Returning 360 Bundle to Costco [Use Shopping Discussions Forum]

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SpecTrE3353

SpecTrE3353

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Hey guys. I did a search on the CAG forums and came up with a few threads on this topic but all I got out of the one I posted in was a rude response. So I figured I would try asking in the proper forum here:

My 360 just recently started acting up and RROD'd on me. I originally bought it 1.5 years ago from Costco in a bundle that contained a Premium 360, PGR3, a Play n Charge kit and an extra controller. I know that I can return this bundle for a refund because I do have the receipt and this is Costco's policy. The question(s) I have are:

(1) Can I return the bundle without PGR3? Will they give partial refunds on bundles? I already traded PGR3 away here on the forums and no longer own it.

(2) Is there any way to keep my saved game/XBLA information from my HDD? I know I can redownload the games because they are attached to my XBL tag but do I have to go and shell out $40 for a memory card to keep my saves? Is there any other way? Since Costco gives refunds and NOT exchanges, I was considering just going out and buying a new premium and swapping the HDD's to solve this but I'm not sure if this is ethically acceptable nor am I sure if that will even work (ie: does the software on the HDD know which console it is supposed to be attached to?).

I apologize if this has been asked numerous times but I did try using the forum search before creating this new thread. Please don't bother replying with a rude response if that is all you have to share. Thanks to anyone that can offer some insight/advice and has dealt with this sort of situation before.
 
Well I think you need to e-mail or call Costco's customer service to get the real answers because I've heard loads of things regarding Costco's return policy with 360's.

Again here are the things I have heard before: Costco is no longer accepting 360's as part of their normal refund policy; you don't have to return the game(s) or accessory(s) that came with the bundle, just the console; you will not get a cash or store credit return, only a straight exchange for a new console unless the console you have is not in stock.

Now let me stress that you need to contact Costco first before you do anything. Even an e-mail should get you the answers you're looking for as I have e-mailed multiple questions to their CS department and have received quick and helpful responses. Good luck!
 
I've had two 360 consoles with Costco, and have gone through this twice with them.

Let me address your points as best I can from my experience with it.

(1) You have to return the bundle to them with all of the same items you purchased it with. If it came with PGR3, a P&C and an extra controller, you have to bring all of that back, including all the cables, when you go do the return. They won't take it back without it. When I did my first return, I forgot to return the headset and the Ethernet cable, though they tend to only look for the "big" items out of the bundle, which are the console w/HD and video cables, controller(s), games, and any bundled accessories.

(2) When I returned my first console with them, I had the same issue you did, I wanted to keep my HD and all of my saved content. They did the return, and after I purchased the new console, I went to the CS desk and cracked open the new bundle pack. I gave them the hard drive off the newly purchased console and put my old hard drive on the newly purchased console. I had to go through this the second time around, though I had a 120GB drive on it, so I had to do the same thing with my other dead 360. They shouldn't have an issue with it, though if you explain the situation to them, they shouldn't raise an eyebrow about it. The HDD doesn't care which console it's attached to, as it doesn't have any information related to the console on it. Anything console-specific is pulled from the console itself.

Some other info:
(3) When they did my first return, they gave me purchase price + tax on a cash card, so I would be forced into buying something else there. I'd expect the same behavior for your return.

(4) When they did my second return, the cash card system was down, so they had to give me cash for the return, which I did end up going elsewhere to buy, as they didn't have the HDMI Falcon systems yet at that point. That was a rarity, though you may end up with cash if the cash card system isn't working correctly.

Hope this helps clear it up.
 
Great responses guys. I already did try contacting them by phone but the lady who answered didn't seem to know what she was talking about. I think I will go into the store with my stuff and try to find someone in person who knows how to handle things the way shrike described. Thanks a lot for your help!
 
One thing I'd like to clarify, on reading Pck21's post. My returns were done in August 2007 and October 2007, so please keep that in mind in case Costco's policy had changed since when I did mine.

The thing that made me take my cash and go elsewhere was a CSR that blackmarked my account for some judgment she made about my returning of two 360's in 2 months' time. I ended up fixing the situation after making my displeasure known, though I chalked that up to an isolated incident of a CSR going off the deep end. I've continued to shop Costco since that point, if you were wondering. Often and regularly, in fact.

I know their electronics policy has changed from when I did my returns, mainly because of rampant abuse by people trying to do "upgrades" with their unlimited return policy. Computers and TV's were two of the bigger items that had newer adjusted policies from the "unlimited" policy on returns.

Link to the costco.com website stating their return policy:
http://www.costco.com/Service/FeaturePageLeftNav.aspx?ProductNo=11204333

Game consoles aren't listed in any specific terms on that page, and I didn't see anything different when I was in there last Sunday. I'd expect them to do as I indicated, though you won't know until you get there. I'd suggest bringing everything with you and go from there.
 
