Friday, Jun 19, 2009
Well, I wish I could claim that I was surprised that my THIRD 360 has now started to experience severe problems, but I can't. As anyone who has seriously followed the trail of the 360 hardware issues should know by now, Microsoft released a piece of crap console from a hardware reliability perspective in order to be first to market and ordinary consumers have been paying for this cash-in decision ever since.
For the record, I do NOT have the dreaded "Red Ring of Death" issue. I have a related hardware failure that deals with non-stop console "freezes" when I am playing. Specifically, the console freezes up for no particular reason even when playing not particularly new games (like NBA Live 08 ).
If Microsoft wished to claim plausible deniability that this isn't a known and frequent problem, then their support menu should not list this issue in the same sentence as the three red light issue when you call in for tech support or to submit a repair ticket. Now seems a great time to bring up what Microsoft promised the last time I had a broken console.
Microsoft's Documented Promise
The Cliff Notes version is that Microsoft committed to me that in return for accepting a repair on my current console for a second time, if I ever had a third broken device I would get a brand new 360 Elite in return. The great thing about blogs is that they are a very good source of documentation.
Specifically, a gentleman named "Eric" made this promise on behalf of Microsoft back then. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not been willing to deliver upon this commitment. During this last week, which, fortunately, I've been on vacation from work for, I've escalated this situation TWICE and been rejected both times. Whomever "Eric" is, he apparently doesn't take good notes. Despite the fact I asked specifically for this commitment to be documented in my case file, the folks I've been talking with on the phone claim that no notes on this commitment are in their records.
The beautiful thing about having a wife who works in customer support is that you get a lot of detailed inside knowledge on how to get what you want when you are working with customer support from other companies. Specifically, I've gathered the following bits of information during my repeated calls into 1-800-4MYXBOX.
1. That phone number does NOT take you to Microsoft itself. Microsoft has outsourced their customer support to a 3rd Party. Based on the accents, I'm guessing that their outsourcing is probably Costa Rica. (The same country that the company that *I* work for has outsourced so many things to.)
2. I've spoken with three different "supervisors" thus far. "Kelly" and "Malcolm" are probably first level supervisors. "Krissa" is apparently one step up from either of them.
3. The "Specialty Department" is where "Eric" who made the promise to me documented worked when he made the promise. Unlike Kelly, Malcom and Krissa...Eric actually works for Microsoft itself.
4. Eric STILL works in the Specialty Department. This would be the same Specialty Department that has denied my case twice after promising me the exact thing that I am currently asking for.
5. Kelly, Malcom and Krissa are powerless to give me what I ask for. Due to the genius that is Microsoft's public relations, they don't have any real power to give customers anything. They instead have to escalate to Microsoft itself in the form of the Specialty Department.
6. The program that Eric works for is called "Risque Exchange". Entry level grunts don't know what this is. Malcom acknowledged this program's existence.
I'm writing this blog as I wait for exactly one hour to pass. After an hour, I intend to call the support number back again and immediately re-escalate. I promised Krissa that I would do this during our last call. She and I both know she can't do **** to help me, again do the the genius of Microsoft's PR department, but she CAN put detailed notes into my case that the Specialty Department reviews. So I want to ensure that she argues my case convincingly.
Essentially, I'm probably the very worst type of customer to deal with. Most customer support folks are not allowed to hang up on you so long as you are being polite and calm. They also usually are paid based on how many calls they take and resolve per hour. So I have no problem screwing their metrics up all to hell to ensure that they become my advocate. This makes my case a personal thing for the people handling it. Not only am I causing Microsoft money by calling in again and again and writing scathing blog posts detailing their abdominal console reliability and customer support, I'm costing the people speaking on the phone with me money personally.
Granted, this is not the nicest thing in the world to do, but on the other hand, this could have been resolved on Monday if Microsoft had stepped up to the plate and shelved out the $200 it probably costs them to actually make each of their 360 Elite consoles. I guarantee that it will cost them a lot more than that if they keep stringing me along.
At the end of the day, I was given a promise and I mean to ensure that the company that extended me that promise follows through. I don't care if it ends up costing them $200, $2000 or $20,000 before they finally cave. Three broken 360's is completely unacceptable.
