I purchased an XBox 360 Gaming Console online from eCost.com on 1/21/08. The link to eCost.com was included at the top of www.woot.com. The link directed me to the specifications page for the gaming console. Nowhere on the page was it ever indicated that the model they were selling was refurbished. I have print-screens to back up my claim. Only after making the purchase did I see my online receipt with the item number: MCRS XBOX360PREM-R.
Apparently, the "-R" means refurbished - but this was not explained nor caught by me at the time. The package was received at my work address the following week. On Saturday, February 2, I opened the package only to see that it was not in it's original Microsoft XBox packaging. This is when I begain to realize that they sold me a refurbished machine. I plugged in the console and it did not work. "Red rings of death", as my research confirms they are called, occurred from the initial boot of the system.
A subsequent call to XBox support confirmed that this machine had been in for repair in the past and was no longer under warranty, but that I could purchase a warranty for $99. I immediately called e. Cost.com at their 877 toll-free number, within business hours only to hear a message telling me I was calling outside of business hours.
I then called their direct phone number where I was treated to a "quick busy" signal and no way to contact them. I then turned to email where I sent a note indicating that the product was defective and that I wished to be given an authorization return number.
As of today, February 6th, I have yet to be able to talk to anyone at eCost, nor have I received any reply to my email. I have just contacted my credit card company and have been granted a temporary credit while the issue is investigated. There is no way I would ever purchase any type of refurbished electronic item, most certainly not via the internet. If anyone else has encountered deceptive practices such as these from eCost.com, please let me know how you handled the issue.
Thank you.
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