Microsoft Basically Recalling First Run Of Xbox 360s
Microsoft has announced it will be giving free repairs for any Xbox 360 purchased before January 1, 2006. That means that if you were one of the first to buy the Xbox 360, your warranty is extended by one year, and if you had it repaired for the $140 out-of-warranty fee, you will get that refunded to you. Microsoft’s statement explaining the change in policy:
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.
While most 360’s are fine, Microsoft has to start acknowledging that some number of them will just break for no good reason, and should just offer free repairs for any systems that break for non-damage reasons. Unless I drop my console, it is probably a manufacturing defect, and Microsoft should have always been taking responsibility.
The real lesson: If you buy a $400 game console and don’t get an extended warranty, you are an idiot. Most extended warranty’s are a waste of money, but paying Best Buy $40 to guarantee your console lasts at least two years is just a smart thing to do. I had to replace my console once already, and am glad I got the warranty.
