Slight edit. I found my confirmation of NO ARREARS WHATSOEVER letter. The girl who dealt with my case was a Lynsay McNally of Executive complaints. I have just got off the phone after speaking to her. Again not a very clear image of whats going on but supposedly they state that Swalec is actually owed money. She stated they are sending a cheque to me and I will probably have to forward that money to Swalec. I then reminded her about the previous issues and if Swalec have the usage of more than the £600 then they will want that off me too. She has categorically stated I will pay nothing more. At minimum I will have to forward the money I received from the NPower cheque BUY Any difference between that and what Swalec want NPower will obviously foot the bill. (A) This is their error not mine, why should I have to accept a cheque from them and deal with it myself. Any errors are between them and Swalec. I have no property of my own, paid the correct billing company and have no more dealings with any electric or gas provider. (B) What a Mickey Mouse letter with no specifics on what the letters about. Staff who seem to adlib and make things up on the spot. Thats how the other lady spoke not Lindsay. I read another complaint elsewhere on the net where someone said something identical RE NPower making up excuses over the phone. © I moved out almost a year ago (March 2009), my complaints from their records have been ongoing since my original upped bill (Aug - Oct 2008.) Looks like their company really doesn't know what its doing. I would say that the executive complaints department are the easiest and friendliest dept to talk to although the same cant be said for lots of other areas of the company. They seemed like they knew their stuff at Executive complaints but now I'm even doubting that. OH YEAH. USEFUL PHONE NUMBER. Some search on the net had people struggling for a number for executive complaints. Here is the number I used to call Lynsay today. 0845 073 0861 I have her extension but its unfair to post that. Anyone with MAJOR issues or getting no luck might want to speak to a member of their executive complaints dept. PS. Lynsay has confirmed the cheque is already coming my way but she was going to call Swalec straight after my call. She also confirmed she will be in regular contact via phone regarding the matter. I'll come back and update where necessary. Cheers Albino

An amusing update. Its been a while. I couldn't be bothered to read over my own posts and the discussions I had with various members back at the time. I have come back due to a letter from NPower after things had supposedly been resolved although I forgot to update yourselves on the supposedly "original outcome". Right. Since I last spoke here I sorted the complaint. Numerous letters from arrears companies that NPower stopped and restarted numerous times. Due to all my hassle, unwarranted letters even though a complaint was in progress, NPower agreed that due to the poor customer service they would scrap any "supposed" monies owed. Phew. Thats over I thought. A year or more after my complaint was logged and I'm still living back with the parents. ANYWAY. I got a letter the other day with no specifics on. From NPower stating "they are still looking into matters for me". I ring them and they state theres a £600 credit on the account which is due to be refunded to me via cheque. I said "there must be some mistake". I spoke to complaints and their response was. NPower never actually supplied the Electricity or Gas to my flat. Therefore I shouldn't have paid them at all!!!!!!! Thats why the refund. They made up some wishy washy story about the serial number on meter. My meter was the ONLY one on bill. The rest were meters (or so I remember). Their advice = Cash the cheque. Dont bother mentioning to anyone else. HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL. This was after I mentioned "If you didn't take it will I owe someone else". When they told me to cash the cheque and effectively forget about it I explained "Thats not the way I work and isn't a very professional stance" which they came flustered by. I made sure I called the number from their website rather than on the letter in case it was a [problem]. They said they would ring British Gas for me on my behalf and get back to me. They get back to me saying. Sorry you probably will owe British Gas for the money. Same rather unhelpful and unknowledgable lady so I made my excuses to get off the phone. I rang British Gas and Swalec (She mentioned Swalec, Swalec provide gas and elec in that area (Wales) and also I think from memory that letters for an ex-resident from Swalec were there when i moved in so they could have been the previous supplier. Anyway. Swalec. The customer service agent had no record of me or my name nor Swalec having any involvement in the flat since 2006 (Before I moved in). Oddly enough that guy mentioned his own house is supplied by NPower and him and his housemates have an ongoing complaint with them for 7 months now. I speak to British Gas who, even if they are not the supplier of the Gas bill they still supply the physical gas. Again they had no record of me or any bill dealings in that flat since 2006. They could go a step further and confirm that the billing company from the date I moved in for both Gas and Electric was NPower. My parents have said cash the cheque but dont spend it (Still got to turn up in the post yet). However I'm going to get onto NPower again I'm afraid. They really are the worst company I've ever come across. Lol Its a joke!

