Best Buy PRP question

guyver2077

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Long story short..

My 360 red ringed a few weeks ago. I figured since I had the plan I would take it back to store and put my money toward a splinter cell bundle. (why I waited until now).

I bought my elite system in April 2008 with the gta4 launch so the PRP expires late this month.

I tend to buy my consoles at BB because I have always liked the fact that I can take it back to store and get credit/replacement right away without rma'ing or sending to Microsoft.

I was looking at my receipt and the PRP mentions to NOT bring it back to the store. It says to fill out a claim online,etc which probably means I have to ship it somewhere.. WTF! Has this always been like this? :bomb:

The file claim link doesnt even seem to work..

http://www.bestbuy.com/replacementplan

Thanks!
 
you claim that you 'liked the fact that I can take it back to store and get credit/replacement right away without rma'ing or sending to Microsoft." then state "I was looking at my receipt and the PRP mentions to NOT bring it back to the store. It says to fill out a claim online" so i'm confused. Somewhere between there the policy changed somewhere or you ignored it and were given a replacement before in store or something..weird. Please explain and clear this up..
 
If you take it back to store typically they will just give you a straight up replacement for what you bought YMMV (I have heard past experiences where people got a gift card in the amount of the difference between what they originally paid and the current price of the system). However, if you call the PRP # they will send a label, you send the product and a copy of receipt back to them and they will send a gift card for the full price you paid for the system plus tax. I got a PRP and 360 started random freezing and they sent me a gift card for 300.97 for my arcade unit I purchased.
 
[quote name='evildeadjedi']If you take it back to store typically they will just give you a straight up replacement for what you bought YMMV (I have heard past experiences where people got a gift card in the amount of the difference between what they originally paid and the current price of the system). However, if you call the PRP # they will send a label, you send the product and a copy of receipt back to them and they will send a gift card for the full price you paid for the system plus tax. I got a PRP and 360 started random freezing and they sent me a gift card for 300.97 for my arcade unit I purchased.[/QUOTE]

That's an expensive ass 360 arcade :p
 
some Best Buy's will let you take it back at the store anyhow -- depends on the customer service person or manager and how "Customer-focused" they're feeling that day. Helps to say that the salesperson said you could bring it back to the store when you bought it originally (Most sales people do anyhow). YMMV. Worked for a few mp3 players for me, but had to ship a graphing calculator.
 
[quote name='evildeadjedi']If you take it back to store typically they will just give you a straight up replacement for what you bought YMMV (I have heard past experiences where people got a gift card in the amount of the difference between what they originally paid and the current price of the system). However, if you call the PRP # they will send a label, you send the product and a copy of receipt back to them and they will send a gift card for the full price you paid for the system plus tax. I got a PRP and 360 started random freezing and they sent me a gift card for 300.97 for my arcade unit I purchased.[/QUOTE]

this was what happened to me had an 80G swapped out for 120G a slim they only gave me $300 in credit back (B&M). You best bet is to send it in and they will give you the full value back in a voucher
 
[quote name='intoxicated662']you claim that you 'liked the fact that I can take it back to store and get credit/replacement right away without rma'ing or sending to Microsoft." then state "I was looking at my receipt and the PRP mentions to NOT bring it back to the store. It says to fill out a claim online" so i'm confused. Somewhere between there the policy changed somewhere or you ignored it and were given a replacement before in store or something..weird. Please explain and clear this up..[/QUOTE]

I guess I was not paying attention at time of purchase.

Usually when I get the protection plans, etc at BB, It comes with a yellow like booklet that opens and has the warranty info. (I believe I have one currently for my hd tv purchased at BB).

Maybe one is a PRP and the other is a PSP.
 
[quote name='evildeadjedi']If you take it back to store typically they will just give you a straight up replacement for what you bought YMMV (I have heard past experiences where people got a gift card in the amount of the difference between what they originally paid and the current price of the system). However, if you call the PRP # they will send a label, you send the product and a copy of receipt back to them and they will send a gift card for the full price you paid for the system plus tax. I got a PRP and 360 started random freezing and they sent me a gift card for 300.97 for my arcade unit I purchased.[/QUOTE]

Looks like this will work out for the best then..I just really dont like shipping heavy items.. Its gonna be a pain getting a box that size etc.

I think the elites were for going for 449 at the time.
 
Best Buy changed how they handle console issues a while back. They changed it from being a PRP with single-use replacement to a service plan that has the system being repaired.

Whatever terms were on the paperwork when you purchased it are what's binding for your situation, though if the receipt says that it's a PRP, it's a single-use replacement within the timeframe of the PRP. The normal process is that you do the exchange via shipment to a depot that processes the item and sends you a gift card for the purchase price + tax of the item. Sometimes, you can get the store to do it in-store with them calling the phone number that handles the issue and have them approve it at the store.

