tpc

Okay. I'm almost ready to take the 360 plunge. I've heard all the horror stories with system problems, and all the reasons that they're overblown. Whatever. I want a warranty on this thing for this kind of investment.

So is the best deal to go with the Microsoft Warranty (60 bucks, 2 years) with the mail in hassle, or is it to go with a place like Gamestop or Best Buy and their easy replacement plan? I talked to the fine folks at Gamestop (hey, the one in my town seems to know their stuff... never had a problem) and they said it was 40 bucks for a one year replacement plan.

How does this compare to BestBuy's PRP? Does anyone know the cost on that?

Also, I'm concerned about the hard drive. Should I have to have repairs or replacements, do any of these methods allow me to keep my original hard drive, should something go wrong? I've heard that the MS plan does, but I would doubt the Replacement ones would...

In your minds, does being able to keep your hard drive outweigh the hassle of the mail-in?

Just looking for thoughts, here.

Michael Corvin

Well based on what you just said, just going by the numbers, $60 for two years is better than $40 for one.

No offense, but this has been done to death. There is a 360 thread & a 360 problem thread where it has been answered.

For shits and giggles one last time:
What it boils down to, the MS warranty can be used more than once if you system continues to fail. It also transfers to new systems if they have to replace yours. Just call and give them the new serial number. It is hardly a hassle either. Call 1-800-4MY-XBOX and pay by credit card. Took all of 10 minutes.

Best Buy(not sure about GS/EB/CC, although I expect they are very similar) is a one and done. Since they don't repair, they give you a new 360 off the shelf. Your warranty is tied to the original serial number on the broken box. Therefore you have to buy a new warranty everytime your 360 breaks.

If you have to mail in your system you ship without the hard drive. You keep it since it is very unlikely you will get your system back. You also keep your faceplates. Even though I had mine sent in once, I'd hardly say it was a hassle either. They ship you a box, you pack it up and stick the label in it and call UPS to pick it up. You get a new system about 10 days later*. It is just inconvenient not having your system for that time, not really a hassle.

*YMMV

pantala

If there is one close to you and you have a membership, the best bet is Costco. You will have to buy a bundle, but it doesn't come with anything you shouldn't have. (Extra controller, play and charge kit, PGR3.)

As stated in the 360 problems thread, I don't advocate using Costco's return policy as an upgrade plan, like some do for TVs and such, but they cannot be beat for equipment that is (likely) going to fail within a year.

Leechboy

When I got my replacement system at Gamestop they switched my HD out with the one from the new system.

Ispep Aloc

I'm currently waiting for my box to ship my system back and the tech support guy that I talked to told me that because of freezing issues they want the hard drives as well. I had to buy a memory card to get my saves and stuff off.

Save Ferris

My gamestop confirmed that they would let me keep my hard drive if I had to bring it in. Im now looking for a way to extend my extended warranty.

Is there a way to cover a year-old 360?

Phod

I have the same question Save Ferris.

Even if I bought mine in like, January, can I call Xbox and get the extended warranty?

Cause I've had a few nasty crashes lately and I'm worried

pizzamousechips

I never understood being able to do that. How would they know it's not faulty already?

Save Ferris

well in my case its already under warranty, I just want to renew it before it expires. If it was broken they know I could take it in right now and replace it.

collven

If you do the replacement plan at BB correctly, it is an excellent deal. According to the terms, you are supposed to call the 800 # on the form and they will ship you a mailing label. After you mail your product in, they will send you a voucher for the amount of the original purchase price, including tax. Therefore, if the price has gone down, or even if you want to purchase something else with the money, you still get the full original purchase price back to do whatever you want with.

After purchasing my original PS2, I have gotten 3 more for free. I got the 2nd free one right after the price had dropped to $149, which was $150 less than the one before it, so I had $150 in store credit to spend on whatever I wanted. I always just wait until right before the 2 years is up, and call them. It was pretty easy with the PS2, I just told them it had a disk read error and never had a problem getting the voucher.

If you do the exchange in store though, you might not credited for the full amount, they might just do an exchange.

Maxflier

But you would lose your hard drive and all your shit you have saved by using that scam method.

collven

Well, you would have to send in the hard drive too. You are supposed to send in everything that came in the original box.

If it hasn't been done already, I'm sure someone will figure out a way to backup a 360 hard drive soon though.

Cusm

Call and find out how long a warranty you have on your unit, it is typically more the 90 days. My first one bought in December had a June warranty, the replacement from April had a November warranty, and this last one replaced in August is good until October - sucks I lost a month, but I will get the 2 year plan before then. You have until this warranty expires to buy the extended warranty.