European game retailer and no doubt winner of many a Concise Retailer Name award, Game, has apparently taken to removing certain Xbox 360 consoles from their shelves. To be fair though, only 20 GB and non-HDMI Xbox 360s are getting the boot, and a fair portion of those things shouldn’t have seen the light of retail to begin with. In fact, we applaud the initiative and we would have applauded it even more had they announced it the day they decided to sell used Xbox 360s in the first place.
“As of Saturday 3rd September we will not be selling Pre-owned Xbox 360 Cores, Arcades and 20GB non HDMIs. This is due to the high failure rate of the console and the difficulty and cost of repairing them. We will continue to trade these consoles in but they will need to be sent back to the DC as a regular faulty return where they will exit the business,” according to Game internal memo.
Reasons Behind the Decision
The decision to stop selling these specific models of Xbox 360 consoles stems from their notorious reputation for hardware failures. The Xbox 360, particularly the earlier models, was infamous for the “Red Ring of Death” (RROD), a general hardware failure indicated by three red lights around the power button. This issue was so widespread that it led to Microsoft extending the warranty for affected consoles and spending over a billion dollars on repairs and replacements.
The 20GB and non-HDMI models were among the earliest versions of the Xbox 360, and they lacked many of the improvements and fixes that were implemented in later models. These consoles were more prone to overheating and other hardware issues, making them less reliable and more costly to maintain. By removing these models from their shelves, Game is likely aiming to reduce the number of returns and repairs they have to handle, which can be both time-consuming and expensive.
Impact on Consumers and the Market
For consumers, this move could be seen as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it reduces the risk of purchasing a faulty console that could fail shortly after buying it. On the other hand, it limits the availability of cheaper, pre-owned consoles for those who might be looking for a more affordable entry point into the Xbox 360’s extensive library of games.
However, it’s important to note that Game is not completely abandoning the trade-in market for these older consoles. They will still accept them as trade-ins, but these units will be sent back to the distribution center as faulty returns and will not be resold. This ensures that customers who currently own these older models still have an option to trade them in for store credit or towards the purchase of a newer, more reliable console.
This decision also reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry towards prioritizing quality and reliability over simply offering the lowest possible prices. As the gaming market continues to evolve, retailers and manufacturers alike are increasingly focusing on providing better customer experiences, which includes ensuring that the products they sell are dependable and meet a certain standard of quality.
In conclusion, while the removal of 20GB and non-HDMI Xbox 360 consoles from Game’s shelves may be disappointing for some, it is ultimately a positive step towards improving the overall quality and reliability of the products available to consumers. By addressing the high failure rates and repair costs associated with these older models, Game is taking a proactive approach to better serve their customers and maintain their reputation as a trusted retailer in the gaming community.
Source Eurogamer
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