I have almost 400 people tracking my blog. In the big scheme of things, that isn't that many. But on the other hand, that is four hundred people who have now (hopefully) been given a very negative view of Microsoft's cash-in decision to rush a broken, unfinished console to the market in order to beat out Sony and Nintendo. How many people will THEY say bad things about Microsoft to? How many people will the people they talk to say negative things about Microsoft to?
At the end of the day, By jerking me around Microsoft has probably cost themselves AT LEAST a couple of thousand dollars worth of future business to avoid spending $200 to give me a working, functional console.
Apparently, math is not this company's strong suit.
My next blog post on this subject will be on the Soap Box. (If necessary.)
Edit: If you think *I'm* harsh, you should listen to the wife while she takes HER turn on the phone. I'm not even the person on the other end of the line and she makes me want to hide under the bed. I'm so proud of her!
For the record, I do NOT have the dreaded "Red Ring of Death" issue. I have a related hardware failure that deals with non-stop console "freezes" when I am playing. Specifically, the console freezes up for no particular reason even when playing not particularly new games (like NBA Live 08 ).
If Microsoft wished to claim plausible deniability that this isn't a known and frequent problem, then their support menu should not list this issue in the same sentence as the three red light issue when you call in for tech support or to submit a repair ticket. Now seems a great time to bring up what Microsoft promised the last time I had a broken console.
Microsoft's Documented Promise
The Cliff Notes version is that Microsoft committed to me that in return for accepting a repair on my current console for a second time, if I ever had a third broken device I would get a brand new 360 Elite in return. The great thing about blogs is that they are a very good source of documentation.
Specifically, a gentleman named "Eric" made this promise on behalf of Microsoft back then. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not been willing to deliver upon this commitment. During this last week, which, fortunately, I've been on vacation from work for, I've escalated this situation TWICE and been rejected both times. Whomever "Eric" is, he apparently doesn't take good notes. Despite the fact I asked specifically for this commitment to be documented in my case file, the folks I've been talking with on the phone claim that no notes on this commitment are in their records.
The beautiful thing about having a wife who works in customer support is that you get a lot of detailed inside knowledge on how to get what you want when you are working with customer support from other companies. Specifically, I've gathered the following bits of information during my repeated calls into 1-800-4MYXBOX.
1. That phone number does NOT take you to Microsoft itself. Microsoft has outsourced their customer support to a 3rd Party. Based on the accents, I'm guessing that their outsourcing is probably Costa Rica. (The same country that the company that *I* work for has outsourced so many things to.)
2. I've spoken with three different "supervisors" thus far. "Kelly" and "Malcolm" are probably first level supervisors. "Krissa" is apparently one step up from either of them.
3. The "Specialty Department" is where "Eric" who made the promise to me documented worked when he made the promise. Unlike Kelly, Malcom and Krissa...Eric actually works for Microsoft itself.
4. Eric STILL works in the Specialty Department. This would be the same Specialty Department that has denied my case twice after promising me the exact thing that I am currently asking for.
5. Kelly, Malcom and Krissa are powerless to give me what I ask for. Due to the genius that is Microsoft's public relations, they don't have any real power to give customers anything. They instead have to escalate to Microsoft itself in the form of the Specialty Department.
6. The program that Eric works for is called "Risque Exchange". Entry level grunts don't know what this is. Malcom acknowledged this program's existence.
I'm writing this blog as I wait for exactly one hour to pass. After an hour, I intend to call the support number back again and immediately re-escalate. I promised Krissa that I would do this during our last call. She and I both know she can't do **** to help me, again do the the genius of Microsoft's PR department, but she CAN put detailed notes into my case that the Specialty Department reviews. So I want to ensure that she argues my case convincingly.
Essentially, I'm probably the very worst type of customer to deal with. Most customer support folks are not allowed to hang up on you so long as you are being polite and calm. They also usually are paid based on how many calls they take and resolve per hour. So I have no problem screwing their metrics up all to hell to ensure that they become my advocate. This makes my case a personal thing for the people handling it. Not only am I causing Microsoft money by calling in again and again and writing scathing blog posts detailing their abdominal console reliability and customer support, I'm costing the people speaking on the phone with me money personally.
Granted, this is not the nicest thing in the world to do, but on the other hand, this could have been resolved on Monday if Microsoft had stepped up to the plate and shelved out the $200 it probably costs them to actually make each of their 360 Elite consoles. I guarantee that it will cost them a lot more than that if they keep stringing me along.
