Second hand XBox 360 - bad idea?

Vonhelmet · 4 Mar 2010 at 22:18

I'm looking at picking up a 360 Arcade, but I'm a bit on the broke side, so I'm considering a second hand one from a second hand store. Is this is a bad idea? I understand I should be looking for a "Jasper" chipset, but I presume it's not going to be as easy to ask a second hand store for one, compared to - say - ordering a new Arcade from somewhere that I can be fairly sure is selling new stock.

What happens with warranties? I understand Microsoft do 3 year warranty against the dreaded 3 red rings, but what happens to that warranty if you sell the 360? Is it transferable?

Cheers for your help.

Streeteh · 4 Mar 2010 at 22:19

The warranty isn't transferable. I can't see anything wrong with buying second hand as long as you KNOW it hasn't been registered in the past so you can claim the warranty yourself when it fails.

Memphis · 4 Mar 2010 at 22:35

Entirely depends on cost in my opinion. You don't just run the risk of the machine failing and having no cover. With second hand, depending on exactly how you go about it, you can't be sure you aren't buying a banned machine either.

So my personal opinion is that there is absolutely no reason not to buy second hand, but be aware.

MathewS · 4 Mar 2010 at 22:56

If you are going second hand, buy from a reputable shop that sells games, there are a few, I bought mine second hand and have only had to change it once when the drive went.

edGfaCTor · 5 Mar 2010 at 10:36

Second hand prices from shops don't appear to be that good really most places sell Arcade pre owned that i have seen for around £90 which is poor because other places are doing offers selling them new for about £100 which includes 3 years warranty.

Another things is theres a very big risk of getting a banned or flagged for ban console there was a lot of them flooding the pre owned market and places will try a get you to pay a little extra for extended warranties which are not worth it.

MathewS · 5 Mar 2010 at 12:05

edGfaCTor said:
Second hand prices from shops don't appear to be that good really most places sell Arcade pre owned that i have seen for around £90 which is poor because other places are doing offers selling them new for about £100 which includes 3 years warranty.

Another things is theres a very big risk of getting a banned or flagged for ban console there was a lot of them flooding the pre owned market and places will try a get you to pay a little extra for extended warranties which are not worth it.

If you get a banned box then you can just take it back and change it, and the extended warranties are very much worth it, the amount of times I have seen someone take a console back saying its their x number of purchase because there last one broke and still not taking out the cover which would save them money in the long run

Insanties_birth · 5 Mar 2010 at 12:17

vonhelmet said:
I'm looking at picking up a 360 Arcade, but I'm a bit on the broke side, so I'm considering a second hand one from a second hand store. Is this is a bad idea? I understand I should be looking for a "Jasper" chipset, but I presume it's not going to be as easy to ask a second hand store for one, compared to - say - ordering a new Arcade from somewhere that I can be fairly sure is selling new stock.

What happens with warranties? I understand Microsoft do 3 year warranty against the dreaded 3 red rings, but what happens to that warranty if you sell the 360? Is it transferable?

Cheers for your help.

You lose your warranty so if it red rings your screwed (unless you're willing to call the customer service and renew the warranty). But if you're planning on going online I wouldn't risk it, some consoles are banned from Xbox live and it's impossible to know since the game stores don't test if it gets a connection. You then have no warranty or xbox live if you're unlucky.

If you're willing to risk it then it's okay though.

craptakular · 5 Mar 2010 at 12:26

I was in the same boat as you OP, I have little money but bought an xbox elite 120gb with 4 games new for £190, needed the HDMI audio adapter which was another £15, almost ps3 prices, but alas none of my mates have a ps3.

PermaBanned · 5 Mar 2010 at 12:32

Usually RRoD is a quick fix, just reseat the heatsinks and replace the mounting with screws. Or if it's unsouldered just stick it in the oven 'till it resolders.

Memphis · 5 Mar 2010 at 12:40

Superewza said:
Usually RRoD is a quick fix, just reseat the heatsinks and replace the mounting with screws. Or if it's unsouldered just stick it in the oven 'till it resolders.

It should be pointed out that while the recovery rate from this fix is quite high, it rarely lasts all that long. Don't get me wrong, it may work for months, but it's not a 'sure thing'.

edGfaCTor · 5 Mar 2010 at 14:36

MathewS said:
If you get a banned box then you can just take it back and change it, and the extended warranties are very much worth it, the amount of times I have seen someone take a console back saying its their x number of purchase because there last one broke and still not taking out the cover which would save them money in the long run

You can't return it because they refuse to take it back saying tampered with this happened to a friend of mine his partner purchased one in Aug last year pre owned from big game shop for a present he then finally got his live sub end of oct and he was banned week later.

Extended warranties are not worth it on 360 at all they are covered by a 3 year warranty so why pay for that when theres already one :confused:

stellasuppa · 5 Mar 2010 at 14:41

Memphis said:
It should be pointed out that while the recovery rate from this fix is quite high, it rarely lasts all that long. Don't get me wrong, it may work for months, but it's not a 'sure thing'.

100% the truth i would not buy any next generation console including ps3 pre-owned .
For how many problems they both have i would want some sort of warranty

just to be on the safe side.
also the 360 can be had brand new cheap as chips some places now .

Jamesdavid3 · 5 Mar 2010 at 15:31

edGfaCTor said:
You can't return it because they refuse to take it back saying tampered with this happened to a friend of mine his partner purchased one in Aug last year pre owned from big game shop for a present he then finally got his live sub end of oct and he was banned week later.

Extended warranties are not worth it on 360 at all they are covered by a 3 year warranty so why pay for that when theres already one

They cant just let you buy a Banned/Broken Xbox of them and not let you take it back once you play it for the first time then it doesnt work...

thedoc46 · 5 Mar 2010 at 15:58

What ever happened to common sense?

Buy a 2nd hand 360 AT YOUR OWN RISK ! For sure it will break. Buy a new 'more reliable' one with a new 3yr warranty otherwise it'll cost you more in the end.

Nuff said.

edGfaCTor · 5 Mar 2010 at 19:10

Jamesdavid3 said:
They cant just let you buy a Banned/Broken Xbox of them and not let you take it back once you play it for the first time then it doesnt work...

If you buy one and get it home and straight away it gets banned then I can see them maybe swapping it but as most of us know the ban wave works at set times of the year so you could end up holding on to it for months before the ban happens or like my friend have it for few months before going online then banned.

Theres nothing you can do and speaking to head office is waste of time they try the whole we dont sell pre owned ones straight from store they are sent off to be checked out before shipped back to stores and MS provides a lot of the refurb units which is what they class pre owned as now refurb.