Microsoft promises refunds for Xbox 360 repairs

[Schlitz001]

I know a lot of people on here have experience and discussed the red ring of death with broken Xbox 360s. Recently Peter Moore announced that all red ring Xboxs will come with a three year warranty and free repairs. On top of that, if you had a red ring Xbox repaired in the past, you will be eligible for a refund of the costs.

 

I applaud Microsoft for finally stepping up like this. I have owned my Xbox 360 since launch day almost 2 years ago without problems (knocks on wood) and there was always a sense that it would eventually fail. Now I can rest a little easier.

To our Xbox Community:

 

You've spoken, and we?ve heard you. Good service and a good customer experience are areas of the business that we care deeply about. And frankly, we've not been doing a good enough job.

 

Some of you have expressed frustration with the customer experiences you have had with Xbox 360; frustration with having to return your console for service after receiving the general hardware error message on the console.

 

The majority of customers who own Xbox 360 consoles have had a terrific experience from their first day, and continue to, day in and day out. But when anyone questions the reliability of our product, or our commitment to our customers, it's something I take very seriously.

 

We have been following this issue closely, and with on-going testing have identified several factors that can cause a general hardware failure indicated by three flashing red lights on the console. To address this issue, and as part of our ongoing work, we have already made certain improvements to the console.

 

We are also implementing some important policy changes intended to keep you in the game, worry-free.

 

As of today, all Xbox 360 consoles are covered by an enhanced warranty program to address specifically the general hardware failures indicated by the three flashing red lights on the console. This applies to new and previously-sold consoles. While we will still have a general one year console warranty (two years in some countries), we are announcing today a three-year warranty that covers any console that displays a three flashing red lights error message. If a customer has an issue indicated by the three flashing red lights, Microsoft will repair the console free of charge?including shipping?for three years from the console?s purchase date. We will also retroactively reimburse any of you who paid for repairs related to problems indicated by this error message in the past. In doing so, Microsoft stands behind its products and takes responsibility to ensure that every Xbox 360 console owner continues to have a fantastic gaming experience.

 

If we have let any of you down in the experience you have had with your Xbox 360, we sincerely apologize. We are taking responsibility and are making these changes to ensure that every Xbox 360 owner continues to have a great experience.

 

This will take a few days to roll out globally, and I appreciate your continued patience as we launch this program. I've posted an FAQ that should address some additional questions, and we'll update it over the next few days.

 

I want to thank you, on behalf of all us at Microsoft, for your loyalty.

 

link

 

This move is costing Microsoft billions of dollars.

[Athens Badger]

A bit off topic, but when will the 360 make its first price drop. I'm hoping to get a new system, but can't pay the 400 for it.

[Schlitz001]

You'll probably have to wait a while longer for a price drop. At least until after Halo 3 and probably sometime next spring.

[pretendastronaut]

I'm glad to see them making this move, but I also read they budgeted 1 BILLION dollars this year to fix 360s with the ring of death. Wow.

 

As for the price drop, rumor is that the PS3 will be getting a price reduction as early as next week. If that happens, I'd expect to see a price reduction of the 360 soon too.

 

Edit: Oops, just noticed you also mentioned the billion dollars as well. But in case anyone missed it like I did I suppose.