Was I stupid for getting EB Games warranty?

Ultimate Matt X

Ultimate Matt X

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Okay, I had some credit and decided what the hell I'll get a Nintendo DS. But since places like EB, Babbages, and the like don't have lax return policies like Walmart, Kmart, and Target (I think) I didn't really wanna go without a warranty. Its overpriced, but I talked myself into it since I got trades and all that.

Anyway, I opened the DS and it actually was defective. Nothing to worry DS adopters and I still highly recommend it, but I had a few burned out pixels on the screen. So I'll take the thing back to EB soon.

Would I have been better just dealing with Nintendo or the fact I can just walk in a store and return it do you think it was worth it? Technically, I can still return the warranty and I think I can still return the DS for another one.

Should I just deal with them first before I have to mess with Nintendo or just exchange for another DS and drop the warranty? Is Nintendo pretty good about paying for shipping and repair when you send something in under warranty or do you think since its minor they might not be as easy to deal with as the store?

Also, do EB warranties let me return to any store?
 
Absolutely not, you were not stupid. I would get a replacement warranty for a few extra bucks at EB on a Nintendo DS. I'm not sure about returning to any store.
 
Yeah. You can return it to any store. They now electronically track all warranties, so all you have to do is call their number on your warranty and they give you a return authorization number good for any store. Or so I've heard.
 
It was 15 which was a little steep, but since I had a game to trade that wasn't worth crap anywhere else or I didn't wanna build up credit elsewhere I didn't mind the cost.

You think Nintendo would be more of a pain to deal with so it was probably worth the money just to save the aggravation?
 
Well, I personally wouldn't recommend getting a warranty. First off, most stores like EB will let you return anything within 30 days of purchase. So, if the unit was in deed defective, then you didn't need to buy an extended warranty just to return it to the store and exchange it for another one as long as you return it within 30 days of getting it.

Second, Nintendo warranties their products for a year. So, if, for some reason you didn't return the defective DS to EB within the 30 days of buying it, you could still contact Nintendo within a year of buying it and they would replace it for you.

I almost never buy warranties for Nintendo things because Nintendo is the only company that gives you a 1 year warranty. Both the XBOX and PS2 only have 90 day warranties, although the new mini PS2 offers a 1 year warranty now.

Warranties are pure profit for most stores since more often than not people never take advantage of them. When I bought my DS EB tried to sell me on their warranty. I think a one year warranty was at like $10-$15 and a 2 year was $20-$25(I can't remember the exact numbers). Still, since Nintendo warranties the DS for one year, then buying the one year from EB is throwing money away. Buying the 2 year might be more beneficial, but then is it really worth spending the additional $25 or so just to extend your warranty out a year? Chances are if there are any defects in a system, they'll show up within in the first year, especially on one that doesn't have any moving parts.
 
See a thread from a few weeks ago, a CAGer kept getting a defective DS and Nintendo ended up replacing his defective DS with a refurb instead of a brand new one.

You probably want to get it replaced at the store if they'll give you another brand new one instead of attempting to repair it or giving you a refurb.
 
[quote name='Ultimate Matt X']It was 15 which was a little steep, but since I had a game to trade that wasn't worth crap anywhere else or I didn't wanna build up credit elsewhere I didn't mind the cost.

You think Nintendo would be more of a pain to deal with so it was probably worth the money just to save the aggravation?[/quote]

i had a defective wavebird and nintendo was very easy to deal with. no need for a reciept, and they immediately sent me a pre-paid packing slip to my e-mail address

if you do get a warranty make sure you get a 2 year one instead of a 1 year one, since nintendo covers all products for a year
 
I believe EB changed their warranty to extend beyond the manufacturers warranty, so in the case of the DS, if it does have a 1 year warranty, then a two year EB warranty is actually good for 3 years. Might want to double check that to be sure though.
 
dschroll makes some good points, but I think I'm glad I got it after hearing the refurbished story. Though I kinda wish I would have been offered the two year warranty. They didn't bring that up at all. Maybe when I swap this one I'll try to do that.

I wonder if I should just try to exchange this one within the 14 days without the warranty number or if I should get it anyway and still maybe try to get the longer warranty and new system.
 
You can exchange within 14 days without an authorization number and you can also return your 1 year warranty and get a two year.
 
I may try that, though the bad thing would be if I don't get there within a few weeks it would drag it out. I wonder if I can get the authorization # and not use it and I could still return the warranty.
 
