Microsoft extends 360 warranty to 1 year
Microsoft announced today that the 360's 90 day warranty in the US and Canada has been officially expanded to an entire year. Even better, Microsoft has stated that the new warranty is retroactive, and all customers who were forced to pay for repairs out-of-warranty will be reimbursed. Reimbursements are to be automatically distributed and no action is required on the end of the customer. Reimbursement checks should be distributed within 10 weeks. It wasn't that long ago that Microsoft offered free repairs to owners of consoles that were manufactured in 2005, and we think this new warranty extension is a great move on Microsoft's part. Sure, it seems generous, but a 1 year warranty will also make prospective buyers much more comfortable when deciding to plunk down $400. It's probably not a coincidence that the new warranty now matches the PS3's warranty either.
How many of our readers are expecting a check from MS?
Full press release after the break.
Microsoft Extends Xbox 360 Warranty to One Year
Shoppers can buy with added confidence this holiday season as Microsoft expands its warranty for Xbox 360 from 90 days to one year.
REDMOND, Wash. - Dec. 22, 2006 - In a move to benefit customers, Microsoft Corp. announced today that it will change the Xbox 360™ warranty from 90 days to one year from the date of purchase in the United States and Canada. Microsoft extended the warranty in these territories to be consistent with the standard one-year Xbox 360 warranty that is available throughout most of the world. The news is reason to celebrate this holiday season; it applies to both would-be purchasers and those who already have Xbox 360 and are still within their first year of ownership.
Effective today, the one-year warranty is now the standard for the Xbox 360 console. Customers who experience hardware issues with their Xbox 360 within one year of purchase can have their consoles repaired at no cost. Moreover, the new warranty policy is retroactive, so consumers who may have already paid for an out-of-warranty Xbox 360 repair within one year of purchase will be eligible for reimbursement of their console repair charges.
"Customer satisfaction is a central focus and priority for the Xbox 360 system," said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "In addition to jaw-dropping features such as high-definition graphics, an amazing catalog of over 160 games, and social online and entertainment experiences on Xbox Live ®, the Xbox 360 system now offers this extended warranty upgrade. It is truly the industry's most compelling home entertainment offering."
Customers who have already paid out-of-warranty repair charges within their first year of ownership can expect reimbursement checks for the amount of their console repair in approximately 10 weeks. Reimbursements will be automatically distributed, so customers need not contact Microsoft. Customers who have questions regarding this policy change or experience any hardware issues should visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aaron @ Dec 22nd 2006 10:35AM
This is pretty decent of Microsoft actually - Do you guys know how long the warranty period it is in the U.K?
Also, I know this isn't a discussions area, sorry, but how many revisions of the 360 have there been since launch now?
johnny2678 @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:04AM
So what if I just bought a one year warranty from MicroCenter just 3 weeks ago? Can you return an extended warranty?
JRock3x8 - 2o2p @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:27AM
how many problems have sony owners had? not that there are any, but seriously, we just haven't heard many stories about ps3's malfunctioning.
Edwin DeJesus @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:34AM
Yes, you can always return extended warranties. If you return the warranty in the normal window of returns, they will refund 100%. In some cases, if you return the warranty outside the return period, they can refund a portion.
Josh @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:39AM
On the AVS Forums, there are people who have had their PS3s die or were DOA. One wouldn't accept discs anymore. One was bricked by an update. One just wouldn't start up anymore.
Dave @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:46AM
Sure wish I had known that before I plunked down $60 to replace the power brick instead of the $150 Microsoft wanted for its repair fee.
h0tr0d cO @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:47AM
HOORAY!!! Fanboys of the world unite and rejoice, MS really does love us!
Layla @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:53AM
Yeay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 140$ I can now spend on a DS :P (Please honey, pretty please!!!)
Scott @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:55AM
Well, this makes me very happy. I had an Xbox 360 break on me two weeks ago. I bought it in April, so it was out of the 90 day warranty. I paid the $140 and sent it in. So, hopefully I should be seeing the reimbursement check soon. Does anyone know where you can go check your warranty status??
JRock3x8 - 2o2p @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:03PM
you know, there's something that's still not clear here...
earlier they announced they would fix all 2005 manufactured consoles - does that promise expire at the end of this year?
also, if you got a replacement does the warranty clock start over again?
I hope everyone knows that MS offers ext warranty service for $30 a year. I just want to know what coverage I have under my purchase.
Layla @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:06PM
"Customers who have questions regarding this policy change or experience any hardware issues should visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/contact where they can check their warranty status," ... I went there, but it looks like we're gonna have to call them (or email).
Tony @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:16PM
I've not had any problems, but this is nice anyway. It means I still have a few months in my warranty :)
SuicideNinja @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:30PM
"how many problems have sony owners had? not that there are any, but seriously, we just haven't heard many stories about ps3's malfunctioning."
There aren't enough PS3's out there to see noticeable problems yet.
I've seen a couple on the 'net, one of which had a bad slot loader and the other just flashed a red light and didn't boot.
Some Wii's have error messages and slot loading problems as well.
Electronics = risk of not working nowadays I guess.
Kudos for Microsoft on taking resposibility and matching their competitors (again). Now my room mate can get his 360 fixed.
Johnny @ Dec 22nd 2006 1:14PM
In the UK its law that all electrical products come with a 1 year warranty.
BrianP @ Dec 22nd 2006 2:11PM
I purchased Microsoft's $50 extended warranty primarily to cover the first year. Now the warranty is effectively only about 60% of the value -- 12 months instead of 21. We should get an additional 9 months, if not a full 12.
chris @ Dec 22nd 2006 3:07PM
why even bring up sony ??? anyway i will be waiting for my check in the mail :)
Joshua Poncil @ Dec 22nd 2006 3:41PM
I this a dream! My xbox 360 is broken and now I can get it fixed for free. THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!
xXWernstarXx @ Dec 22nd 2006 6:08PM
That is great news, gives me a LOT of peace of mind. The 3 month warranty has always been pretty weak, great fix.
Jeffrey Morgan @ Dec 22nd 2006 7:41PM
I just called Microsoft back to finally get my bricked console repaired. They told me that after it is repaired or replaced, the warranty goes back to 90 days from the time it is repaired (not the remainder of the year from purchase, and certainly not a year after the repair).
Miko @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:04PM
This is why I bought my 360 from costco...if it breaks in 3 years take it back and get a new one. Hope by then the 360 has a built in HD DVD drive.
slacker @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:29PM
The should've been their original warranty. I broke my seal when my 360 broke. so I guess this wont apply to me. In my opinion, MS has horible customer service.
DjDATZ @ Dec 27th 2006 9:54AM
YES!! that means i'll be getting a cheque for $160 CDN. :D woohoo! (well lets hope they charge it back to my credit card...cuz i need the money on THERE. lol)
as far as i know...after you get your console replaced...the warranty gets reset...which would have meant back to 90 days...but im guessing now it should be the full year.
JRock3x8 - 2o2p @ Dec 29th 2006 5:02PM
"19. I just called Microsoft back to finally get my bricked console repaired. They told me that after it is repaired or replaced, the warranty goes back to 90 days from the time it is repaired (not the remainder of the year from purchase, and certainly not a year after the repair)."
Wow - that is REALLY bizarre because they told me the EXACT opposite last weekend. I called to buy an extended warranty and they told me I didn't need to and that my warranty coverage was good until 1 year from the time I reported my 360 broken.
Also, they said MS is mailing out confirmations of everyone's status so watch your mail.