Joystiq is reporting that Microsoft will no longer provide prepaid boxes to people that suffer defective Xbox 360s, including the Red Ring of Death plague. The new policy went into effect on May 26 “in an effort to expedite the repair process.” Customers will be able to receive an e-label that they can slap onto whatever box they use themselves.
They’ll still cover the cost of shipping; you just have to find your own box to use. It’s really annoying that we’ll have to go out and spend our own money now for a box. Sure, they don’t cost much, but it’s the principle of the matter. We shouldn’t even have to be going through this in the first place had the console actually been designed properly.
Pro tip: If you don’t want to spend cash on a box, go to a major department store like Best Buy and ask if they have any spare boxes in the back. They’re going to throw the box away anyway so you might as well use it to save some money. Plus, you’ll be recycling and that’s always a good thing!