Thanks for your reply MG123 No apologies needed for a picky post and to be quite honest you've absolutely "hit the nail on the head". After calling consumer direct last night and telling them the details they believe I have been hugely underpaying in all that time. I put my hands up for my ignorance on how much these utility bills should have cost as it was my first experience of having to pay them. BUT It still stands that NPower have hugely messed up. Consumer Direct have given me a reference number and have said I should start, as confirmed by Npower, by sending a letter of complaint outlining all my issues. Things to my benefit are as follows. (A) The intial quote they gave was hugely inaccurate. Both missleading my understanding for the future as I paid well more than that anyway. (B) In 3 years of living there they have not once done a meter reading which was confirmed by a manager at NPower. © They sent me a letter confirming premium increase was due to costs going up and have not sent me a written letter about arrears (EVER), apart from the one when I stopped the DD. (In relation to that. I lived their until about March 1st give or take a day or 2) called a day later to cancel, they said they would send final bill, my bills were taken 1st of each month, I got the bill stating £250 on the 18th of March, at that point I stopped the DD so it did not clear) (D) When speaking to them about the increase in Sept 08 I was then told verbally it was arrears and the member of staff confirmed I had around £300 - £400 arrears equating to around 3 - 4 months of £126 payments to catch up. It has been 6 months so that is an outright lie. Consumer Direct have stated that they think I have good grounds for complaint. They also stated that any payment of money back to NPower can only be referred to higher levels (debt collection) in the same period of time (This is where I'm hazy and need to double check with consumer direct) since they last read the meter (never / 3 years). I could have that wrong but consumer direct did state that there was a period from a set date related to my dealings with them which would means lenght of time would need to be taken before they can go to debt collection agencies. Another good thing they mentioned which is something I was aware of in my own sector of work (The Financial Services). If I am unhappy with the result of any complaint with them, (I will be asking for a "scratching" of any debt") then I should pass my issues to the energy watchdog ombudsman. The guy at consumer direct said generally energy companies would prefer to resolve a complaint before it goes to the ombudsman as the cost in fines / complaint investigation via the ombudsman in most cases is greater than the debt owed. I know this much is true in my sector of work and things being referred to the Financial Services Authority. Its a shame in this day and age that companies such as NPower only accept things in writing. Personally I think its a method whereby they know that customers who cant be bothered to complain / have a borderline complaint wont bother them and they can wash their hands of any issue. My company upon hearing anyone even utter the words unhappy and / or people showing anger / unhappyness in their voice (A large sigh is enough), as a regulatory requirement we must log a complaint. Complaints are only usually dealt with in writing in cases whereby the client has written to us to complain without contacting us first as 99% of the time the complaint can either be resolved or logged over the phone. Sorry. Ranting a bit again. Lol Hopefully it does all go well. I am a prolific hoarder and even have receipts for small purchase from over 10 years ago. Therefore I have a copy of everything. The only unfortunate thing is that my filing leaves a little to be desired so it may take a lot of routing to get everything together. Again thanks for the advice and info. I think this post was more a case of getting things off my chest. Hopefuly something good will come of my complaint Cheers again ; )