[quote name='dschroll']I almost never buy warranties for Nintendo things because Nintendo is the only company that gives you a 1 year warranty. Both the XBOX and PS2 only have 90 day warranties, although the new mini PS2 offers a 1 year warranty now.

Warranties are pure profit for most stores since more often than not people never take advantage of them. When I bought my DS EB tried to sell me on their warranty. I think a one year warranty was at like $10-$15 and a 2 year was $20-$25(I can't remember the exact numbers). Still, since Nintendo warranties the DS for one year, then buying the one year from EB is throwing money away. Buying the 2 year might be more beneficial, but then is it really worth spending the additional $25 or so just to extend your warranty out a year? Chances are if there are any defects in a system, they'll show up within in the first year, especially on one that doesn't have any moving parts.[/quote]

Great advice. I also didnt know the new PSTwo's came with a full year warranty now. That freakin rocks. Makes me more glad I passed up on EB's warranty when I got that.
 
Extended service plans are fine, if the the store that sells them, honors them when the shit hits the fan.

Best Buy and CompUSA are worthless when it comes to honoring thier plans.
 
well i had to buy one for my xbox b/c i didnt want my new one to die on me. i think its worth the 15 bucks and the eb manager told me that if your xbox gets run over by a 18-wheeler, u can still return it with ur warranty and get a new xbox for free
 
[quote name='screwkick']Extended service plans are fine, if the the store that sells them, honors them when the shit hits the fan.

Best Buy and CompUSA are worthless when it comes to honoring thier plans.[/quote]
Actually BestBuy has one of the best extended warranty plans out there. Bought a PSP (Protection Service Plan) plan on my LCD moniter and I've replaced it 3 times because of 1 dead pixel (because that is their policy). I've even got a $50 rebate on one of them for some reason. :D
 
I warrenty on a Nintendo product is dumb anyways, Nintendo will pretty much fix a system even after the warrenty ended for little price.
 
Okay well I've decided the warranty was worth it, just not sure now if I should just return it within the 14 days without the warranty and buy the longer warranty when I do or just wait and deal with the warranty down the road.

Do you think they'll give me problems returning it if I've already called about the return authorization number?
 
If you get something from EB that's DOA, they'll swap it out without making you use your warranty. So the warranty will transfer to the new DS you exchange for.

And I buy the replacement plan on just about anything electronic, because most stores like EB say they'll swap out the item regardless of what happens to it. I bought it on my Logitech wireless controller, for example. Before my year's up, I'll take it back & swap it for a new one. :)
 
Do you guys think that this first run of DS production is of high enough quality to last? I got mine today and the touch-screen has 2 messed up pixels(one is blue, one is red). I have had my original GB since release and a Game Gear and there are no missing pixels on either. :whistle2:k
Will the DS pixels be more likely to shaq-fu up in a year or two? I really love this system and am looking forward to a lot of games coming out next year, but all these problems really bother me. Of the 4 people I know who received a DS for Christmas, 3 of the 4 also had 2-3 missing pixels! Is there a problem with the overall construction of the machine that will lead to pixel problems in the future?
 
onikage,

I'm not sure. Hopefully, they all don't start crapping out in a few years.

I just thought of another question. If say I use the EB warranty for a year and then my DS dies out before it ends. Will the Nintendo warranty cover the new one for a year?
 
There is nothing wrong with picking up a warranty. For whatever reason, the sub on my Dell speakers broke 3 years after I had made the purchase, and they replaced it with a newer, better model, one. I also once purchased a Nomad from EB and the employee was very proud to inform me that I could go outside the store, smash the thing on the floor, come back in, and still get a new one.

As for the DS crapping out in a few years, I really doubt it, but anything is possible. However, Nintendo repaired my NES several years after purchase for the cost of shipping. I am unsure what their policy is right now, but in general, Nintendo isn't known for making easily breakable products.
 
Well, to update everyone I do feel like a dummy for buying the warranty. A little anyway.

My DS had problems so I had to return it. I didn't realize that EB's warranty was a one time return and not an actual warranty as such. So I took my DS back and got another one, but if I'd known it was only once I would have kept it until the end of the year and then swapped considering the spots on the screen weren't a major problem.

Are most warranties like this? How do places like Best Buy handle it?

I guess I'm dealing with Nintendo now if this DS goes bad.
 
dont knew all new consoles have a company warranty on them? cuz i know that the pstwo has one. the CC employee tried to trick me into putting another $25 to buy a 2 year warranty. good thing im an informed CAG and knew bout sony's 1 year warranty
 
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