[quote name='Rozz']Can you guys prove they're not refurbs? Refurbs are often in mint condition, and they're refurbished so it starts up like it's brand new.[/QUOTE]
First of all, refurb 360s are NOT often in mint condition. Just look at the units most people have gotten back from Microsoft. They're also NOT often HDMI units, because they're mostly just fixing up older units and sending them back out. But if you want to believe that these are both refurbs then you have to believe the following:
Two consoles manufactured eight months ago and five months ago respectively (with the new heat sinks, and one with the cooler processor) both crapped out and were sent back in for repairs, even though with those manufacture dates, they really could have only seen about six months' use (for mine) and maybe three months' use (for gkrykewy). And we're not even counting turnaround time for Microsoft, which has to be a good month.
One was cared for so delicately by its previous owner--AND by the gentle-handed Microsoft support personnel--that it has nary a scuff or wear mark anywhere on it... unlike most refurbs, which end up with additional wear and marks by the time they make it back to the user, even if the internal contents are fixed. The other was so poorly handled that it did not even receive the Microsoft seal guaranteeing that it had been properly refurbished, which would have to be some kind of violation of Microsoft's own quality control standards.
In addition, you would have to believe that Amazon is in the business of sending units back to Microsoft for refurbishment, and then accepting those units back from Microsoft to sell at a lower price. That's a fine gig for Gamestop (buy low from one customer... sell high to the next), but if Amazon was doing that, don't you think they'd have more than maybe one or two for sale each week?
You're free to believe what you want, and if all this makes the most sense to you, have at it. Personally, it makes much more sense to me that Amazon is just selling its small number of returns, damaged box items, etc. so they don't have to deal with sending the items back to the manufacturer. Especially since EVERY OTHER SINGLE PRODUCT that I've bought from Warehouse Deals has clearly been a damaged box item, missing shrinkwrap but unused item, etc.
V4oLDbOY: speaking only for myself, if my unit did crap out, it would be treated by Microsoft in exactly the same way as the console I purchased new for $349, because it still has the warranty seal. There's no "risk" involved, and I wouldn't be out any money. If you happen to be lucky enough to get one from Warehouse Deals, and you end up not liking it, you can just return it for a full refund. There's nothing dodgy about it.