Regardless of how EB did it, i.e. if they saved them up for a big refund MS shouldn’t be s stupid as to annoy them. They stock competing products and if they have problems with MS why should they promote them over the other consoles who don’t have as many problems?

With my Microsoft warranty running out just two weeks ago, my 360 has developed a “2 red light” overheating issue in the last week or so (no 3 year RROD warranty for me, yet – could be that it’s just hot – even though I am giving it between 6-12 hours to cool down, and produces the same result of failing after 5-10 minutes at night, and below room temperature). Knowing that I had my extended warranty, I contacted EB.

Their response: They are refunding all current extended warranties for the 360, and will no longer replace a failing 360 with a new one. The reason given was this: EB and MS have been or are involved in LEGAL ACTION over the 360. I don’t think the EB employee was meant to tell me this, much like the customer who was told by an EB Manager that EB actually do have some 14,000 odd failed units on hand – maybe not $10 million worth, but it’s getting there!). It was also acknowledged that there are no 360s in stock, and they would not be getting more for at least 2 weeks.

They have offered to refund me $85 and replace my console with another “secondhand” (which I gather means another piece of crap that used to be broken) console with a 12 month warranty. I am obviously not satisfied with that, and I am at this stage looking at all my options.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Xbox – Loved Bioshock, Gears of War, Mass Effect, NHL 07, etc. It was great fun to play, especially when I had a trial gold membership and got to play NHL online, as well as the Halo series. Great fun, no doubt. However, the overwhelming reliability issues have made me question whether I would even accept a new one. I know for certain that I will never own another Xbox product, and I am not likely to invest in more games for the system, whether or not I replace my console.

Plus, I’m still 100% convinced there is/was something going on between EB and Microsoft. Unfortunately, both companies are very good at covering their tracks.

No i read your original story just fine, i think you didn’t read mine so well.

My point was that you used MS’s no comment as a way of reinforcing the rumor when we all know it is a standard responce for them not to comment, then when EB Games chief executive Steve Wilson came out and said that the rumor was “99 percent bullshit” you suggested that your misunderstanding was MS’s fault for not commenting.

As far as your upcoming bombshell goes i’ll say this, if you find proof that EB Australia has anywhere near $10 million worth of broken 360’s (25,000 units) i’ll eat my hat and upload the video to Youtube as long as you write a proper retraction if you’re wrong.

Just wanted to clear this up:

1) The original story does state that it could be a rumour, so I’m not sure why you’re under the impression that it didn’t. Feel free to check.

2) I’ve received new information since the original story was posted that things are still not right between MS and EB, or at the very least, EB is not telling us everything. Right now I’m putting the pieces together, but don’t be surprised when the bomb drops in the next few weeks.

The reason the record hasn’t been “set straight” is because it’s not straight.

What the hell is your point?

I don’t have my own site but if i did i’d fact check my story before i posted it and if i was unable to get any hard facts i’d CLEARLY STATE that it was an unsubstantiated rumor and NOT try to reinforce the story by implying that a “no comment” from MS backs up their claims when we all know that it is MS’s stanard responce.

When i comment on a story it is either my OPINION stated as such or it is what i believe to be FACT and is supported by a source/s.

Anyway chill out, i’m not making that big a deal of this i just think that when somebody writes a story that could potentially harm a company/person that a new story that put’s the record straight should be posted rather than a quiet update to original post that could easily be overlooked by anybody that has already read it.