[quote name='shrike4242']I know their electronics policy has changed from when I did my returns, mainly because of rampant abuse by people trying to do "upgrades" with their unlimited return policy. Computers and TV's were two of the bigger items that had newer adjusted policies from the "unlimited" policy on returns. [/quote]

-Because of this stuff that shrike mentioned, it was changed to a 2nd year warranty provided Costco. That pretty much goes for all electronics, as you'll notice the stickers on everything.

-1 1/2 years ago would have been like end of Jan '07 or beginning of Feb '07, right? The change in their policy went into effect end of Feb '07 on the West Coast and should've been nationwide by mid-March '07. Either way, unlimited warranty or 2nd year warranty, Costco should take care of your system.

-My friend was not so lucky. They checked for PGR3, the headset, turned the system on and hooked it up to a display TV (this store also got audited for liquor sales, so they're anal about EVERYTHING).

-Shrike, that's awesome you got your HD back. I would've wanted that on my Elite but CC is gay. Anyway, the Costco across the street wouldn't let my friend swap either. I helped him out by giving him a mem card and letting him transfer some data over to my 120. 20 GB -> mem card. Swap 20 GB for 120 GB. Mem card -> 120 GB. Delete data (except for his profile). Swap 120 GB for 20 GB. Repeat. It was a pain in the ass, but he really wanted all of his crap.
 
So I thought I would give you guys an update on how this was resolved:

Went out and bought PGR3 used at Gamestop for $8 since it was part of the original bundle and I had since traded it away. Brought all the parts of my bundle back to Costco and asked for a refund. The manager told me he just had the same 3RROD problem with his 360 last week and he felt for me. We talked about Dead Rising for a few minutes while they processed the return and they gave me a gift card for the FULL amount of what I paid almost 2 years ago (over $500). I went back around into the store and bought a new 20GB bundle with an extra wireless controller and charge pack for $350. I went back to customer service and they let me swap my HDD so I could keep my old one.

In summary, I got:
- $150 extra in a Costco gift card
- A new 360 with HDMI (my old one wasn't a Falcon) that isn't a crappy MS refurb
- My same hard drive, with absolutely no hassle

I feel almost like I did something illegal or morally wrong because I made out so well but I didn't. The customer service at Costco was fantastic... the returns lady and the couple managers I dealt with were great to deal with and I made out WAY better than having to go through the MS support process.

In case anyone is curious, the Costco I dealt with is the one located in King of Prussia, PA.
 
[quote name='SpecTrE3353']In summary, I got:
- $150 extra in a Costco gift card
- A new 360 with HDMI (my old one wasn't a Falcon) that isn't a crappy MS refurb
- My same hard drive, with absolutely no hassle

I feel almost like I did something illegal or morally wrong because I made out so well but I didn't. The customer service at Costco was fantastic... the returns lady and the couple managers I dealt with were great to deal with and I made out WAY better than having to go through the MS support process.[/quote]

Congrats! And no, you didn't really do anything illegal. You're supposed to get the full amount you paid, anywhere you go really. My 360 Elite from CC w/ their replacement plan got me $479.99 + tax as a giftcard, even though the system dropped to $449.99 when I got a RROD. Warranties should offer the initial payment amount if that's the case, but always read the fine print to see if there's a depreciation value.

And the hard drive isn't much of a problem when you think about it. They usually don't have a problem with you keeping the old accessories, unless MS is really checking serial numbers on hard drives to match the systems. I doubt that, though.
 
Wow, Costco seems to have the best warranties, I knew I should've bought the 360 there. =p People that have bought warranties elsewhere (including me) usually get told to send it to MS if you end up with the RRoD. I'm jealous. haha
 
[quote name='SpecTrE3353']So I thought I would give you guys an update on how this was resolved:

Went out and bought PGR3 used at Gamestop for $8 since it was part of the original bundle and I had since traded it away. Brought all the parts of my bundle back to Costco and asked for a refund. The manager told me he just had the same 3RROD problem with his 360 last week and he felt for me. We talked about Dead Rising for a few minutes while they processed the return and they gave me a gift card for the FULL amount of what I paid almost 2 years ago (over $500). I went back around into the store and bought a new 20GB bundle with an extra wireless controller and charge pack for $350. I went back to customer service and they let me swap my HDD so I could keep my old one.

In summary, I got:
- $150 extra in a Costco gift card
- A new 360 with HDMI (my old one wasn't a Falcon) that isn't a crappy MS refurb
- My same hard drive, with absolutely no hassle

I feel almost like I did something illegal or morally wrong because I made out so well but I didn't. The customer service at Costco was fantastic... the returns lady and the couple managers I dealt with were great to deal with and I made out WAY better than having to go through the MS support process.

In case anyone is curious, the Costco I dealt with is the one located in King of Prussia, PA.[/QUOTE]

Ah, a local guy. I love that costco and they've always been good to me.
 
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