At the end of the day, I was given a promise and I mean to ensure that the company that extended me that promise follows through. I don't care if it ends up costing them $200, $2000 or $20,000 before they finally cave. Three broken 360's is completely unacceptable.
I have almost 400 people tracking my blog. In the big scheme of things, that isn't that many. But on the other hand, that is four hundred people who have now (hopefully) been given a very negative view of Microsoft's cash-in decision to rush a broken, unfinished console to the market in order to beat out Sony and Nintendo. How many people will THEY say bad things about Microsoft to? How many people will the people they talk to say negative things about Microsoft to?
At the end of the day, By jerking me around Microsoft has probably cost themselves AT LEAST a couple of thousand dollars worth of future business to avoid spending $200 to give me a working, functional console.
Apparently, math is not this company's strong suit.
My next blog post on this subject will be on the Soap Box. (If necessary.)
Edit: If you think *I'm* harsh, you should listen to the wife while she takes HER turn on the phone. I'm not even the person on the other end of the line and she makes me want to hide under the bed. I'm so proud of her!
Comments
Page
1
« prev
|
next »
Posted Jun 19, 2009 3:39 pm PT
Having seen you angry, I almost feel bad for these poor people... 
Microsoft is really screwing their Customer Service reps over by outsourcing to a 3rd party company and not giving them any power to actually do anything, and then not giving them a proper escalation path. But at least now I understand why my customers are so shocked that I am in the US, am knowledgeable and efficient, and actually able to help them...
Microsoft is really screwing their Customer Service reps over by outsourcing to a 3rd party company and not giving them any power to actually do anything, and then not giving them a proper escalation path. But at least now I understand why my customers are so shocked that I am in the US, am knowledgeable and efficient, and actually able to help them...
Posted Jun 19, 2009 3:54 pm PT
I just got my console back for the second time yesterday. Yes, this means the console was faulty, which is inconvenient, but the return process was a lot simpler this time (perhaps because I was already on their system due the previous repair). I got a month free of Live Gold which I wasn't expecting, even though I'm unlikely to get use out of it. That was a red ring issue though, not the issue you are having.
Working in customer service, the hysterical ones are often the easiest ones to dismiss because their expectations are too high. The calm collected ones who wait patiently are usually harder to deal with.
Working in customer service, the hysterical ones are often the easiest ones to dismiss because their expectations are too high. The calm collected ones who wait patiently are usually harder to deal with.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 4:35 pm PT
Since they're probably playing these outsourced customer service reps next to nothing, it will take a while to rack up a $20,000 price tag.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 4:44 pm PT
I currently am on my fifth 360. Last time, I told the person on the phone how frustrating it was that I've had to have it fixed three times previously and they decided to send me a refurbish. It's no Elite, but functions tons better than before.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 4:59 pm PT
@Azure_Valkyrie
My sympathies. As someone who is about to be on my fourth 360, I know how aggravating it is.
@ChiliDragon
To quote Gladiator: I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.
@bacchus2
That's the thing: I REFUSE to me hysterical. I was promised this. Repeat: PROMISED this. After my last 360 failure. I'm not being hysterical or unreasonable. I'm simply being persistent.
@zgreeenwell
I'm ridiculously stubborn. I'm an diagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder person. The $20K was identified as a high end. It probably won't get that far. I'm pretty sure that at some point, Microsoft will do some basic arithmetic. Even if they don't, I promise I'll have my pound of flesh from them.
My sympathies. As someone who is about to be on my fourth 360, I know how aggravating it is.
@ChiliDragon
To quote Gladiator: I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.
@bacchus2
That's the thing: I REFUSE to me hysterical. I was promised this. Repeat: PROMISED this. After my last 360 failure. I'm not being hysterical or unreasonable. I'm simply being persistent.
@zgreeenwell
I'm ridiculously stubborn. I'm an diagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder person. The $20K was identified as a high end. It probably won't get that far. I'm pretty sure that at some point, Microsoft will do some basic arithmetic. Even if they don't, I promise I'll have my pound of flesh from them.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 5:03 pm PT
@grigjd3
I'm stubborn. If they hadn't promised this last time, I might be willing to settle for less. They did promise. I'm NOT willing to settle. They WILL pay. Trust me, I'm not nearly as vicious as the wife. She scares the hell out of me. I would NOT want to be on the phone with her in this situation. Oh well, she's still REALLY sexy.
