http://www.smh.com.au/news/biztech/faulty-xbox-yarn-is-nixed/2008/01/30/1201369215112.html

In response to that article, I sent the following to the Sydney Morning Herald (and also thought other users might appreciate this):

Having just read the article “Faulty Xbox yarn is nixed” from January 30 2008 – I have further information with regards to that story.

I purchased an Xbox 360 Pro (as mentioned in the article – the ones with the defects) in October 2006, after my Xbox version one died 3 separate times. Whilst wary about purchasing a 360, it was the only console available, and so decided to buy one. At the time of purchase, an EB Games employee asked if I would like an “extended warranty”, which meant, in his words “that if the 360 fails in the next two years, we’ll replace it with a new one”. Naturally my wariness over the reliability of Xbox products encouraged me to do so. This cost me $85, and covered me for two years from purchase (ie, until October 08).

In the past two weeks, my 360 has been suffering from the “two red light” overheating shutdown. I am not able to play my 360 for more than 5-10 minutes every 6-12 hours, even during the middle of the night when air temperatures are cooler, and not at all during the day. With my MS warranty running out just days before it started (and of course not being covered by the extended 3 year MS warranty due to the fault not being the “Red Ring of Death”), I contacted EB in the belief that they would replace my 360 with a new one.

The response I got was not impressive: EB Games had chosen to refund ALL customers who had purchased the extended warranty, as they had/have been involved in LEGAL ACTION with MS, and as such were no longer able to uphold their end of the deal by providing customers with a new xbox 360.

I was told that there still were no Xbox consoles currently in stock, and that there would not be for at least two weeks – whether this was new or reconditioned models was not specified.

Their “best offer”, as they put it, was to refund me the $85 for the warranty, and offer me a swap on my console for another “seconhand” (read: faulty and repaired) console. I said I would consider my options and get back to them. At this stage I am considering contacting the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs, ACCC and/or legal counsel due to the misrepresentation on the value of the warranty/merchantable quality of the goods, as well as contractual issues surrounding the warranty.

I would be interested to hear whether an EB Games employee has specifically given a false or misleading statement re: Legal action involving MS.

As it is, I do not believe I will engage in commerce involving either EB or MS in the future, and will be advising other consumers to avoid the 360 at all costs.

My take on it is this, EB sell their own extended warranty – MS announce (in good faith) that on July 5th 2007 that; “The company said it will cover machines that experience such failures for up to three years from the date of purchase” see here: http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9740021-7.html?tag=txt

So EB decides that all those juicy “extended” warranties they sold can now be covered by MS rather than their own insurance company (you don’t really think that EB have a bunch of qualified staff actually fixing the units do you?) They are all covered by an insurance company against failure…..

End state:- Went into GAME got a good Deal on the Xbox, extra controller, HDMI and a battery charger.

I’ve had nothing but bad experiences with them. I bought a used original x-box around like 2003. The first one they gave me wouldn’t even turn on. The second one they gave me had a red ring the instant you plugged it up. EB didn’t even plug that machine up to see if it worked before taking it and, more importantly, selling it. Strike 1.

I bought a a used gamecube a few months ago. THe video cord was broken out of the box. Luckily my old N64 cable worked. However, once again, EB didn’t even test the system to see if it worked or not before selling it. Strike 2

Strike 3. I purchased a used 360 game that wouldn’t even load past the logo screens. They didn’t even test the game out and sadly they probably sold that broken disc back to someone else. Strike 3.

EB is easily the worst place to buy used games or systems. They screw the consumer on a regular basis and they screw game makers on a daily basis. I hate them. I’m glad someone is finally giving them a taste of their own medicine. I hope this drives EB Au to bankruptcy.

Every time I ask them if they have any Wii’s they tell me they’re “out of stock” and “don’t know when they will be getting more in”.

Oh EB is sad they can’t gouge the public into purchasing an extended warranty from them. Awwww, too bad.