NPower without a doubt are the biggest bunch of idiots and [problem] artists I have ever had the misfortune to deal with. I pride my self on handling things in a reserved manner. I work in a customer services call centre for a large insurance company where patience and understanding is second nature to me. TBH I am a last bastion in this type of industry who really does care and I go out of my way to help people. Maybe I'm just too much of a goody 2 shoes in this day and age. I pride myself on that trait (customer service / HUGE Patience) and it is something I was good at even before my customer service work. I can count the number of times in my life on one hand where I may have possibly raised my voice or sworn with anger (not at work mind you) as I am almost horizontal I'm that laid back and find it so difficult to loose my temper. Congratulations NPower. Your absolute uselessness as a company brought me to raising my voice and worst of all (A first for me) I actually swore at least 5 times during my last call to them and also resorted to the F word. Sorry. Thats just a bit of background blather. So anyway. I wont go into too much detail as frankly I'm tired of their lack of customer service or service of any level for that matter and I'd rather not blow another blood vessel. Heres a small bit of basic. I have had an arrears letter from them stating I owe £100 approx for Gas and £150 approx for Electricity. 3 years in a flat. Never missing a Direct Debit. Always paying the right amount. In fact on estimations I might have perhaps overpaid them (Although not excessively, not to the amount that I think I should ask for a refund). Moved out March 1st (perhaps a day or so either side). Arrears letter 29th of March. Last payment was due 18th of March so in under 2 weeks they send me a demand stating FINAL NOTICE. It is the 1st letter. I had notified them dutifully at the beginning of march I had moved out. After getting final bill statement I called them to complain (£250!!!! - WHAT). I will point out that in Sept last year I had a letter from them stating bill going from £25 (approx) to (£126)(It had already fluctuated well above that £25 monthly figure to account any underpayment I might have been making). In fact the letter stated that their reason for increase to £126 was the "credit crunch" and cost of gas going up. I questioned them and person told me it was arrears (not as the letter says) as I had under paid. They assured me £126 for no more than 4 months to pay the excess over the 3 years. FINE. It has been ongoing for 2 months extra and they still say theres £250 due. ANYWAY. Aside from that and numerous other lies. e.g. Some have told me they did meter readings. A manager today confirmed they never have. I have heard they need to check at least once in 2 years. They haven't although approximately a week before I moved someone came round to read the Elec. Sorry. I wasn't going to ramble but being the king of waffle the typing above got out of hand. I have some questions to ask other consumers. (Just down the bottom there) No personal details need be given. I am a single male. I was living in a Studio flat (Living room combined with sleeping, small kitchen and small bathroom). All very small as studio flats are. 2 working radiators. Being a single flat, single male etc with a full time job the usage was tiny. I have contacted the landlady in the mean time to ask her for final readings on the meters to resolve the matter of what was used because NPower are only going by esitmates but their estimates seem to estimate that all users are living in 200 room mansions. Anyway. Heres what I'm looking for....... Please could people give me the following details as I truely want to ascertain how much I might have had to spend. People in similar living scenarios to mine above would be ideal. How much do you pay in total (or seperately) a month for Gas and Elec? Size of property (number of bedrooms, flat or house?) How many people living there. Including children? Also. If anyway could advise on people to contact? I am going to write an email to Ofgem as from internet searches this looks like the correct regulatory body. I have an address to write to for NPower to obtain a call transcript of all calls I've made to them which will include the "lies" they have given me. and as previously explained I am awaiting meter readings from the ex landlady. It suprises me in no way that as well as this site, if you search on google for NPower more complaint topics appear than general info. Thanks for any help in advance. Cheers Albino

and TBH I think that was a very sensible move. I have a few friends who have PS3's and TBH not one of them has had a problem. The taxi driver I mentioned before who moved to PS3 stated he did have a problem with his intial PS3 BUT that was simply a faulty wire which Sony sent a guy to his door to replace there and then. NOT JUST THE WIRE but a whole new PS3!!!! Now thats proper customer service. Sounds just like a fluke and as well as hearing no problems from mates I have seen no major media coverage on any sort of problems with PS3's going wrong TBH when I sell on my 360 which as estimated will probably be the end of this year then I will probably move back to PC gaming like I used to. Whilst the 360 was returned this time I invested in the madly addictive World of Warcraft. Lol I already have a PC, wanna move away from gaming to save for travelling and a PS3 may be a bit too much cost for myself. But certainly wise words IMHO that if you want a machine that works dont go Microsoft 360. Albino

