• Games
• Stories
• EB Games deny pulling Xbox 360 from shelves down under

EB Games deny pulling Xbox 360 from shelves down under

By James Kozanecki on 01 February 2008

It hasn't even been a full month into the new year, and Microsoft are amidst new Xbox 360 rumours. Yesterday, Kotaku AU reported on a transcript sent to them that EB Games Australia were threatening to drop its entire Xbox 360 range. The reason claimed was that Microsoft were refusing to take back faulty consoles, leaving Australia's largest games retailer to deal with the problems in-house.

The transcript that Kotaku AU received stated that EB Games Australia currently had A$10 million worth of faulty Xbox 360s--which would equate to roughly 17,000 broken consoles.

EB Games Australia and New Zealand merchandising director Shane Stockwell has categorically denied the rumour, however. Stockwell told CNET.com.au's sister site GameSpot AU that shortages of 360 units in EB Games stores around the country had "nothing to do with defective issues whatsoever." "We've just sold all of our stock," he said.

When GameSpot AU visited stores around the Sydney CBD area, none of the stores had any Xbox 360 Premiums in stock. They did have Xbox 360 Elites available, however. Staff told us that they were expecting stock to arrive in early February, and that the shortage was not unexpected due to the post-Christmas sales.

Topics: eb, games, xbox, 360, microsoft, australia, stock, transcript, stores, faulty

• Nintendo dominates hardware sales down under in '07

• Logitech G25 Racing Wheel

• 

  darth revan commented on 29/05/2009 10:30 Report abuse

  I bought a halo 3 xbox 360 and it has ben a bout a year and it won't read any of my games. Its not the red rings its something else. So I decided to get a good old xbow 1 game and stores don't rent or sell xbox 1 games any more. I can't believe it there are some really good games for the box and now I can't find them anywhere.

• 

  butter beats commented on 25/04/2009 10:30 Report abuse

  yer my xbox stuffed up probs mid last year i had stickers on my xbox when i sent it to ms i recieved a totally diffrent xbox with no stickers did they send me back a faulty xbox. SOZ BOUT SPELLING

• 

  Gamer andy commented on 24/03/2009 11:50 Report abuse

  when my 360 failed I didn't go back to EB games i contacted MS directly and 3 weeks later i got my xbox back and i got it fixed for free with a brand new warranty.

• 

  jessamy commented on 17/12/2008 01:24 Report abuse

  Dear Sirs/Madams, I've written and attached a poem about Nintendo Wii that our local radio station has shown an interest in. I've been advised to send it to EB Games as it is quite cute. As you are aware, Nintendo Wii is definitely the hottest commodity this Christmas for children. My two week quest to acquire one inspired me to write a poem that is read to the rhythm of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.' It is quite cute. If you have any interest in using the poem, please let me know and we can discuss it further. Enjoy! Nintendo Wii Waitin’ in line at the Wal-Mart Store, My head was achin' and my feet were sore, I was determined not to quit, So, I then decided to use my wit. I pushed and I shoved and came first in line, Aggression pays off almost every time, I waited and waited til two hours went by, They said, 'NO WII'S' and I started to cry. Off to my truck I limped along, Believe you me, I wasn't singin' a song. When what to my wonderin’ mind did appear, Christmas ain't here yet, have no fear. About to give up, I decided to call, E B Games at MicMac Mall, Wii's they did have, but a line up too, They said, 'sorry, we can't hold one for you.' They suggested I call their store in the park, They also said, 'don't wait til dark, The games do come, but the screamin’ mothers too,' I said, 'they don't have aggression, like I do.' On the phone they said, 'yes we have wii's,' How fast can you get here, don't wait til three.' I begged his sweet voice to hold just one, He said, 'I'll lose my job and that won’t be fun.' 'Please,' I said, 'my feet are sore, Please' I said, 'I can't take anymore. Please' I said, 'I've got bakin' to do,' 'Please' he said, 'don't tell what I did for you.' Young men like him at E B Games, Make me believe in Christmas again, Cause in my hand for a large fee, I walked out of his store, holdin' a wii. Merry Christmas to All! Glad Burnie-Simmons 902-860-1300

• 

  Best B4: commented on 17/06/2008 19:49 Report abuse

  does anyone hav the phone number of the australian EB games head office??

• 

  billp78 commented on 24/03/2008 08:19 Report abuse

  i have bought two xbox 360s both of them are brocken microsort refuse to give me new consoles dont buy x box 360s if u are thinking should i get a xbox or ps3 go ps3 .......... not happy microsoft

• 

  Luke commented on 06/03/2008 12:31 Report abuse

  I agree with fed up, I contacted EB games 2 months ago regarding a failed Xbox 360. They claimed they were out of stock and I would have to wait until they got stock in so that I could get a NEW replacement. That was until last week where they finally said "Oh two weeks ago our agreement with Microsoft has changed and as such we can now only offer you a second hand equipment" When I mentioned the legalities of this and the fact they had changed their legal agreement and that I had received a new machine prior to my LAST machine that faulted after a month they said "Oh well you know in our form it only says we will replace it, we didn’t say what with". So there in lies my dilemma. They have refused to do anything but give me a useless broken one or refund my warranty and let me go off to Microsoft… I can guarantee that I will never be buying another console of any type from EB Games. I may not even shop their full stop. I have received no reply from my letter to their HO and as such my local store has been totally useless.

• 

  Fed Up commented on 04/03/2008 20:58 Report abuse

  I am in what is likely going to turn into a long running annoyance with EBAY games which will result in me NOT spending any of my hard earned money with them in the future. 1. The extended warranty is useless. 3 weeks ago they withdrew their option of replacement with a new machine if something happens. My machine (not RRoD) failed at christmas after 2 years. It is now March and that is how long I have been waiting for them to do something. Oh they did call me in twice and offered me beat up machines (one of the 14000 that are in a warehouse somewhere according to the Manager). Yes he told me that. 2. They told me that if they had of had one 3 weeks ago, the 2nd visit and the 2nd refusal of another beat up machine, they would have replaced it with a new one. But not now, head office says not allowed to, Microsoft won't take the machines back, take this old beat up machine, who cares what it looks like! 3. So next step can I keep my machine because I know where it has been and what has happened to it. Nope can't track them when they get to the warehouse. Well there is 14000 of them lol. 4. You can have your extended warranty refunded and bugger off. Pity anyone else who has an extended warranty not worth the money you paid for it , they have to get rid of the 14000 consoles in the warehouse first lol. I am still waiting for my complaint in writing to be addressed by head office. Won't hold my breath. I will also be making consumer affairs aware that ebay games are expecting their customers to accept replacements when things go wrong that, used to belong to someone else (you won't have the same serial number I am thinking), could be older than yours (shouldn't matter hey you still have the extended warranty - <grin>) Did anyone see the current affairs report on game consoles where that guy stated he was on his 4th xbox because they all failed, all courtsey of EBAY games! They must fix them real well !

• 

  AxelStone commented on 25/02/2008 23:03 Report abuse

  Hey chalky2000 you **** maybe you could explain to me why you are forcing us to pay almost $150 more than what the 360 is worth to buy it? Yeah people check out what they cost in the states and then do the conversion, you will be unpleasantly surprised.

• 

  Macri commented on 19/02/2008 09:35 Report abuse

  I called up MS this year in Jan (missing Media remote in my Xbox 'Holiday' bundle). I asked about the extended warranty, I was told the unit came with 12 months warranty covering all parts, after the 12 months, I had an additional 12 months ONLY on the RRoD, any other faults would not be covered under that last 12 months.