Man returns gutted Xbox 360 for cash

by Justin McElroy { Nov 26th 2007 at 3:30PM }

We all know stealing is not only easy and fun, but it's also very cool. But did you know that sometimes, stealing can go too far? Take, for instance, this tale of an unassuming store clerk who opened up a returned 360 to find that the console had been gutted, the controllers were missing, and the HDMI cables had been replaced with printer cords.

Sure, we know what you're thinking, because we're thinking it too: That's very funny and not at all immoral. But where we have to draw the line is what was stuffed into the 360 to make it seem weighty enough: An old medical textbook. Gosh, otherwise-pretty-successful thief, don't you have any consideration? Stealing is fine, but shoving a giant hunk of flammable material into a console known for capturing the sun's heat and using it to play DVDs and eventually, inevitably die? That's just dangerous.

[Via CVG]

Tags: rrod, xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

playwhutyalike (toast is done) @ Nov 26th 2007 3:38PM

I returned my Wii the other day, except I replaced it with two Gamecubes duct-taped together.

Shagittarius @ Nov 26th 2007 3:39PM

You beat me to it man, and I bet no one noticed.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 26th 2007 3:44PM

Nice joke, ++ for you.

Jerk Face @ Nov 26th 2007 3:49PM

Yeah, that was really fucking funny. LOL

Fernando Rocker @ Nov 26th 2007 3:52PM

Indeed, it was funny =)

Slaziman @ Nov 26th 2007 3:54PM

LOL, +1

Gangsta Smurf @ Nov 26th 2007 4:29PM

ROFL!

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 26th 2007 4:45PM

I chuckled.

Obie @ Nov 26th 2007 5:05PM

Ok, that was damn funny (+1)
But seriously, the clerk has probably gotten so complacent with returned 360's, he didn't notice.
See, it's M$ not the "skilled clerk".

Aberu @ Nov 26th 2007 5:37PM

Shag gets -'ed for being shag apparently.

Kevin @ Nov 26th 2007 3:41PM

Next up: Man returns PS3 gutted to be a George Foreman grill.

FOXHOUND @ Nov 26th 2007 3:42PM

See, that would work... but if the grill had been used, I hope that the store rep would be wise enough to notice the smell of "Dr. Tran"-sponsored hickory smoked dickables.

Gangsta Smurf @ Nov 26th 2007 4:30PM

Another instant win. LOL

Obie @ Nov 26th 2007 5:11PM

Hahaha these comments = winsauce

Zertoss @ Nov 26th 2007 3:43PM

Gutted 360 gives retailer Red Face of Death.

LaughingTarget @ Nov 26th 2007 3:44PM

Maybe he needed to gut it to make back the cash buying that medical text. Those things are freaky expensive.

Roddie @ Nov 26th 2007 3:47PM

Funnily enough, I was thinking the same thing.

Jake @ Nov 26th 2007 4:25PM

Perhaps he could have stuffed it with something worth less than $100 resale, since he was only going for weight. Doesn't sound like he was very mart.

gonk @ Nov 26th 2007 4:37PM

maybe the book was out of date

i remember i tried selling an art book back after a quarter in college, but they switched to a new book for the next year's class so they wouldn't give me anything for mine, which cost over $100

textbooks are a huge racket

Patrick @ Nov 26th 2007 5:09PM

maybe the book was stolen too, there all over the place on campus

Fernando Rocker @ Nov 26th 2007 3:46PM

I only have done something similir one time: I burn a lot of DVD's at my work (around 100 DVD's or more in 5 days).

After a while, the burner gets slower... so I purchased a new game of the same brand (LG) and returned the old one.

I felt guilty later =(

Fernando Rocker @ Nov 26th 2007 3:48PM

a new *burner

Slaziman @ Nov 26th 2007 3:57PM

My Final Fantasy 7 disk was totally broken or something, was always crashing at a certain spot. So I bought a new copy, swapped the disks (they had no real visible physical damage) and went back to the store to say I didn't like it, and traded it in for a new game.

Did the same thing with Smash Bros Melee.

ShortFuse @ Nov 26th 2007 3:59PM

Well, cheap burners go for about $30 even at Circuit City/Best Buy and you bring it back in working (albeit not pristine condition).

But this is at least $250. And it's completely missing. It's not like you leave a piece of paper that says IOU on it.

Fernando Rocker @ Nov 26th 2007 4:04PM

It was like two years ago... an external burner... like $150 dlls.