Peeps. As I have mentioned previously TRY TRY TRY at MS. Courts and the shops can be avoided in most cases and please read on. I am doing my own personal survey and you will be shocked at how awful the 360 is. Towards the bottom. (Sorry I waffle a lot) I have had enough of them and I've experienced some of the worst from them. Sooooooooooo. In brief Release date console. Died after 6 months (Disc drive) Repair Died after 6 months (Disc Drive) repair Died after 6 months (Disc Drive) repair Died after 6 months (Red Rings of Death) Supposedly supplied with a brand new console (or so they told me) Died after 3 months (Disc Drive) (Note. After "new console" I cut down on my gaming time immensly so it shows it wasn' my excessive playing doing the damage but TBH a gaming machine should be able to take a lot of gaming) This new console which died even quicker was only a few weeks back. I received it back repaired yesterday. BUT This repair was the most hassle. Every other time. Fine. Got it fixed with no cost. Basically. Warranty from the opinion of MS is 1 year for any problems. or 3 years if it was a release date console (This extension however is supposedly only for RROD and not disc drive) Right I had a replacement and they confirmed on this last repair that any warranty is from the date you purchased an original console. So in theory mine was still 3 years from release date which would be up in Dec 2008. It does not go from a year after they supplied me the "new" one (Dec 2007) BUT what they said to me is that the consoles that have the extension, said extension only applies to RROD errors and not disc drive errors (Which is what I had this time) This is an out right lie because if you refer to my timeline at the top. My third problem was a disc drive error (Confirmed by them). This was outside of year warranty but within the 3 year extension. I called MS. No go. Very abrupt. U gotta pay Emailed them on a "special" address. (Before replacement console was issued I dealt with the UK head office of MS directly). All sorted that time Ok and totally understood my issues. Email this time. No repsonse. After around 4 emails and over a week later I finally got a response. Noteably after I requested it sent to CEO of MS UK and the fact I mentioned it has gone to Watchdog and various others. Email was rude, abrupt and "Strangely" *sarcasm* had no name on it. Lets just say I went absolutely mad. At my argument of not paying fee because (A) Warranty is a lie from what has happened in past (B) They sent me a supposedly new console which has died twice as quick with less use. They obviously sent me a dodgy one! IMHO SOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooo I rang up and went absolutely Ape Sh** (Excuse my language). To be fair tho I only swore once in the whole call using the aforementioned S word to describe the 360 product. Now as someone previously mentioned their call centres are in Europe and credit to them their English is better than a lot of us. Even better still I insisted on a "manager" and their English tends to be better still. After explaining myself the guy instantly jumped in offering a free repair. Either because he could see my legitimate issue or he couldn't be bothered with the fuss. Anywho. Moral to the story. Push push push at MS. Its a hassle but its their fault and they know it. They hate to be tarred with a bad customer service rep and usually do their utmost. RIGHT The Survey. I am that annoyed with MS again at constantlywaving off remarks to the 360 so I've started doing some research. Did you know that the BBC when they got wind of the warranty extension got a statement from MS. This statement said their returns were more than expected, that they wouldn't disclose figures and that the majority of 360 gamers have a good experience. This was also featured in various programs including watchdog. From memory I think when it first first arrived they commented at about 3 - 5% returns which is average for any new electrical product. Also I believe (I could be wrong) that when mentioning the warranty extension that they stated they were only having real problems with the release date consoles and problems should be disappearing. I think NOT. Right. SO TBH I have only reviewed 50 total Xboxes so far. I have asked taxi drivers, people at call centres, colleague at work, people in my friends list and also random strangers online. 50 isn't a lot so hardly fair BUT if figures stay at what they are then I will be taking the survey online. Lets take an e.g. I sent back my console 5 times. 4 x for old console. New console just gone back once. I counted this as 1 console reviewed and 1 send back scenario. Basically. Total Xboxes reviewed that have had to be sent back. I will point out that of those sent back in my survey around 28% have had to go back more than twice RIGHT DRUM ROLL....................................................... My return consoles so far = 72% So of the 50 people I asked 72% have had to send an Xbox back. That is absolutely disgusting. I am still awaiting emails back from trading standards and watchdog. I emailed DHL and UPS to see if I could get figures of returns they deliver for MS. (No luck there. Professional courtesy) UPS sortin office told me they get loads. DHL (Dunno why MS are using a mix of the 2 companies now?) DHL call centre said they see a few but the girl I spoke to had one and hers hadn't broke (Just showing I am not picking moaners or people who have had problems on purpose) Due to having to work a lot I picked my 360 from UPS last night by getting a taxi and the driver and his girlfriend had around 3 repairs and gave up to go with PS3. What I'm gettin at is how useless this console is. Games great, Online service Great. Generally Great. Hardware = Fall apart and certainly not worth the hassle and money. So am I hippocrit. Partly. Cos I love gaming too much and to rub some salt in wounds I am loving GTA4. Lol BUT When I see the tell tale signs of the console going again (I estimate before the end of 2008 ) then I will sell it on and either move back to PC gaming and / or get a PS3 or something more reliable. Watch this space as there is a good chance I will be creating my own blog and investigation into MS because IMHO it is criminal PS stats above are not just on release date consoles. A lot in fact are these new machines which supposedly have no problems!!!!!!! Ranting Albino ; )

