Mutha fucka. Over a month ago my 360 decided that the disk drive really isn't all that important and it was just going to up and die on me. So I called customer support (again) and started the repair process. In case you don't know that involves shipping you an empty box, you shipping your console to them in it, them waiting a while to get it back. If they can't fix yours they ship you a "refurbished" one.

So 2 days ago I finally get the 360 back. I take it out of the box and something's off, it feels beat up. The case feels wrong, like it's a little loose. It's got a build date of over a year ago and now I see they sent me back a "refurb." Whatever, I just wanted my 360 back. So I get it home, hook it up, and the drive doesn't open. It makes a weird whirring sound and the drive tries to push the tray out, but nothing. I poke a paperclip in there to manually do it, and it works. But the machine cannot eject the tray on it's own. Wonderful.

So I call customer support to find out why they shipped me an obviously beat up console, and they told me to send it in for repair, AGAIN. They'll ship me a box and yadda yadda yadda.

It obvious that they "fix" these consoles just enough to shove them out the door. As someone who takes care of their systems, getting one of these used and abused things back suck the big one.

I ask if I can just ship it back in the box that's sitting right next to me, since I'd love to say a few days.

Nope.

I ask if there's anyway to expedite the repair since it's their fault they shipped me a busted unit.

Nope.

I ask what's owed to me for them putting me out like this. I paid money to get it fixed and here I sit with a new (old) broken 360.

Nothing.

So what now? I wait another 4 to 6 weeks.

Thanks Microsoft, thanks a lot. If you're keeping track, this marks the 4th console I've had to get. Add Jimmy's 5, Xav's 3 and Kevin's 2. Between the 4 writers here, we've gone though 14 Xbox 360 consoles because of repairs.

Comments (14)

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written by B, August 09, 2007

I have a feeling, I'll be on my 3rd before the year is up.

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written by Jim Squires, August 09, 2007

Gah. MSoft sucks the big one on repairs now. I have another friend who is waiting for his repair to come back. Up here in Canada, the official word is (according to my friend) that because of the 3-ring warranty extension Microsoft is completely out of refurbs. That means the 5 day turnaround is now a 4-6 week repair time, no matter what the issue.

I seriously think they owe you some sort of make-it-goodery. Call back and use the "I work in the gaming press" line and see if that'll get you a refund. It may not get you chicks, but it has to be good for something.

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written by Xav de Matos, August 09, 2007

I'll be using my extended warranty soon to get one of the new HDMI/65nm systems...

Then, I should be ok.

I say, shit in a box and mail it to them... you know... just to see what happens!

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written by Xerxes3rd, August 09, 2007

My 360 does that drive thing too... when I press the eject button, half the time the drive tries to eject, but seems "stuck." I thought it was hanging up on the faceplate, but that's not the case. I think I'll try to hold off shipping it back until it RRODs on me, as long as I can still get the drive to (eventually) open.

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written by Guruthos, August 09, 2007

I know it's just a matter of time until mine dies. I feel genuinely frustrated for you, as I have been in a similar situation before.

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written by Dan Zuccarelli, August 09, 2007

I think it's the whole "there's nothing we can do" line that pisses me off most. Since it's their fault here I feel like I oughta get something out of this... faster reapir, free game... SOMETHING

oh well...

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written by Swiftwulf, August 10, 2007

Im in the "4-6 Week" bracket as my xbox got the red ring last week. I actually Re-activated my WoW account to help fill the void until I get my xbox back. It is going to be a long month and a half.

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written by Katana, August 10, 2007

Just an aside here, I work in computer tech support, and Microsoft is not the only company in the world that sucks at repairing broken systems. I am consistently amazed by how simple issues don't get fixed when systems get sent in to our company and the refurbs are even worse. I've had folks call with refurbs that are DOA, won't even turn on. So while they do have some quality issues in their manufacturing process having slow/shoddy repairs is an industry thing, not just them.

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written by Xav de Matos, August 10, 2007

Email Steve Baumer.
Because like Billy Mitchell, Baumer always has a plan.

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written by Dan Zuccarelli, August 10, 2007

does he have Steve Ballmer's old job?

Ahhh, I'm just fucking wit'cha

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written by Xav de Matos, August 10, 2007

Oh shit! Steve Baumer works in the HR Department... my bad. LOL

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written by MC, August 12, 2007

wow... that is insane. Remember how bad you could beat up one of those older consoles, and they'd still keep on ticking...

I am in awe of the scale of this problem.

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written by Andrew Hayward, August 12, 2007

Hey, my launch console finally broke down yesterday. I feel like one of the guys.

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written by Martin, September 02, 2007

Same thing happend to me, shipped me a broken console. I sent a note to the BBB, figure it can't hurt.

Martin

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