Gamestation
I love Gamestation!! In February 2007 I bought an Xbox 360 from Gamestation. I got an awesome deal on it after I traded in a few xbox original games. I even traded in the bundled games that came as part of the package at a top price. In March 2008 I spotted a free game in the Xbox Live Arcade called TotemBall, it was free so I downloaded it. After about 10 minutes of playing I noticed that the xbox started acting a little strange, freezing up and generally running slow. Then it happened. I reset the box after it froze again and when it came back on the green lights decided they would look better red. In the gaming community this is called the Ring Of Death (RoD). After a few phonecalls and an online repair request with Microsoft they sent some nice chap from UPS to pick up my very expensive brick. 2 weeks later it was returned all working albeit a little noisier.
Then on the 16th of September my Xbox once again changed it’s lovely green lights to evil red ones. I contacted Microsoft to check if my warranty had been extended as they had promised and after they confirmed it had been, I once again requested a cardboard coffin to be sent so the techy bod’s at Redmond could fix my Xbox.
At this point I should back up and tell you about an E-mail conversation I had with someone at Gamestation.
—–Original Message—–
From: Rob Adams [mailto:xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxxx]
Sent: 02 March 2008 22:46
To: Web Enquiries
Subject: General EnquiryA user has made an enquiry :
Name: Rob Adams
Email: xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
Enquiry: Hi,Last February I purchased an xbox 360 from your Shrewsbury store and 2
weeks ago it suffered a hardware failure. I sent the xbox back to
microsoft for repair and I’m currently awaiting it’s return. I have
been told that my version of xbox was prone to the same fault but has
since been rectified with the newer machines. Even though the machine
is outside it’s original store warranty would I still be entitled to
exchange it for an updated model when it is returned.Thanks
Rob
On 05/03/2008, Customer Service wrote:
Hi Rob
Thank you for your email. Gamestations faulty returns policy dictates
that if an item develops a fault within a reasonable period of time from
the date of purchase, Gamestation will offer to replace, refund or
repair the item. This does not apply to faults caused through misuse. If
a fault occurs after a reasonable period of time, Gamestation may offer
to replace or repair the item at its discretion.Kind regards
________________________________Jody Jones – Operations Support Assistant
Tel.: 0845 365 1275 (ext. 251)
Fax: 01904 692225gamestation | 10 – 12 Stirling Park | Amy Johnson Way | Clifton Moor |
York | YO30 4WUFrom: Rob [mailto:xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx]
Sent: 05 March 2008 19:33
To: Customer Service
Subject: Re: General EnquiryHello,
Thanks for your quick response.
The Xbox 360 was not ever missued or even over used, I used it for 2-3 hours at any given time about 3 times a week and it lived in a well ventilated area of my living room. Could you please confirm what a “reasonable period of time”
Thanks in advance.
Rob
On 06/03/2008, Customer Service wrote:
Hi Rob
A reasonable period of time varies from product to product and every case is dealt with on it individual basis, therefore if the machine goes faulty again visit the store with your receipt and the console and providing it is in line with out returns policies you will be able to exchange this for another machine.
Kind regards
Jody Jones – Operations Support Assistant
Tel.: 0845 365 1275 (ext. 251)
Fax: 01904 692225gamestation | 10 – 12 Stirling Park | Amy Johnson Way | Clifton Moor | York | YO30 4WU
As you can see Gamestation were very helpful but I had trusted Microsoft would return my machine fully repaired and it would last me until they released a new console. On a whim I called Gamestation customer services who advised me to return my Xbox to Microsoft as they would not be able to do anything as the console was outside it’s warranty. I was unhappy with this as an explaination, Microsoft had extended the consoles warranty surely the store would have to honour it? I jumped on the phone again, but this time called the store and spoke to the manager, I explained my problem and he didn’t hesitate to say that I could bring my old console back and he would replace it.
I packed up my broken Xbox and looked for the receipt but it was nowhere to be found, so I dug out the bank statement showing the transaction (funny how I keep bank statements but not receipts) and took my console back to the store. I handed the manager the box and bank statement and waited for the words “Sorry no receipt no exchange” but my luck was in as he reached for a brand new console and dumped my old one behind the counter. I was over the moon with as I had inherited a brand new console, a fistful of arcade games, a rather pointless 256mb memory unit (I have a hard drive) and a spangly new wireless controller. He didn’t even check the old Xbox was in the box he just handed me a new one wished me well and we were on our way.
I did decide to make an informed purchase while I was there and bought Gamestations own 2 year console warranty for a fandabadosey price of £23.99.
Link Dump:
Links to various sites mentioned in this blog.Red Ring Of Death
Xbox
Microsoft
Xbox Extended Warranty
Totem Ball
Gamestation
UPS
Festival Countdown