Albino's back Mednabor's post flagged me up on email at work. Background News - I have seriously cut down on Xbox gaming after a life affirming trip to Cambodia BUT thats a different story....... Med. To be honest I would have pushed the first console error on them. My understanding of the free extended (3 year) warranty is that its only for release machines e.g. mine. Basically MS dont like a bad rep for consumer / customer services. I mean at first they told me I would only get a repair but I stuck to my guns and got a brand new console out of them. I have seen a lot of examples where if you push it that bit further, get treated like rubbish and push the speaking to a manager you'll get something out of them. Their EXTREMELY poor hardware provided is lettin them down globally. Anyone see the news link to a games convention when their own demo machines got the Red Rings? Lol. Now that was funny. I would have suggested on your phone call being upset that it was only a few days out and ask to speak to a manager and throw whatever you know, about their shoddy products, at the them. I'm sure they woulda been pro consumer on you after a stern discussion. Also I wouldn't / Couldn't (money) go out and buy another console but each to his own. If thats bust then at least (I'm assuming) your still in free warranty period? Albino ; )

Ooooops. Double post

I'm back. Right sorry. Left it a bit long. I had a weeks sponsored "Xbox silence" (Dont talk about Xbox etc) for Children in Need. My work colleagues were so happy to not have to hear me talk about the darn thing for a week. On top of that I have been back to my usual busy gaming. Thanks to all the help again from everyone and whaddya know?........ MS sorted it all out. No charge AND A BRAND NEW XBOX 360. Letter to confirm its new including a new serial number. MS did sort it out rather than me having to go back to supplier. Cross fingers / touch wood this one will last longer but I dont think I still have faith in the product as a lasting game console. So peeps. Push at Microsoft. Push. As info a good email address to use is either Xboxsup2@Microsoft.com or Xboxsup3@microsoft.com Also. Had a chat / friend invite off someone who has "read my post online". I am guessin they read it from these forums. Sorry I didn't reply whoever you are but I will hit u up with a chat or msg tonight. Merry Xmas and New Years to everyone. Albino ; )

Cheers for the response Frap (Hope its ok to call u that. Lol) Well I worked out that mine breaks down roughly every 7 months (Nearer 6 months but thought I'd give it the benefit of the doubt) I do play an awful lot. I have worked out I regularily play 50 hours a week. About 5 hours per working day after work and easily 12 hours per day Sat and Sun. Dont think I go above 50 hours of gameplay. I worked out that this equates to 1500 hours of playtime before it needs a repair. Urs has lasted about 82 weeks with 8 hours of play per week as an e.g. Now this is only around 656 hours of gameplay. This is even worse than mine. TBH I keep it in equally good conditions and I dont think mine has ever been an issue of overheating. I mean I play loads as u can tell so u would expect it but IMO u've been left worse off due to the lesser amount u play and the total hours u've possibly played it. Think my problems almost all related to a breaking down disc drive with the most recent problem IMO being the "solder failure" issue. Have a feeling either theres a hardware issue with either sound card OR graphics card in my console. (A) Never had this problem til now so possibly I have had someone elses faulty Xbox. Which is why MS should replace not palm off another faulty box from perhaps someone who has treated it with less care. (B) Its still an issue that Microsoft need to deal with. Microsoft are really starting to get to me with their lack of care now. I mean I had the original Xbox and it died once (not long after purchase). This was the only issue I ever had with the old box and when it was replaced it wasn't repaired it was totally replaced. From memory the courier service who took it away had the delivery of a new box on the same day. In 3 years on the old Xbox that was the one and only problem I ever had. I've been gaming since the mid 80's over 10 different formats and I've never had to use a warranty once Except for the 5 occasions related to the Xbox 1 and the 360. Lets be fair and perhaps blame some of the effects as mechanical and disc drives etc etc etc. That wipes off my ownership of Atari's, Snes, Nes and Gamegears. BUT CD consoles and machines (PC's, PS1, PS2 etc) I've never had faults with these consoles. I used to be so pro-Xbox until my issues with my 360. I dont like to be a fanboy but in comparison of 360 to PS3 I used to remark to people that 360 = (Ms buying out lots of top titles, a live system that has been in place for some time and works very effectively and efficiently, plus 360 is the cheaper of the 2) Problem now is I'm waiving more to the PS3 cos (A) Prices are coming down (B) Whats the use in titles if the machine doesn't work half the time. Not heard half as many problems with the Foreman Grill (Only jokin. PS3) Even if I do get a reponse from Mr Ballmer I think when my 360 is past final warranty I will probably switch back to Sony after if finally dies. and Whether I get a good response from them (New Box) or not (Have another repair, wait until 3 years up, go the Game route) then I think I am still going to compose a blog dedicated to trying to really assess the nature of other peoples problems. Unfortunately at work most things relating to games are locked so theres only so many things I can do. e.g. I can view the Xbox.com forums BUT not post in them. Gonna get my PC at home setup for internet use and do it on there but the reason I mentioned the Xbox forums is I've looked for hardware fault posts / surveys on there before and never seen one. Dont suppose u have a link? The reason I have been chasin MS is one blog I found where a guy did something similar to this. MS saw it and were unhappy about the bad press it was causing and the guy actually managed to get in contact with Peter Moore directly (he was one of the top guys, retired now I think) Well Peter Moore sorted him out a new box. Albino

