll get a refurb back, but is this policy different than in the US? He said it was because I was in Canada. [Nevermind: I actually read back a few pages and see people complaining about this very thing. Sigh.]

Good thing I have my PS3 and Wii still going!

Maybe you'll get lucky and get one of my former consoles as a refurb...not so lightly used (except the one that died after 5 hours) but well maintained. Good luck!