I'm stubborn. If they hadn't promised this last time, I might be willing to settle for less. They did promise. I'm NOT willing to settle. They WILL pay. Trust me, I'm not nearly as vicious as the wife. She scares the hell out of me. I would NOT want to be on the phone with her in this situation. Oh well, she's still REALLY sexy.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 5:05 pm PT
Go after them man. The quality of their first set of consoles is pitiful.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 5:10 pm PT
Jim, that's terrible, however I must admit I'm probably the worst kind of customer, one who is impatient.... My first 360 I traded in when I felt it was "close" to its last legs. My current one I've had to ship off to target repair warranty twice and MS once. I got a refurbished one back... but it sounds like a chopper. I'm not waiting for this one to die. I'm taking my best buy reward points and hunting for a jasper arcade made after april 19th... and then I'll trade in my current rig for rock band beetles.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 5:15 pm PT
@nocoolnamejim: Don't worry, Jim, I've been avoiding getting a 360 because of how unreliable it still is. Seeing how the console is still experiencing major hardware issues, it's a wonder the 360 has sold as well as it did--and still sells. Instead, I'll stick with my gaming rig. It can play any of the console ports better, anyway, and this one hasn't gotten a single blue screen error since I've gotten it in February. It's amazingly stable. Now, perhaps in the future, when the price drops further and I'm not still hearing complaints of RRoD or sporadic freezing, I just MIGHT get a 360.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 5:31 pm PT
You should send all your documentation to tips@consumerist.com. People who complain to them usually tend to get what they've been promised. Plus it gets some really nice blog posts about your story that tens of thousands of people see.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 5:49 pm PT
I'm sorry that you're going through all this
there was a part of me that wanted an XBOX360 but, after hearing so MANY complaints about how their systems failed over and over again I've decided that I will NOT buy an XBOX360. I hope you're problem gets a resolution soon
there was a part of me that wanted an XBOX360 but, after hearing so MANY complaints about how their systems failed over and over again I've decided that I will NOT buy an XBOX360. I hope you're problem gets a resolution soon
Posted Jun 19, 2009 6:24 pm PT
Good luck with that.
The reports of the X360's abysmal (and continuing) rate of failure (even before it's market release) and Micro$oft's lacklustre "support" put me off making that particular purchase for many years (hell, I'm still waiting for a decent operating system from them). But I finally succumbed to temptation recently and bought one of the newer hardware configurations (Jasper). No problems so far (touch wood) ...
... however I do find it difficult to play with my fingers perpetually crossed.
Oh, and when you say "abdominal console", I take it you meant abominable (adj. - repugnantly hateful; detestable; loathsome; very unpleasant or disagreeable; very bad, poor, or inferior). My apologies if you did intend some connection with human anatomy - although I would have assumed a body part lower down and towards the rear.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 6:59 pm PT
@s_h_a_d_o
Be nice. Everyone with a functional organic CPU should know what I meant! 
Seriously though, I continue to struggle with the 3rd party that Microsoft hired for their customer support. Other than Malcom, there isn't a customer focused employee among those folks. 
Be nice.
Everyone with a functional organic CPU should know what I meant! Seriously though, I continue to struggle with the 3rd party that Microsoft hired for their customer support. Other than Malcom, there isn't a customer focused employee among those folks.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 7:19 pm PT
Oh man, mine only broke once so far, and that was a nightmare in itself. I'm pleased to hear that you and Chili are stickin' it to the man, so to speak. Microsoft has never been very open to hear their customers in any way, shape, or form, so as you said, this isn't so surprising.
I eagerly await your victory blog, sir!
I eagerly await your victory blog, sir!
Posted Jun 19, 2009 8:42 pm PT
Don't worry Jim, I wasn't insinuating that your issue shouldn't be dealt with if my previous message came across the wrong way. It seems weird that they wouldn't have the original call recorded.
