SONY Royally screws the concumer on PS3 warrenty replacement

[Daniel ~]

As some of you know I lost my PS3 Blue Ray drive and needed a warranty replacement. It arrived...it arrive missing the following and I'm just supposed to say..."Well if sony thinks that's fair...." This is a horrible rip off! I paid for the missing features and now I don't get them? I'd like to know what you all think...I'm taking this up with New egg and see what can be done.

Sent by Patti to Warranty company:After waiting for a week to hear back!

-----Original Message-----
From: Patti Edgar [mailto:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 1:38 PM
To: James Drake; xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: claim 2784996, Dec 6 '08

Good morning, James.

Writing this morning to resolve error made in warrantied product
replacement, ref subject claim. I left several voice messages requesting
your call back. Your greeting message suggests this email...

Daniel and I appreciate your rapid delivery of the replacement PS3 once
you had received our signed agreement by mail. Unfortunately, the new
PS3 unit delivered to Daniel lacks a number of significant features that
we chose and paid for with original purchase.

* no PS2 Compatible chip
* only 2 USB inputs instead of 4
* no CF input
* no Pro Connect
* no SD/ miniSD inputs

We will be contacting NewEgg directly today regarding these unacceptable
discrepancies, as we have not received any response from Service Net
over the past 2 weeks.

Our phones: xxxxxxxxxx or xxxxxxxxxx
WARNING: "your" system has a history of repeatedly popping up our
OBSOLETE phone number!

Best regards,
Daniel and Patti Edgar
AOAForums.com


From the warranty company at New Egg:

Patti,
This is the newest model being made by Sony. The unit you have is an older version that is no longer available. This is a decision that was made at Sony for whatever reason and the only options I have is to offer what is available on the market today. I do apologize for the inconvenience of this, but it is the newest model available.
Best regards,
James



From the Sony site:

What are the differences between the new 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 (Model #CECHP01) system and the previously released 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 (Model #CECHE01) system?

Both 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 models come standard with Cell Broadband Engine™ (Cell/B.E.), Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) player, built-in HDD, 1080p high-definition output, free PlayStation®Network access, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The new 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 (Model #CECHP01) system has 2 USB ports, whereas the previously released 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 (Model #CECHE01) system has 4 USB ports. In addition, the new 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 (Model #CECHP01) system does not have the multi-media memory card slots whereas the previously released 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 (Model #CECHE01) system includes memory card slots. Consumers can use a variety of after-market accessories for transferring their media to the PLAYSTATION®3 system via the USB ports.

The previous model of the 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 (Model #CECHE01) system was available in the PLAYSTATION®3 Motorstorm Bundle and the PLAYSTATION®3 Metal Gear Solid®4 Bundle. The new 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 (Model #CECHP01) system is available now as a stand alone system.

Not all of the PLAYSTATION®3 systems are backward compatible with PlayStation®2 games.

Please check the Knowledge Center to determine which PLAYSTATION®3 systems are backward compatible.

[cloasters]

Newer! Better! WTFH?! Ouch, sorry to learn this Dan.

[Rondog]

Thats really strange, here in Aus, PS3's under warranty are swapped with an IDENTICAL product. Sony Australia kept a small stockpile of all models, so as broken ones come in, they ship out a replacement. Then they repair the broken one and it goes to someone else.

This doesnt look promising for Sony at all.

[robbie]

Wish I was still tight with my ex mother in law. She's been at Sony for decades.

[Daniel ~]

They seem to have no interest whatsoever in my returning my 1st (Broken Blue Ray player) PS3. But if I can't find anyone to repair it and/or replace the drive it's a paper weight for games.

We are still "in negotiations", I'm trying to get them to spring for a 160 drive as compensation for what they admit is a bit of a swindle....they are just saying "it's Sony's swindle". I'll take it up with Newegg if I can get what I feel is fair from them...

But as Sony is behind this, very hard to gage what my chances might be....

BOY! Did Sony ever dummy down the PS3 inputs!

[robbie]

Still haven't tried a CD/DVD/Blue Ray drive cleaner disk?

[Daniel ~]

Actually no, How much do they cost and what is the likely hood,... I mean the drive can't even register the disk with the system, nothing happens when you put the disk in, it suck it up, but no disk shows up in the menu...

If you think it might work...?

[IceRaptor]

So Sorry to hear this Dan.

I've had quite a few problems with large companies before. Best way to solve them is to send detailed written letters to their complaints department with proof of postage, its worked for me quite a few times.

Hope you get this sorted.

[robbie]

It's worth a try. I've gotten one years (and I mean years) ago at Wally world for about $11. I'm sure target and Radio shack sells them as well. Best Buy probably sells them as well, but expect to pay about $25 for it.

