UK repair service Micromart refuses Xbox 360

124 Comments by Alexander Sliwinski Jun 29th 2007 12:15PM
Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

UK repair service Micromart is refusing to service any more Xbox 360s due to a "base manufacturing problem that potentially affects all 360s" they tell Joystiq. Before they stopped repairing Xbox 360s, which they are not an authorized repair center for, they were getting in "around 30 a week." Customers who are looking for the quick service of Micromart are suggested to "contact Microsoft for a motherboard replacement" as it's the only guaranteed fix according to Micromart.

Jeff Croft of Micromart says, "We saw it over a period of several months and it was just getting worse. It began towards the end of last year. Once the twelve month warranty finished then we started to see more and more machines being sent in to be looked at ... The problem with three red lights was there fairly regularly, but over two or three months it became a real issue." Croft goes on to say that even after the repairs that Micromart had done they were not happy with the result. They believe it is a problem with the motherboard and weren't comfortable charging customers for labor on a product for a problem they believed wasn't going to go away. Croft sent a letter to Microsoft with their concerns, but says they've received no response.

[Thanks, ktchong, CR, Jem]

Read - Micromart homepage
Read - Repair Firm Won't Service Ring of Death 360s (Next-Gen)
Read - Repair Specialist Refuses to Take Further Xbox 360s (GI.biz)

Tags: failure, red ring of death, rrod, xbox 360

(Page 1) Reader Comments

CowboyGA: Jun 29th 2007; 12:22PM

::giggles::

Here it comes. Another 150-post thread.

Anonim: Jun 29th 2007; 12:23PM

Oh god!
30 for a whole week?!!!
4 daily?!!!

And what about those HORROR stories about 2,500 faulty X360 DAILY?!
By hero of all detectives Lee Sherman?

don.wright: Jun 29th 2007; 12:24PM

Oh joy! Flame Wars galore!

Virtua Fanboy: Jun 29th 2007; 12:25PM

I never thought that the Red Ring of Death was a big of deal as people make it to be. Til I sat down and grabed the remote and turned it on after a long ass 15 hour day at work and boom three red lights. I'd never know of anyone in person having them, and then boom my friends did the same fucking thing! It's really a turn off. My Xbox is 2 mo out of warranty so it's gonna cost me $139 to fix it. It's just bullshit. I didn't spend all this fucking money for one years worth of entertainment. Anyway, I now know for a fact that the failure rate is bigger than MS is letting on.

Jouten: Jun 29th 2007; 12:25PM

Oh boy! Flame Wars galore!

Virtua Fanboy: Jun 29th 2007; 12:26PM

Yay, I got to post the first sob story. :)

JodyAnthony: Jun 29th 2007; 12:27PM

Oh Henry! Flame Wars galore!

Fernando Rocker: Jun 29th 2007; 12:28PM

In my opinion, Nintendo is the one that offers the most high quality hardware... it never fails... my Nes, Super Nes, and even the brick Gameboy still work like new.

polly: Jun 29th 2007; 12:30PM

The failure rate: 0% until it actually happens to you...then it might as well be 100%.

tryton: Jun 29th 2007; 12:31PM

thats why I sold mine, I has been starting to freeze up on demo's and other games.. Not all the time but just enough to get me to cut my losses and try to get some $ back from a defective product..

deaftly: Jun 29th 2007; 12:33PM

@Fernando

ive had my gamecube, gba sp, ds fat and ds lite break on me and i had to send them to nintendo to get fixed, and there are reports of the video card in the wii crapping out, my ps2 drive died also, crazy enough my xbox1 and 360 both work great and ive never had a prob with any sega system.

Verve: Jun 29th 2007; 12:38PM

Yeah, my 360 broke 2 days ago and I am waiting on Microsoft to send me my shipping box. It cost me $140 and this was bought on launch day. My cousins ironically broke (3 red lights also) the day before mine, and his brothers broke 3 months before both of ours. All, unfortunately out of warranty repairs. Before you flame me, I own all 3 current/next gen systems and I love ALL OF THEM. A few handhelds get the extra TLC in my house though.

arrrgh: Jun 29th 2007; 12:39PM

deaftly, you seem to have a lot of hardware problems...maybe it's the usage?

Drz190: Jun 29th 2007; 12:39PM

@8

While I agree with you for the most part that Nintendo generally produces top notch hardware, the NES was FAR from reliable. Horrible system hardware wise. Thankfully that was fixed come the SNES.

JodyAnthony: Jun 29th 2007; 12:40PM

the only consoles Ive ever had break on me were my wii and my genesis

deaftly: Jun 29th 2007; 12:41PM

@13 dunno, all mass made electronics always have that chance, i do play my 360 everyday pretty much, had it since feb of last year, i guess my days are counting down

Kye: Jun 29th 2007; 12:42PM

Oh No! Flame Wars galore!

