Wednesday, June 10, 2009

What To Do When Your Xbox 360 Warranty Has Expired


By Christian Miller

Once you realize your Xbox is out of commission, you quickly consider your repair options. You can ship it off to Microsoft for repairs, but you'll pay as much as $150 + shipping costs if your 3-year RROD warranty has expired. You'll also wait a good six weeks before getting your precious Xbox 360 back, which is most likely out of the question for a true Xbox gamer. So what next? Well, go with what you know. You want the repair done fast, and you don't want to pay and arm and a leg for it.

If you decide that the Microsoft repair option is not for you, then you need to look for a reputable Xbox 360 repair shop in your area. The trouble is, everyone and their sister claims to be a proven game console repair expert, and the wrong shop can really muck things up for you. To keep you and your game system out of trouble, take note of the following points, which should help you find a reliable Xbox repair facility.

Locating a trustworthy and reliable Xbox 360 repair shop needs to be your main concern. It does you no good to choose a cheap repair deal only to have your Xbox returned to you missing pieces or in poor working order. Remember, you want it done affordably, but you need for it to be done right. Choose incorrectly and you'll have wasted both time and money.

You can find a reliable repair shop. You just need a plan. Start by surfing trusted discussion boards, blogs and websites that focus on Xbox 360 gaming. You're bound to find suggestions there. You should also check out the local web directories from Google and Yahoo - as these often have helpful reviews. Don't forget to ask the repair shops you check out how long they've been in business. Length of service is a sign that the shop does good work.

Price is always a consideration. But remember that you're balancing cost with getting a quick repair. Though you'll probably find a deal that's cheaper than the $150 Microsoft charges, you may still pay just under $100 or so. Check around to say, three different shops and choose the middle bid. That's usually a good formula.

Local Xbox 360 repair shops are a great option for people in need of speedy Xbox repairs. The main benefits of local repair shops are that they speed up the otherwise six week wait time Microsoft would force you to endure, and they often repair Xbox systems for less than Microsoft would charge. However, you really need focus on is the speed of your repair. Be sure to locate an Xbox repair shop that can fix and return your game unit to you promptly. Don't be afraid to ask different services how long it will take to fix your system, and push them for earlier time frames if they provide unacceptable turnaround times.

Lastly, customer service can't be overlooked here. Hey, you need your Xbox 360 working now, right? If you can't find a shop that can get you back your Xbox in time, maybe one can offer you a "loaner" to take home while yours is being fixed? Hey - you can ask. And don't worry, you're not the only gamer out there who can't handle waiting for "your" fix. Local repair business is competitive. If the guys at the shop you choose want to stay in business, they may just do you a solid. Word of mouth is a powerful thing.

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