Frapezle Just hope u dont have as many problems as I've had with mine. Process u took is correct and fine IMO (In my Opinion) Microsoft should not release a product if its shoddy in the first place. I have the 3 year warranty and am still within there. I have not sent it back yet as I have sent a letter of complaint to both their customer services and also Steve Ballmer (The current head of Microsoft). I have read lots of other instances where people like myself (with faults, time and time and time again) have contacted them directly and have been offered new consoles as replacement. I'm playing along this route as althought the legal process is via Game (In my case) I dont think its fair and Microsoft need to give answers. Out of interest. You say u've had it 17 months? Do you know roughly how much (in hours) you play a week? and Is this the first and only problem you've ever had. I am shortly going to create a blog to try and ascertain a true figure for faulty Xbox's and / or try to determine from this info whether there seems to a correlating shelf life of the machine due to total hours you use it? Cheers Albino

Thats cool.... and I understand now the process if I were to pursue this after warranty claim. I still find it absolutely absurd that Game should be held responsible though. Unfortunately this is just the way things work. For the time being I am still well within my 3 year warranty period. Don't know if I mentioned but I called the helpline for MS on Monday and a callback was promised within 48 hours and I specified after my working hours. Was ready to receive a missed call at work because thats what usually happens (They call back promptly but wrong time usually). This time however they didn't even bother to return a call so I will be having harsh words with their call centre this afternoon. "U know u have a problem when............. Xbox support is a speed dial on your mobile!" Thanks again for all your help people. Albino

Sorry. Couple of my mistakes then. As you say its the court hearing time frame. BUT IMHO most companies would rather do without the bad press / cost of small claims so "out of court" settlements might be quite common. I am in an OK situation as I comply with the new 3 year rule BUT am still worried as to what will happen Dec 2008 when this runs out. Also as you state if I were to refer to courts then my case would be against Game rather than Microsoft directly. I still feel this (Court action / media notification) could be a good thing to throw at them (Game or MS) to try to push a resolution. I still find it absolutely ridiculous that a claim should be made against Game. They hardly originally manufactured the product and / or failed to get it fixed each time it has been returned. Surely there must be some way that Microsoft is accountable for this shoddy piece of machinery in the first place? PS I have forgotten to say thanks for all the help and info you've offered. Cheers Albino

Please read reply above but here is some further info I've found..... Beat the out-of-guarantee blues | Cash | The Observer Link to Guardian / Observer website and an article relating to "How long an electrical item should last". Seems like the law for reasonable working is up to "6 YEARS". It explains the procedure surrounding small claims courts and your rights after a warranty has expired. There are examples included of people who have used this process and been successful. Hope this helps anyone and / or myself possibly in the near future. Albino