All these horror stories are really discouraging me from getting a 360 now. But... Halo 3. :(

By the way.

NDF ASSEMBLE!

you know, just incase.

JodyAnthony: Jun 29th 2007; 12:44PM

I'm starting the sandwich defense force. We are going to call it the SDF to confuse people.

RTYPE1124: Jun 29th 2007; 12:44PM

@8

Hey Fernando, Miyamoto called and wants to know if your still sore.

JodyAnthony: Jun 29th 2007; 12:47PM

hey RTYPE1124, your uncle called. he wants to know if you're still sore.

Verve: Jun 29th 2007; 12:48PM

@17

The 360 is a great system with great games. I played mine all everyday, online/offline. Though, Microsoft needs to address the manufacturing/engineering quality of this current machine. Believe it or not my original xbox still runs perfectly (also bought on launch day 2001). The wife and our friends love Karaoke Revolution Party, and that is unfortunately not backwards compatible with the 360.

Player1: Jun 29th 2007; 12:49PM

MicroSoft really needs to fix the source of the problem and not just put duct tape on it. Is it really saving them money to have a product that has a reputation for failing and that they are constantly repairing? Do the out of warrranty repairs make up for the cost of the in-warranty repairs? What about all the people who won't buy one because of this issue.

This is the only real flaw with the console, but it's a huge one. I mean, if the failure rate is really only 3%-5%, then why not extend the warranty to two years, or even longer?

I know their sales numbers are skewed too. I've technically bought three consoles due to product replacement plans.

Kye: Jun 29th 2007; 12:49PM

Maybe it's just me, but none of my consoles have ever crapped up on me.
List: po = previously owned

Dreamcast po
Wii new
PS1 po
Xbox new
N64 po
SNES po
N64 new (first one that got stolen)
DS Phat new
GameCube new

Saying that the 360 will probably die the day I get it.

360's seem to be designed with failure in mind. Why else would they have a system sedigned to tell you your fucked? Microsoft could have just done a Sony PS2 and denied it's happening.

nimby: Jun 29th 2007; 12:51PM

Okay I saw that Nintendo is perfect already posted. I have owned a Wii for three months, and played for about 20 hours all together. Two weeks ago it froze playing Paper MArio. It wasn't hot, or in a weird place. In fact my gamecube, and ps1 (yeah thats right that thing is 8 years old) are both in the same spot and they have had nothing go wrong. machines just mess up. Does this appear to be a real concern and not just some fanboyism with the 360? Maybe. We are asking these machines to work so hard for us, and to do it sometimes for hours at a time.

You know it is funny, I would still take any console over a high end PC anyday. it costs less and still freezes less. For me anyway. You are free to disagree of course, but most hardcore players have sat in front of a $3000 PC and still watched it freeze up due to some stupid compatibility issue.

DBX00: Jun 29th 2007; 12:54PM

The reliability of the other consoles are irrelevant. Microsoft should have fixed this problem by now and should offer a replacement for the ones that are broken as a result of faulty hardware. It's that simple; it's the equivalent of a small recall but it would build consumer confidence. Instead, they've decided to provide you with hardware that will last long enough for you to buy a bunch of games and proprietary accessories, which makes switching that much more difficult once it breaks on Day 367.

Fernando Rocker: Jun 29th 2007; 12:54PM

@RTYPE1124

I don't know what sore means =(

My english is limited.

copa: Jun 29th 2007; 12:55PM

OK, Microsoft, if the customers affected by these hardware failures are a 'vocal minority' as you claim...

Release the failure rates.

If the problem is user neglect, as you have implied, then the rates should be in line with other consoles (probably lower than the Wii, which skews younger). So put it all to rest and...

Release the failure rates.

This is what pisses me off. Microsoft has no problem taking postshots at users that have been victimized by production problems, and their scam McAllen, TX, 'refurb' operation. But when anyone asks them to produce the simple numbers that could back up these attacks, they run into an undisclosed location faster than Dick Cheney.

Your early adoption base doesn't deserve to be treated this way, Microsoft. God help us if they ever secure a de facto monopoloy on the console market.

Kye: Jun 29th 2007; 12:55PM

@ Verve #21

Backwards compatibility is another thing. If these High Def systems are so powerful why can't they run an old game?

The Wii can run original NEs games so don't anyone tell me it's too much of a graphics drop. It can even run 20 yr old games from other consoles so really, what's MS's excuse?

TWiNKiE: Jun 29th 2007; 12:55PM

All my Nintendo products work, except for my Gamecube (my carelessness broke it). Thankfully the Wii is fully backward compatible. my ps1 and ps2 broke on me. my free xbox had instant red lights (thats why it was free)

Verve: Jun 29th 2007; 12:56PM

@Fernando

He means you are red and raw around your anus/butt area ;)

softgun: Jun 29th 2007; 12:58PM

This story still won't be a solid enough bug repellent for the swarm of Microsoft Defense Bees. They'll just sting/attack/swiftboat Micromart, for Denial is the Queen of the MDF. Oh, hark

Kye: Jun 29th 2007; 12:59PM

Copa #27 you just reminded me of windows Vista.