If you have a PRP, try taking the system and all the accessories into the store and see what they can do for you. If not, then you'll either need to do the online claim or call a phone number to process the claim.

Apparently, it changed on September 14, 2008:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Misc/Ge...on/pcmcat159800050001.c?id=pcmcat159800050001

See this link for the info that should apply to you:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspag...=cat10008&contentId=1043363604723&id=cat12098

Has the phone # to call for the PRP processing, as well as the correct online link.
 
I work at Best Buy in Geek Squad. As long as you have a PSP or PRP, you can come in the store and it will EITHER be replaced, or shipped off to service center, depending on what your actual plan calls for (the system will only let us do certain things with certain plans, no exceptions). You can always bring it in the store, no matter what.
 
[quote name='guyver2077']Looks like this will work out for the best then..I just really dont like shipping heavy items.. Its gonna be a pain getting a box that size etc.

I think the elites were for going for 449 at the time.[/QUOTE]

If you get a bunch of large stuff from Amazon you should have one. Another option is to go to a grocery or department store when they are stocking shelves and get some that way. Every time I'm move or need boxes for storage I do this, no cost to me and they are going to throw the boxes away anyways so it's a win win situation.

Typically most stores stock on Mondays and Tuesdays fyi.

Sometimes even small grocery stores save the boxes or will save them for you if you ask nicely.

By the way I also got my last arcade shortly after the GTAIV launch. My first one died due to a combination of Bioshock and GTAIV.
 
Thanks for the info guys.

I just called in and it went fairly smooth.

Gave My phone number and SKU number. Lady confirmed the price of 449.99 and asked if i wanted it in check or gift card. (opted for check).

She took down my email and said they would send me a UPS label. Now gotta ship the sucker....


Now I guess I am free to buy a new system. Ive been wanting that new splinter cell bundle but I should prob wait until all these e3 rumors clear...
 
[quote name='evildeadjedi']^ If you can live without having a :360: for awhile I would wait till after E3.[/QUOTE]It'll probably be a month or more for the OP to get their money from BB, so it may shift to that timeframe regardless.

Plus, the LE-type consoles are usually available for at least a month after release, so I don't imagine it would be an issue for waiting a month before picking up the SC: C 250GB Super Elite console.
 
[quote name='guyver2077']I guess I was not paying attention at time of purchase.

Usually when I get the protection plans, etc at BB, It comes with a yellow like booklet that opens and has the warranty info. (I believe I have one currently for my hd tv purchased at BB).

Maybe one is a PRP and the other is a PSP.[/QUOTE]

I think you should be able to take it back for an even exchange. Now, if you want the splinter cell bundle I don't know if they will allow you to upgrade and pay the difference so that will be YMMV as i've been able to do that before @ gamestop in the past and don't know how bb is. Also, I only had to wait for them to do an exchange/return once on a tv but that was the only time I went through the whole prp process and on all other items (which were smaller and cost less) I just took it back to the store with original receipt and prp in hand.
 
Why does best buy workers put up such a major fight in returning bundle systems..

I got the star wars PSP limited ed system a few years back.. well the thing stopped loading right and the worker replaced the system with a hanna montana package (it was the cheapest package i could get)

Well here is where the stupid part takes place

best buy did not want the Memory card or the star wars game back... told me to toss them in the trash LOL


I was like it was part of the system and they just looked at me like i was nuts

So i got a free memory card and game
 
I work at best buy and i actually "asked the bus" which gives you the right answers to any questions you have.. If you did by the protection plan it will cover the rrod for 1 year then after that you have to ship it off to microsoft.
 
I used to work at Best Buy in customer service and they used to be a lot more relaxed with the policies then. If I were you I would still go into the store and try and if they don't swap it out and DEVO (trash) the system then just throw a fit til a manager comes over and approves it.
 
They replaced the Product Replacement Plan(PRP) with the Geek Squad Product Service Plan(PSP) at least a few years ago, which is why I stopped buying my consoles from Best Buy.

With the old plan, you were able to bring in the old system, have them test it in store and get a new one right on the spot. With the current program, you have to go through three attempts at a repair from I think one of their service centers before they will allow a swap out anymore.

They probably stopped the program due to many(including me) using the PRP to swap out our older model stuff for the latest revision right at the end of the two year warranty period. At least this way, they now have some shlep who's on the payroll anyway try tinkering with your system for a month or so before giving in and giving you a replacement.
 
For PC's I can see the no-lemon juice repair option. I saw a manager spoked to a person specifically about the black tie protection program. This was reguarding a Wii, they do not provide services to repair the Wii system. This will enable you to swap out for a brand new model, to fullfill their replacement service.

Also to clear things up about the Geek Squad service I did a quick search and got some answers so take a look here if your interested

http://forums.bestbuy.com/t5/Gaming...ty-Geek-Squad-Black-Tie-Protection/m-p/102794
 
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