[quote name='retail sucks']I'm getting a "supposedly" new 360 according to the serial number & a MS rep.
The new serial #:
*******733**
7 for the year made &
33 for the week made. That would be between the 13th & the 19th of August 2007 I think.
My 360 died on the 8th of August, made 8/06. I called MS and a box was ordered and sent next day. I received it the following Tuesday, and I dropped it off at my local UPS store the nex day(Wednesday). MS received it in Texas the following Tuesday. It sat there a week and the serial number changed the next wednesday evening.
I got home late that night. MS's phone service closed so I called the next day (thursday)and they confirmed it shipped & that it was new but the rep obviously didn't know the circumstances as to why it was a new unit, but only said "that usually means it was un-fixable".
I also included a note with my 360 when I sent it back, saying.
This adult owned 360 has been well taken care of. I'd like the same unit back instead of someone elses refurbished 360 "if possible".
Anyway last night I was on Goozex and I noticed a GamePro article called:
Microsoft not fixing 360s, only sending replacements
http://www.gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=132168
IDK about MS sending faulty 360's but It could be true that their starting to send new units possibly to get rid of their existing stock to move onto the Falcon SKU.
UPDATE
My 360 is currently in Memphis, TN and I should have it by wednesday-thursday.
What a coincidence someone from Memphis just posted after me, LOL[/QUOTE]
update: September 5th
I received my 360 from MS today. It has a date of 8/16/07 with no HDMI, no new BenQ drive, but instead the Hitachi drive which is what my unit had when I sent it in. I think it's just a refurb & possibly the someone I sent in. And This thing is

ing dirtier than hell too.
My brother is on the phone giving them hell right now.