Posted Jun 20, 2009 12:11 am PT
Actually Jim, to add fuel to the fire I'm positive that Microsoft has outsourced their customer service to multiple third parties in multiple countries. My calls to Microsoft regarding broken 360s have lead to myself speaking to people from both China and India. Therefore, with your assumption that they also outsourced to Costa Rica, we can assume that they have at least three third parties doing their customer service. What happened to the days when you could talk to an AMERICAN when calling the customer service of an AMERICAN company? Nothing against non-Americans, but that Chinese woman was particularly hard to understand when I called for my second 360.
Personally, I agree fully. Microsoft didn't just screw the pooch with the 360, they raped it until it bled out. I have had to replace my 360 every year since buying one in 2006. My first 360 died before it was a full year, the second when it was just over a year old. I'm currently on my third and I'm starting to worry considering my track record; this 360 will be a year old before long. Never before have I owned a console this unreliable. I only had to replace a console ONCE before getting my 360 and that was my PS2, which lasted about five years before it started getting disc read errors. I really hope that Microsoft gets their crap together next time, but I doubt it. There is already word that the next Xbox could be ready for 2010, which is WAY too soon.
Personally, I agree fully. Microsoft didn't just screw the pooch with the 360, they raped it until it bled out. I have had to replace my 360 every year since buying one in 2006. My first 360 died before it was a full year, the second when it was just over a year old. I'm currently on my third and I'm starting to worry considering my track record; this 360 will be a year old before long. Never before have I owned a console this unreliable. I only had to replace a console ONCE before getting my 360 and that was my PS2, which lasted about five years before it started getting disc read errors. I really hope that Microsoft gets their crap together next time, but I doubt it. There is already word that the next Xbox could be ready for 2010, which is WAY too soon.
Posted Jun 20, 2009 12:54 am PT
I think I've been through three as well, so I definitely sympathise. I think it's quite despicable how they hide under the umbrella of red ring failures when it's all-round just poorly built (none of these three have been RROD for me). Bad experiences this generation and what I anticipate as less of a desire to get the new console right away means I think I'm going to wait it for at least a few months when the next round hit.
Posted Jun 20, 2009 1:24 am PT
Sorry to hear about your 360 woes. I just moved in with my girlfriend so now we have two for side-by-side Fable II co-op fun! =)
"My next blog post on this subject will be on the Soap Box"
I didn't realise mods chose their own content for the Soap Box. That explains why it's the same people on it each time, I guess =P
"My next blog post on this subject will be on the Soap Box"
I didn't realise mods chose their own content for the Soap Box. That explains why it's the same people on it each time, I guess =P
Posted Jun 20, 2009 2:12 am PT
Dunno, I don't own 360.
Posted Jun 20, 2009 4:59 am PT
My 360 broke about a year after I got it, then the replacement broke about a month after that. This one's stayed functional for almost two years now. I remain hopeful that I will never again have to deal with customer support.
Posted Jun 20, 2009 6:48 am PT
That stinks. I agree. I think both MS and Sony dropped the ball this generation and if it was most other products there would have been a recall or at least tooken off shelf until the products are fixed. But no,we are not important enough I guess so we live in a world where your $400 dollar machine can break anytime.
It sickens me. How come Ralph nader does not care about the videogame consumer? are we not people too?
It sickens me. How come Ralph nader does not care about the videogame consumer? are we not people too?
Posted Jun 20, 2009 8:25 am PT
I'm waiting as my 360 comes back from round 2 of repairs in as many months. I feel your pain. I've enjoyed this blog a lot, since for me it's going to be my guide if this repair fails again. Can you imagine how horrified their customer service will be when new casefiles open with people who know them by 'name'? Heck, that's why I took the time to plumb CNET's support structure after my last moderation! You're not a bad customer, you're one who demands that a company live up to its promise, if not its legally ambiguous EULA. Demanding service for your money is natural, correct, and without such demands service is NOT rendered in this day and age.
Posted Jun 20, 2009 8:28 am PT
When they find Eric, he'll probably get fired for having a conscience. You're not being harsh. They absolutely deserve the Wrath of the Chili Dragon. Hope y'all win. Keep your hard drive or they'll screw that up, too. You have the sympathy of a thousand gamers.
Posted Jun 20, 2009 8:41 am PT
@ImaginaryFriend
Definitely sympathize about the chopper sound. The 360 is a very LOUD console.