[Pitch]

Swap the Blu-Ray drive from the old one and new one?

It is true that sony don't manufacture the PS3's with PS2 hardware emulation anymore, however, I'm certain that the newest batch have Software emulation. With regards to the inputs, it's just part of Sony's ongoing quest to cut the cost of the PS3, I think they're still selling them at a loss.

I can't see why sony can't simply take the defective PS3 in and swazp out the Blu-Ray Drive. The replacement drives can even be bought and replaced in house!

[Gizmo]

This is DEFINITELY a swindle. They aren't even giving you equivalent value! Ok, granted that they don't build the units with the built-in hardware emulation any more, that still ignores the fact that the unit they want to give you retails for $100 less than the unit you have! (After all, that's the reason for the feature difference).

In essence they are pulling a bait-and-switch, which is ILLEGAL.

[Daniel ~]

Sony is doing this on a WIDE scale! They no longer repair, they replace.... with a cheaper model...they no longer make the better class of PS3's.

I'm thinking they must be getting hit with failure on a large scale. I mean, they don't even want mine back, no proof what so ever that it's even broken other than my word over the phone. They have also changed there New egg warranty by switching over to one that does not repair, but replace once in a two year period, rather than the 5 years that was available to me a year ago.

They are making a lesser product now with much less of a warranty available... I think something is up with dying PS3's in the USA at least! What's it mean they just accept it died in 13 months without ANY proof!?!? Don't want to spend on shipping to even be sure it's dead? I LIVE in SEATTLE, we have a reasonable degree of electric repair expertise....yet NO ONE will fix in within 50 miles of me?

[Daniel ~]

Our latest ploy:

James,
Thank you for immediate reply.

Several weeks ago we discussed by phone the models now available. We asked about upgrading to 160 gig HD (would have paid the difference). We were not made aware that the 80 gig model is actually a huge downgrade.

We're simply looking to be made reasonably whole here in accordance with our Service Contract on the equipment we purchased and maintain the features we paid for. Sony's 160 gig machine is a much closer match in value, Sony considers that to be too big an upgrade??

So now we have an new but inferior Playstation, and the old one with replacement parts unavailable? Just want one machine...the right one. We are willing to pay the difference between our original purchase price of equipment and the current NewEgg price, for delivery of the 160 gig model.

We appreciate your working with us to bring this matter to a quick and satisfactory conclusion, James!

Best regards,
Daniel and Patti Edgar
AOAForums.com

We have also offered to take our money back and send them both machines... We'll see...?

[Aedan]

What company provides the warranty? It sounds like they're trying to make a bit on the side out of it!

[danrok]

If you get to keep the faulty unit, you now have some spares, which is something.

[IceRaptor]

Originally Posted by danrok

If you get to keep the faulty unit, you now have some spares, which is something.

just about to say the same

[Daniel ~]

Originally Posted by Áedán

What company provides the warranty? It sounds like they're trying to make a bit on the side out of it!

New Egg provides the opportunity to buy it at time of purchase. ( Has stopped offering the 5 year deal I have now.) It goes by the name of Service Net... just what the connection is with new Egg I'm unsure of, but I think they basically provide this service to many retailers.

[Daniel ~]

Originally Posted by danrok

If you get to keep the faulty unit, you now have some spares, which is something.

Many are my thoughts that run along these lines... But if I get some one to do what I'd be nervous doing, switching the good Blue Ray drive to the better PS3, I void the warranty on the new replacement PS3..

[hjason7812]

@Daniel ~
that is crazy what they did, but the 160gb is not much better then the new 80gb. they both have the new cell processors in them.

i had the old version of the 80gb also, and with in about 4 months something happened to it, it started to freeze and i got funny looking colors on screen when playing a game.
which that was probably the gpu, but i contacted sony and they sent me a coffin and i sent it out to them.
with in 3 days i received my new 80gb ps3, and it was the old version.
but way way better in stability and speed, it also has the bwc for ps2.
but i never use it, i think that is why sony took it out because not many people use it.
or it could be what is messing up the ps3 who knows.
but if anything happens to mine again i am screwed i am out of warranty now.
i did not have money to buy an extended warranty when i bought it.
well i did but i also bought an lcd tv with it.

so i hope you can get the 160gb version which is the same amount of money as the old 80gb version.

as for why they took out the isb ports and the memory card readers i have no idea.

i am sure there is a reason for it.
i heard the 160gb is dropping like flies but that is just hear say.
no real proof, might be just xbox fan rumors.

good luck

[Daniel ~]

Thanks for the valuable input hjason7812! Except for the hard drive, it seems that they are now Identical, so basically there just have different hard drive sizes now. Rather than a premium model. Thanks for your support!

This is a newer cell pros.?