XB360 target of consumer watchdog TV programme

[Shifty Geezer]

A long-runningUK TV programme for consumer rights is investigating XB360 failure rate.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=22725

They'll no doubt be heavy handed, and unfortunately MS aren't sending a representative, but it'll be worth watching no matter what console you own as they should explain the full UK CE rights. Hopefully there'll be clarification on the nebulous statutory right that CE goods have to last a minimum period regardless of what official warranty the manufacturer supplies. I've never been able to pin those laws down though I've heard of them myself.

 

[TheChefO]

A long-runningUK TV programme for consumer rights is investigating XB360 failure rate.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=22725

They'll no doubt be heavy handed, and unfortunately MS aren't sending a representative, but it'll be worth watching no matter what console you own as they should explain the full UK CE rights. Hopefully there'll be clarification on the nebulous statutory right that CE goods have to last a minimum period regardless of what official warranty the manufacturer supplies. I've never been able to pin those laws down though I've heard of them myself.

Did they not extend the warranty for you guys in EU? Would be interesting to see where all those failures came from though. I've heard everything from Ram, to dvd-rom, to poorly pasted heatsinks.

 

[DuckThor Evil]

Did they not extend the warranty for you guys in EU?

Well in Finland we got 2 year free warranty straight from the start. My Box is still running solid, but what I have heard here the failure rate has been wayyy too high, naturally it's mostly the early models that are getting broke, but the faulty reputation will stick for some time. And I personally am not at ease with my Box, so many launch units have broken down that it really wouldn't come to me as a surprise if it brakes...

 

[-tkf-]

Did they not extend the warranty for you guys in EU? Would be interesting to see where all those failures came from though. I've heard everything from Ram, to dvd-rom, to poorly pasted heatsinks.

EU laws gives you 6 month warrenty and 18 months after that where you have to "prove" that the unit mailfunction is caused by the manufactor, in Microsofts case i think it´s safe to say that all owners of a 360 has 2 years of warranty in the EU.

A subject not mentioned here is the Live customers, among these:
http://forums.xbox.com/1/7864073/ShowPost.aspx#7864073
2770 responses several people complain about not getting refunded for XBOX live when their machine was in for a repair.

 

[infinity4]

we all know why microsoft didn't send representative, they never comment on rumours or issues

 

[infinity4]

it was very brief, didn't last even 5mins of 30min programme, but it made me to consider selling current one for 166GBP

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Very uninspiring. It just had a couple of overweight geeks saying how their XB360s died 14 months after purchase, and Watchdog have received 248 complaints. That might be a significant proportion of buyers, but it's really unknown. Oh, and repairs cost £80-90. From the GI.biz link, MS admitted to having a higher than expected failure rate when they increased the warranty Stateside. The total lack of information on statutory rights is a mystery though. Watchdog only presented the problem, and didn't offer any advice or comments.

 

[DeathKnight]

several people complain about not getting refunded for XBOX live when their machine was in for a repair.

I'm not logged into Live every single day nor do I always play online when I'm logged in. Should I ask for a refund for the days that I'm not using it? I think it's a bit excessive to expect refunds for Live when your machine is in for repair.

 

[Cheezdoodles]

I'm not logged into Live every single day nor do I always play online when I'm logged in. Should I ask for a refund for the days that I'm not using it? I think it's a bit excessive to expect refunds for Live when your machine is in for repair.

It takes what? 2 weeks to get it back from repair?

Okay, thats $2.5 for you.

This remind me, I remember reading a blog where some guy was making a huge deal over the fact that MS does not reinburse you for when the servers are down for maintance\upgrades.

Which last year was what? 70-80hours? In total (and done on the hours with the least players on (early morning).

So, this guy wanted reinbursment for it, because after all he paid $50 for a full year (thats (of course, legally, he didnt pay for that but thats another story). He said he was gonna sue etc, because he didnt want millions to feel injust by MS stealing money from them..

I wonder if MS will ever reimburse him for his $ 0,466 yearly "loss"

 

[one]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56-gQq62Hyc

 

[scooby_dooby]

It takes what? 2 weeks to get it back from repair?

Okay, thats $2.5 for you.

Ya if everything runs smoothly...in my case it was nearly 3months before the warrantee was completed, which is $15, I would expect a refund.

Luckily I took advantage of Futureshop's generous return policy and got a 'loaner'

 

[-tkf-]

It takes what? 2 weeks to get it back from repair?

I guess it depends right? 45 days for a repair is unheard off, and anyway 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 times 2 weeks is? Microsoft only had to provide one of those free XBOX live cards when they returned the machine.

 

[-tkf-]

I'm not logged into Live every single day nor do I always play online when I'm logged in. Should I ask for a refund for the days that I'm not using it? I think it's a bit excessive to expect refunds for Live when your machine is in for repair.

Actually there are more problems:

When your Xbox Live Marketplace content is first purchased, it becomes available for use by every gamertag on your Xbox 360 and can be fully accessed whether you are connected to Xbox Live or not. The problem is that the content becomes bound not only to your gamertag, but also to your specific Xbox 360. When your console is replaced, the hardware binding is broken and the restrictions kick in.

http://brokenxblm.blogspot.com/

 

[Pugger]

Deathknight I have complained about the amount of time I have not been able to use LIVE due to my console being off for repair on four occasions. I figured I'd lost over 2 months becasue of this and asked for a refund on my LIVE subscription, basically I eneded up talking to the Manager of the CS based in India, I had major problems making him understand my complaint and it was never resolved. tkf. As I pointed out I have had 4 refurbed machines never the same as I returned and have not seen any restriction regarding my marketplace content.

 

[-tkf-]

As I pointed out I have had 4 refurbed machines never the same as I returned and have not seen any restriction regarding my marketplace content.

I guess when a machine gets fixed Microsoft have to switch the serials etc to the "new" machine, and sometimes that is not the case.

 

[Diamond.G]

Deathknight I have complained about the amount of time I have not been able to use LIVE due to my console being off for repair on four occasions. I figured I'd lost over 2 months becasue of this and asked for a refund on my LIVE subscription, basically I eneded up talking to the Manager of the CS based in India, I had major problems making him understand my complaint and it was never resolved. tkf. As I pointed out I have had 4 refurbed machines never the same as I returned and have not seen any restriction regarding my marketplace content.

I know they switch serial for warranty, but could you try to play one of your arcade games while not logged into your live account (IE unplug ethernet/wireless connection). I didn't think that they swicthed serials for the games as I think that information is apart of the game itself. AFAIK You would have to make another account, delete all your games, MS refunds you the ttl points and you redownload them as the new account. But if that is not the case please let us know.