@Author_Jerry
All about being first to market I guess. For a full year, the 360 was the ONLY "Next Generation" console. They rushed the console out before it was really ready to gain market share. I suspect a lot of people will punish them for that the next time around when a new console gets released by not buying it near the release date.
@ThaSod
A very good suggestion. I may well do so.
@Koi-Neon-X
For a while, an argument could be made that the 360 had an edge in exclusives like Mass Effect that overcame their awful hardware, but really, these days the PS3 has at least as many top quality exclusive titles as the 360 does.
@xboxrulze
I'm definitely working on securing that victory. I've now spoken with a FOURTH supervisor named Carlos, before being put back in Malcom's hands. I have my fingers crossed that this may still end well.
@raven28256
Yeah, the only real issue I have with dealing with offshore tech support is the accent issue. Sometimes it can be very hard to communicate with the person that I'm talking with. I've never had any real issues with my consoles in the past either. Everything from original Nintendo to the present day, not a single broken console ever until the 360.
(More replies coming.)
Definitely sympathize about the chopper sound. The 360 is a very LOUD console.
@Author_Jerry
All about being first to market I guess. For a full year, the 360 was the ONLY "Next Generation" console. They rushed the console out before it was really ready to gain market share. I suspect a lot of people will punish them for that the next time around when a new console gets released by not buying it near the release date.
@ThaSod
A very good suggestion. I may well do so.
@Koi-Neon-X
For a while, an argument could be made that the 360 had an edge in exclusives like Mass Effect that overcame their awful hardware, but really, these days the PS3 has at least as many top quality exclusive titles as the 360 does.
@xboxrulze
I'm definitely working on securing that victory. I've now spoken with a FOURTH supervisor named Carlos, before being put back in Malcom's hands. I have my fingers crossed that this may still end well.
@raven28256
Yeah, the only real issue I have with dealing with offshore tech support is the accent issue. Sometimes it can be very hard to communicate with the person that I'm talking with. I've never had any real issues with my consoles in the past either. Everything from original Nintendo to the present day, not a single broken console ever until the 360.
(More replies coming.)
Posted Jun 20, 2009 9:41 am PT
@PAJ89
Agreed. I've learned my lesson. No buying a console for probably a year after it is first released. If nothing else, then I'd get the benefit of price breaks and all the souped up configurations (like bigger hard drives) that comes out later.
@Lord_Alan
Actually, ANYONE who gets the Soapbox Emblem can put any blog that they like on the Soapbox at any time just by marking it as "Editorial". It isn't a mod specific thing. I try and exercise some caution on what blogs I add to the Soapbox in the interest of fairness, but I think a lot of people with the emblem don't understand how it actually works, which is why you sometimes see some pretty weak Soapbox entries.
@johnsteed7
Best of luck to you. By the way, wanted to give you an update on Resident Evil 5. I got it for my birthday from my parents, even though after reading numerous thoughts that co-op on the game was virtually mandatory, I kept it because it was a gift. This last week, I finally got around to playing it. The complaints about Sheva's scripting/intelligence are drastically overblown. Just make sure she has an upgraded weapon and she does just fine. Not only is the game playable as single player only, it is a heck of a lot of fun. It is less creepy/ominous than previous games in the series (more of a shooter), but still a very good experience.
(More replies coming.)
Agreed. I've learned my lesson. No buying a console for probably a year after it is first released. If nothing else, then I'd get the benefit of price breaks and all the souped up configurations (like bigger hard drives) that comes out later.
@Lord_Alan
Actually, ANYONE who gets the Soapbox Emblem can put any blog that they like on the Soapbox at any time just by marking it as "Editorial". It isn't a mod specific thing. I try and exercise some caution on what blogs I add to the Soapbox in the interest of fairness, but I think a lot of people with the emblem don't understand how it actually works, which is why you sometimes see some pretty weak Soapbox entries.
@johnsteed7
Best of luck to you. By the way, wanted to give you an update on Resident Evil 5. I got it for my birthday from my parents, even though after reading numerous thoughts that co-op on the game was virtually mandatory, I kept it because it was a gift. This last week, I finally got around to playing it. The complaints about Sheva's scripting/intelligence are drastically overblown. Just make sure she has an upgraded weapon and she does just fine. Not only is the game playable as single player only, it is a heck of a lot of fun. It is less creepy/ominous than previous games in the series (more of a shooter), but still a very good experience.
