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.

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madness
02/02/2008 07:41 PM

I went into an EB store today to buy Xbox 360 premium and was told that due to; quote"90% failure rate we are not stocking, this will probably not be fixed until March� unquote. My take on it is this, EB sell their own extended warranty � MS announce (in good faith) that on July 5th 2007 that; �The company said it will cover machines that experience such failures for up to three years from the date of purchase� see here: http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9740021-7.html?tag=txt So EB decides that all those juicy �extended� warranties they sold can now be covered by MS rather than their own insurance company (you don�t really think that EB have a bunch of qualified staff actually fixing the units do you?) They are all covered by an insurance company against failure..... End state:- Went into GAME got a good Deal on the Xbox, extra controller, HDMI and a battery charger.

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chalky2000
09/02/2008 12:34 AM

Well i have to say i work at an eb games store in australia, and what shane and other sales associates have said is true. Our christmas alotment sold out quicker than antisipated and now we are awaiting the next shipment, due in some time this month. >.> we cant sell consoles we dont have

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Macri
19/02/2008 09:35 AM

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.

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AxelStone
25/02/2008 11:03 PM

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.

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Fed Up
04/03/2008 08:58 PM

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 !

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Luke
06/03/2008 12:31 PM

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.

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billp78
24/03/2008 08:19 AM

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