Jody good idea with the SDF.

Verve: Jun 29th 2007; 1:00PM

@Kye
I totally agree with you. But the problem with 360 compatibility lies in the graphics chip. Nvidia did the original xbox's and ATI did the 360's. Therein lies the problem. Microsoft doesnt want to shell out the time or money, converting those old games to the new chip. And for the two people that bought a game like sneakers for the xbox. Who would blame them (I dont know if that is non-compatible, but damn that would be funny if it was and metal gear substance isnt. ;)

softgun: Jun 29th 2007; 1:03PM

MDF: OMG thees MicroMart guyz are NoOB iddiotz! THey muSt Be wrappIng tha 360's in BlanKEts and rePAirinG them whiLe their in the OveN!!one

JodyAnthony: Jun 29th 2007; 1:03PM

SDF ASSEMBLE!

TUNA SALAD WITH CHEDDAR!

Tesaco-Lakaka: Jun 29th 2007; 1:04PM

You see console gamers that`s why we expend on a 8800GTX that way we dont have to deal with all those console issues....

JodyAnthony: Jun 29th 2007; 1:06PM

you see Tesaco-Lakaka nobody cares no matter how many threads you post about your video card in.

whosmav: Jun 29th 2007; 1:06PM

The 360 problem is apparently epidemic, but is it hurting sales?

Verve: Jun 29th 2007; 1:08PM

@37

LOL. But as a wise man/ass once said "Cant we just all get along?" -Sir Rodney King/Dubya

Verve: Jun 29th 2007; 1:11PM

hehe "Cant we ALL JUST get along?!"

B. Gates: Jun 29th 2007; 1:13PM

XROT 360 is arsome. wut problems?

u guys R just a bunch of pswii fanboys...

tym to go play XBOX Vile

Joshua: Jun 29th 2007; 1:14PM

Yes I have had friends who have had to send in their 360's for repair. Yes mine locked up a few times before but that was during the three weeks I used the Nyko Intercooler. I've not had a problem with my 360 since that time.

I also own a Wii. It sits out in the open on it's own shelf. It locks up at least once a week. It's never hot so it isn't a cooling issue, and it isn't the game discs as I get lockup on some channels from time to time as well.

That being said, everyday I turn on my 360 and get to play for that day I can't help but think that I am one day closer to it finally failing. I have no faith in the product. Fans are losing faith in the product. Admit the situation is an issue and work to fix it before the fans walk off to find a new product. If my 360 craps out after 15 months I shouldn't pay for the repair unless I did something to cause it. This isn't a disposable product, it's time for Microsoft to understand that.

Jody'sDaddy: Jun 29th 2007; 1:16PM

@ JodyAnthony

I'm calling to find out if your still sore.

You fail the Internets!

JodyAnthony: Jun 29th 2007; 1:17PM

When I got my wii back from nintendo after the overheating thing messed up my graphics card, they gave me a brand new wii and another 1 year warranty. That was pretty sweet.

JodyAnthony: Jun 29th 2007; 1:18PM

haha, jokes on you, my dad ran out on my family when I was 2.

x876543: Jun 29th 2007; 1:18PM

@ softgun

BWAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!!

On topic:
I really would like to know the defect rate. This is the very main reason I haven't got one. Everyone I know that got a xbox360 has had to send it in for repairs to Microsoft.

EdZ: Jun 29th 2007; 1:18PM

Remember that emulating a NES and emulating a PS2 are two completely different animals. One can be performed easily by handheld devices (heck ,even phones can do it!) and the other still has difficulty running smoothly on big beefy dual-core gaming monstrosities.

Also, you might want to pick a name other than SDF, or you'll get confused with Macross fans.

FAZER`: Jun 29th 2007; 1:19PM

I was going to buy one a couple of weeks ago, but now I am scared. Im either going to wait it out or buy a PS3. I really want a 360 so I hope they fix the issue.

Ballmer: Jun 29th 2007; 1:22PM

You guys out to stop crying about your broken systems.

You bought the system knowing it has a limited warranty. If it breaks after that time, it's on you and not on Microsoft. It's clearly stated in the instruction manual.

So stop bitching and fork over the repair money. Otherwise, go cry to someone who cares.

Hikaru: Jun 29th 2007; 1:23PM

Tesaco-Lakaka, what's up with that name? Some ppl speak more languages than English and it sounds disgusting...but hey, if you like "taking out shite" I don't mind...
On topic, I'm on my 4th 360 and never had the RRoD, each one had different things like freezing or not powering up at all.

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