(More replies coming.)
Posted Jun 20, 2009 9:41 am PT
@mattykovax
Becoming "mainstream" is a slow path I guess. We'll get there.
@nappan
Indeed! Best of luck. Looking at raven's comment further up, it may not be as helpful as I hoped it would. If Microsoft really does have multiple different companies in different countries handling these calls, then you may or may not end up with the same support group as myself.
@tclvis
They probably didn't really expect to hear from me again. I think they thought that their hardware issues were a thing of the past at that point. They weren't.
Becoming "mainstream" is a slow path I guess. We'll get there.
@nappan
Indeed! Best of luck. Looking at raven's comment further up, it may not be as helpful as I hoped it would. If Microsoft really does have multiple different companies in different countries handling these calls, then you may or may not end up with the same support group as myself.
@tclvis
They probably didn't really expect to hear from me again. I think they thought that their hardware issues were a thing of the past at that point. They weren't.
Posted Jun 20, 2009 9:44 am PT
Man, after my third 360, I gave up on MS for this gen.
RROD, Jammed disk drive (the one they sent me immediately after the RROD wouldn't let you put disks in it), then that subsequent replacement got an RROD after about a year.
I did have fun with my 360 in the three years I had it, but it just didn't seem worth it to me.
RROD, Jammed disk drive (the one they sent me immediately after the RROD wouldn't let you put disks in it), then that subsequent replacement got an RROD after about a year.
I did have fun with my 360 in the three years I had it, but it just didn't seem worth it to me.
Posted Jun 20, 2009 10:29 am PT
Very funny and if i ever have a problem with my 360 i'll consort with your blog for tips.
Posted Jun 21, 2009 3:12 pm PT
Playing devil's advocate here.
While the 360 has had higher than average failure ratings for consumer electronics, it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. However, it is human nature to complain (loudly) when they are displeased, and remain quiet when content. Thus, we have lots of buzz on the internet when things go bad. My Elite purchased in '07 has never given me problems. As I'm sure tens of thousands of other 360 owners have experienced problem-free gaming. While I don't have numbers, I do know that no console has ever been problem-free.
Yeah, I'm sure MS wanted to be first on the market, but in the end, they spent millions with extended warranty repairs. I have to hand it to them for stepping up to the plate when they could have said "screw you, buy a new one" to everyone after the warranty ran out.
Now, I'm not excusing the failure rate. And I'm not trying to be some fanboy for M$. In your particular case, if you had an issue and they made a promise to you, then you deserve to have that promise fulfilled. Unfortunately, it's not only Microsoft who has crappy customer service. I'd say most companies have poor customer service, including my own! The truth of it is most companies outsource customer service to the lowest bidder, and give them zero resolution power. These first level reps weed out the calls with silly or easy issues. It's too bad the legitimate calls get caught up in this particle filter.
Good luck with your repair.
While the 360 has had higher than average failure ratings for consumer electronics, it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. However, it is human nature to complain (loudly) when they are displeased, and remain quiet when content. Thus, we have lots of buzz on the internet when things go bad. My Elite purchased in '07 has never given me problems. As I'm sure tens of thousands of other 360 owners have experienced problem-free gaming. While I don't have numbers, I do know that no console has ever been problem-free.
Yeah, I'm sure MS wanted to be first on the market, but in the end, they spent millions with extended warranty repairs. I have to hand it to them for stepping up to the plate when they could have said "screw you, buy a new one" to everyone after the warranty ran out.
Now, I'm not excusing the failure rate. And I'm not trying to be some fanboy for M$. In your particular case, if you had an issue and they made a promise to you, then you deserve to have that promise fulfilled. Unfortunately, it's not only Microsoft who has crappy customer service. I'd say most companies have poor customer service, including my own! The truth of it is most companies outsource customer service to the lowest bidder, and give them zero resolution power. These first level reps weed out the calls with silly or easy issues. It's too bad the legitimate calls get caught up in this particle filter.
Good luck with your repair.
Posted Jun 22, 2009 6:47 am PT
That's great news. I might ask for RE5 for my birthday
Posted Jun 22, 2009 5:39 pm PT
Page
1
« prev
|
next »
Friends
My Friends
Azure_Valkyrie