ShortFuse @ Nov 26th 2007 4:07PM

Oh... well in that case, you're evil. :)

Jeff @ Nov 26th 2007 4:18PM

I've always been too lazy, but my mom, of all people, does crap like that all the time. I'm sure it's all been under warranty still... just her way of not having to deal with the needless BS to get stuff fixed.

The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Nov 26th 2007 5:13PM

you traded away super smash?!
shame on you

ThornedVenom @ Nov 26th 2007 3:56PM

God Bless American return policies.

Slaziman @ Nov 26th 2007 3:58PM

I call shenanigans, there are no white 360's with HDMI CABLES!

BUSTED

ShortFuse @ Nov 26th 2007 4:02PM

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/joystiq-holidaze-explaining-the-xbox-360-skus/
New Premium models come with HDMI port, but you're right they don't come with HDMI cables.
Justin, you can change "the HDMI cables had been replaced" with "the video cables had been replaced with printer cords."

Wonderflex @ Nov 26th 2007 4:03PM

Agreed

Chris @ Nov 26th 2007 5:19PM

Hey Favra, what's the name of that restaurant you always eat at?

Syko360 @ Nov 26th 2007 3:59PM

This is what happens when you are out of warranty and you don't want to pay the $140 for the repair....It's a brutal fact that these things are about as reliable as a $2 hooker telling you she's clean, but the damn thing is so much fun to play you keep coming back...Just like the Hooker.

Still this is pure genius, never separate a man from his machine. desperation sets in quickly.

ShortFuse @ Nov 26th 2007 4:05PM

I think Ludwig said it in the podcast. He caved and just bought another 360 instead of waiting so long for repair.

LilCo187 @ Nov 26th 2007 4:23PM

Something we need to know about, sir?

rockintom @ Nov 26th 2007 4:26PM

...I actually just did the same thing. Though I didn't have a warranty in the first place (bought it from a friend), it wasn't a red-ring so it wouldn't have been covered anyway. I figured i'd rather pay $300 for a new arcade than $150 for six weeks and a repaired old one.

...Plus, I think it might be possible to fix mine with a lot of work and soldering practice.

ryan @ Nov 26th 2007 4:00PM

more reason to show retailers should start checking what is returned before they actually give the person credit

Aberu @ Nov 26th 2007 5:41PM

Yes, before the person leaves the store, the retailer should not only open the box, but open up all the bags of cords, unscrew the x-box, look inside just incase there's a textbook in there. Very realistic post imo.

jynxycat @ Nov 26th 2007 7:10PM

Um, if you just lift the 360, or even the box, you would notice instantly that it was about 20 lbs lighter :P

Hell, if you can even open the damn box to begin with, no store should take it period. They have seals for a reason.

Chyld989 @ Nov 26th 2007 7:59PM

When I worked at FuncoLand we always hooked up the systems people traded in to make sure they worked before giving them anything. Took about 30 seconds, and it kept us from getting ripped off a few times. Maybe they should just start doing that again.

Martez @ Nov 26th 2007 4:02PM

Hilarious.

Tango Charlie @ Nov 26th 2007 4:06PM

At least it's quieter now.

Jim Halpert DM @ Nov 26th 2007 4:08PM

Here's a thought. Next time you get the red rings, go buy a new Xbox, switch the insides, and return. Too bad I'll never have to do that. I have a launch 360 and the only problem I've had is that stupid child account the crap. I'm in freaking college.

glutto @ Nov 26th 2007 4:20PM

Wait for it. It'll happen. It doesn't matter how well you dust it off, how many times you blow into the cartridge, etc, etc, yammer, yammer, it'll happen.

One day, all will be roses. The next, RROD!

JJ Rooster @ Nov 27th 2007 9:41AM

I have been tempted to do this, but I keep bringing my 360 back from RROD by cleaning and reapplying the thermal paste on the GPU.

Stef Geiger @ Nov 26th 2007 4:14PM

At least this 360 won't RROD on you.

NATO_Duke @ Nov 26th 2007 4:15PM

He didn't gut it - thats just a new sku.

I got one with a harry potter book stained with coffee in mine.

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Nov 26th 2007 4:16PM

Buyer/Seller beware all around. I've gotten screwed by used stuff I've purchased before from Gamestop. Now I check the damn things the instant I get home. Multiple bonus discs, scratches, etc are the least of it.

The only problem for the store is motivating the employee to even bother with a basic check. The only legal way I can think of off hand is firing.