Got a 360 for a gift in Nov.
31 days after I had it, got the RROD, checked the error code and found it was a fault in the external power supply.

I contacted MS, they confirmed this as well but said I had to pay to ship the complete supply (brick and cord) on my dime. Spent $13 to do so.

Now three weeks later I get the box back, and there's no goddamn power cord, just the brick.

I call support, explain the problem, woman says it should be an easy fix, she just needs to confirm with her supervisor; I then get a guy who claims he is the top supervisor and says they have to expedite the process to see what happened, but can't just send me a new power cord. They're supposed to call me back soon to inform me they're shipping a new cord, but I figure that's a laugh.

Is this bullshit service typical from MS/360? I figure it is, considering the three times I've called support, I get someone who can barely speak English and sounds like they're reading from a script.

no

you should have payed nothing.

In the meantime, you might be able to get a replacement. Take a quick trip down to Radio Shack. Take the power brick with you and find one that fits.

http://www.radioshack.com/search/ind...er%20cord&sr=1

I have one that would work sitting around, but Microsoft has a plastic notch in the socket it plugs into, which I assume they did so people can't easily replace missing/broken parts.

That is not typical 360 customer support -- that is better-than-average 360 customer support.

I'm surprised they actually acknowledged the RRoD. When I called them, I swear the guy acted like he had never heard of that problem before.

Eh, considering they extended warranties on RROD problems to three years, it's hard for them to deny it anymore.

Anyhow, a short update. I called back after eight hours had passed. The guy had no record of an earlier complaint, said my problem was easy to fix and processed a shipment of a power cord, even making sure I was getting the right number of prongs.

A friend gave me the number for Tier 3/Escalation support, and it goes to an obviously American office (open M-F only 6-4). He said I should complain about the treatment I got today when I called in, and also about having to pay to ship the thing back.

If you get anyone that speaks english, that would be a first.

I am still not sure why you payed anything. My two problems were both on Micro's dime.

I agree with the not paying. I have had to replace my entire console twice and both times it was completely on their dime.