Mornelithe said:
Microsoft didn't just 'extend' their warranties 3 years OP. They were forced to in light of the fact that they released their hardware, with KNOWN manufacturing defects. The company knew about it, and they still released it. MS has admitted to as much themselves. They got caught fucking over the consumer, and rather than get bent over in court (which they most certainly would have, most courts these days, love sticking it to MS), they extended warranties.
Sorry Morne, but your opinion falls on deaf ears here.
Let me illustrate why by asking you a simple question.
What is better:
A company who shipped a product realizing there was a POTENTIAL for an issue (Microsoft knew there was a POTENTIAL, not an ACTUALITY of the RROD issue) and once the problem arises, they quickly address it, fix your system for FREE within 1 WEEK, including shipping YOU a box overnight express with all packing materials, then overnighting it back, AND tossing in a little something extra... ALL at their own EXPENSE..
or
A company that doesn't divulge ANY possible error on their part, even though one may exist, and then when their product that costs TWICE as much as the nearest competitor's product has a problem, they blame YOU, the SUN, the Mayan Civilization, Invasion by Dark Overlords from the Nexus of Sominus, and anything or anyone else OTHER than themselves as the source of the system's failure. Their usual response to these "issues" have widely been reported as being DECIDEDLY negative, which shouldn't come as a surprise considering the way Sony handles it's OTHER products. So even if the issue might have been reported a thousand times, YOU are told YOU have to pay HALF the cost of the next competitor's console sale price to have YOUR system repaired, wait 2 WEEKS or more to get it back, and STILL get left with the feeling that if anything goes wrong, SONY does not CARE about you.
Seriously, which one of those two sounds better? Who would you prefer to do business with in the long run, and assuming you are an Adult?
I like the PS3, and I've yet to have a problem with it's functionality, but I've dealt with Sony on a number of occasions over several different products and ultimately I am NOT nor have I ever been "Pleased" with their Customer service. In fact I'd rank their customer service as not just low, but PATHETIC by the standard provided by ANYONE other company in the industry (Consumer ELectronics, not just video games).
My opinion, mind you is more than supported... just check any source on the internet and you'll find far more disgruntled Sony customers on everything from their Laptops to the LCD Tv's to their Cameras than you will find "praise".
But this was all probably a waste of time. You're a die-hard Sony apologist for the most part, and thats your right. More power to you.
But don't tell ME that we're blowing things out of proportion or try to diminish Sony's shortcomings to me when it comes to customer service and cost for me the consumer. Because that sort of talk falls on deaf ears with me, just like anything that reflects negatively on Sony falls on deaf ears where you are concerned.
I've said it before and I stand by it... If my PS3 breaks due to some defect and Sony refuses to fix it, or tries to replace it with a NON-BC Ps3, they will lose me as a customer, permanently.
Instead of having to pay £100-150 every time your PS3 craps out, you could buy Sony's Continuous Play warranty for £4.99 a month.
If you're planning to keep your PS3 throughout it's supposed 10 year lifespan, then the extra £540 might work out cheaper then having to pay a separate repair cost ever time something goes wrong, it you think it will crap out more than once every 2 years.
So I'm supposed to pay them $5 a MONTH to warranty my system with a warranty that might not even be honored (you'll find that Sony is quite adept at proving you some how "violated" the terms of the warranty, or it involves a part not covered).
And yet people complain about paying a fee for Xbox Live.