MS Refunding 360 Repair Fees and Extending Warranty

[K3V]

http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/...kFZkizkBDt.php

SPOnG can confirm emerging reports that claim Microsoft is poised to announce a warranty extension for Xbox 360 early adopters in the US, with the program expected be rolled out across the world during the coming weeks.

We placed a call to Microsoft's Xbox customer support centre in the US today whereupon an operator outlined that indeed, there is some good news for some Xbox 360 owners. If your console is manufactured in or before January 2006, a one year warranty extension will be offered. The warranty extension will be from the date date of manufacture of your console, unless you have a sales receipt showing that you bought a machine manufactured before January. In which case your extension will be one year from date of purchase.

What's more, if you have a machine that would qualify for the extension and you've had to pay for a repair already, Microsoft will issue a cheque for the full repair amount, usually $139.90.

Read More: spong.com

!Update! Microsoft also confirmed the story to kotaku.com:

As part of our standard and ongoing process of analyzing repair data, we recently noticed a higher than usual number of units coming in for repair. Upon further investigation, it was further discovered that the bulk of the units were isolated to a group that was part of the initial manufacturing run of the console. Returns for repair are coming in for a variety reasons and it's a higher rate than we are satisfied with. We've made the decision to comp repairs for consoles manufactured before January 1, 2006, and provide refunds to the small group of customers who have already paid for repairs.

Wow ... so it looks like MS finally admits the problems instead of repeating their "below the industry average of 3-5% failrate" BS.

Luckily I haven't had any problems with my Dec. 2005 system but big ups to Microsoft for this. The 1 year warranty is nice to have.

[Nash]

You know what's nice to have? Systems that don't break down.

[MarkRyan]

but big ups to Microsoft for this. The 1 year warranty is nice to have.

Yes, big ups to Microsoft who's managed to make a system that breaks even more than the PS2. Among the 50 or so 360s owned between my coworkers and the office, a good 15 or more have broken (some have been returned twice).

[Brand X]

Thank fucking god. I'm glad I didn't pay the $130 to get this thing fixed.

But of course this is Spong reporting this, so it could very well be complete bullshit.

[avatar]

Yes, big ups to Microsoft who's managed to make a system that breaks even more than the PS2. Among the 50 or so 360s owned between my coworkers and the office, a good 15 or more have broken (some have been returned twice).

Every compamy has some faulty stuff.

[MarkRyan]

But of course this is Spong reporting this, so it could very well be complete bullshit.

It's on IGN, too. Doug called Microsoft. It's true.

Every compamy has some faulty stuff.

Absolutely, but the failure rate for 360s is worse than average.

[Brand X]

I was just browsing the same type of thread on the IGN boards to see if there is confirmation on any truth, and apparently it is true. A few people called up and said that A) refunds were being sent out automatically to people with registered 360's made before 06 who had them fixed and B) that they are doing repairs for systems manufactured before 06 for free.

There were many people who said that, so hopefully it is true, but I am calling tomorrow to find out, so I'll post updates.

It's on IGN, too. Doug called Microsoft.

And that confirmation. Whoop whoop!

[JefmcC]

I've had problems with every single disc based system. Kudos to MS for taking responsibility. This is the kind of thing that builds customer loyalty.

[Brand X]

This is the kind of thing that builds customer loyalty.

But having units crap out on people after 5 months of owning them and charging $139 to get them repaired is what loses customers.

[MarkRyan]

This is the kind of thing that builds customer loyalty.

More accurately, this is the kind of thing that avoids class action lawsuits like Sony endured with PS2. Though no one gave any big ups to Sony for out of warranty repairs of PS2's with DREs, even though they did them for all consoles, not just the ones released at launch.