I know about the new 3 year warranty as offered by Microsoft on release consoles and for this reason I will not be paying for any repairs again. HOWEVER I have learnt through the Grapevine that the standard life of an electrical product in the UK should meet the requirements to last at least 3 years? (Info from a friend who has a degree in Business of some sort - Sorry if this is vague) Perhaps a coincidence that MS has extended its warranty to 3 years? My theory is that MS will happily repair these consoles over and over until the 3 years is up. At which point we have no right of any return. I foresee my Xbox being returned then dying in a further 6 months, having another replacement and / or repair where Microsoft say sorry. "No Go". Thats the 3 years up but IMHO electronics should not be this unreliable and I have never purchased any electronics as unreliable as this. As I stated before I do use the console an excessive amount but this kind of shoddy workmanship should not be accepted. I understand also that they do not have to comply with my request of an elite and / or full re-embursement but with todays supposedly "pro-customer" world I feel my complaints could lead to something. I could be wrong BUT I am sure that one of the issues about the console where people have contacted the media e.g. Watchdog, have since been offered total replacement consoles and in one case I believe I have heard as a good will gesture Microsoft offered an Elite console. Another reason I have put this post out is to see if there are any people in the same boat as me with a similar amount of playing time? Unfortunately I only use a PC from work and most websites are controlled and Games is a filtered subject. Therefore I am unable to post in the official Xbox forums which really would be an ideal place to gain info on other peoples problems. Sorry. I forgot to answer your question. I bought my 360 console from the Game store in the centre of Cardiff. Albino

Well. I purchased a 360 on the 2nd of Dec 2005 (release date). I have since sent it back 3 times and it is now ready for its 4th return. All 3 previous issues were Disc drive failure related. On returning the console the 3rd time I was told it is definately a CD drive fault and that this time it has been totally replaced (The drive that is). I would note that it has gone approximately once every 6 months and with its most recent problem we are near on the next 6 monthly period. This time I have the error of the red lights of death with console also not reading CD's and not even turning on sometimes. Indicates a hardware fault. Could be the drive, my feeling is the sound card has gone from symptons I've suffered. I have absolutely no faith in MS and the 360 anymore. I have left them with an ultimatum. Either replace my console totally with the new Elite model OR re-emburse me to the amount of £1492.50 which is approximately the total I have paid on the console. (This relates to the 40 or so games I have, camera, 3 controllers, numerous breaking headsets, market place points etc etc) I have to put my hand up here and say that unfortunately I have no life and although I hold down a full time, 35 hour a week job, I am addicted to gaming and regularily play between 50 - 60 hours on the console per week. Crazy I know but this should not detract from the fact that Trades Discrimination and the likes would have a field day. Would you purchase a DVD player to have to send it back twice a year? Now you could say "But you have no life, its not designed to take that much abuse". Although I do game an AWFUL lot. There are people who take gaming very seriously e.g. industry boffs and lets say students. I mean theres even people who play professionally for a living (Think in the US your more likely to find people like this as theres no money for it in the UK really). These machines should be designed to take this much use. Also I have been a gamer since the 80's and I have never had problems with equal amounts of usage of all other consoles I've owned or PC's. Even my old Xbox console lasted 4 years and only needed 1 return. I have owned at least 8 - 10 different gaming machines over the last 2 decades and only MS products have had faults of any kind. I'm sorry. I'm starting to rant now but the summary of this is..... IMO.... That MS have a beautiful crafted machine idea BUT to save costs the parts can handle no kind of constant use whatsoever and readily break after a lot of use. I have an image of say 2 years from now that every 360 console out there would have been returned. My theory is that even those who dont take gaming as seriously as me will eventually find that their mild "wear + tear" / use will result in something internal going wrong. The question I pose is as follows. In relation to the ultimatum I left above, MS have stated I will get a callback from a manager who I know will just babble on about their policy. However I am having none of it and was wondering about legal action / steps I might take once they state we'll either repair or replace ur 360 (with bog standard version). Anyone got Bill Gates address? even tho he's retired. Lol As explained, for a £300 piece of equipment to break so commonly I'm sure there are laws pertaining to the sale of electronic goods and what they should be able to do. Hopefully people are still reading these posts as the last one is dated some time ago. Cheers for any help Albino