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[Evil Ryu]

I've been doing installs for ages (PS1, PS2, Gamecube, Xbox) and have been contemplating offering 360 installs with the NME v1.2 chips - but because I'm always reading about the problems people are having with their 360s (modded or not) I'm a little hesitant to start doing 360s as well.

I always tell people if they ever have a problem with their console - whether it's due to the modchip or not - to bring it back to me and I'll see what I can do. If it requires parts (eg - laser), then I'll order them in but they have to cover the cost of the parts & shipping. If I've modded the machine, then I'll fix the machine free of charge (labour).

So you can see what my dilemma is. I'd hate to start modding 360s, only to spent a pile of time fixing them (if it's even possible) if they start crapping out.

Any thoughts on this?

[rrg]

I don't do installs on consoles but have a small side biz.

I agree with you. The product is not worth working on it until it's stable and free of problems.

The number one thing to you must always be customer satisfaction. Which sounds like you got it covered for now.

But your reputation can be reuined in a minute via the web if you have one cronic problem box and one unhappy customer. The problems in the box are plentiful, my friend is on his 4th returned xbox 360 to MS (never moddded) in 1 year. He plays a lot.

If you decide to try it I would recommend to create a hand out to give to each customer of the history and known problems with the error codes explained, of the system upfront. This way the user will not be quick to blame you if they see the error codes. Also include some helpful tips and what to try, to fix the known problem. Like "Be sure the xbox is not in a closed cabinet" or "add an external cooling fan" etc. Not everyone is versed in what to look for when the box doesn't work.

Basically have them try a list of things out before they come back with "It's broke, fix it".

I'm sure you have alot of experience and can come up with some nice tricks and what to look for to help your customers out before they come back with the real problems related to your work.

Oh, yea you can also include web site links on your hand out to let your customers find other useful information if you don't want to write a long extensive list.

You want to spend your time installing not explaining problems that MS has to every customer.

Hope that helps.

This post has been edited by rrg: Jan 19 2007, 03:55 PM

[Evil Ryu]

Thanks for your insight rrg. That's exactly what I'm concerned about. The 360s just aren't 'stable' enough, and I can see an installer getting a pile of them back with customers complaining that the 360 isn't working - but not necessarily due to a modchip install, but either way I'd feel obligated to look at & fix the machine if I can.

I guess 'obligated' isn't really the right word... but as far as an installer offering any type of warranty, this is an obvious concern.

[Markrracer]

Well a solution is to give them a 15 day warrenty.  Most problem will show up early if it's your fault and gives you an out for other xbox problems.  Just let them know that 360 have gone bad ahead of time and that there is nothing you can do about it.  Most people are reasonable if they know the risks ahead of time.

I also suggest do firmware mods instead of the modchip.  It's not only easier to do but also cheaper.  Plus it would be easy to get/keep the dvd key just incase it's need to be replaced in the future.

[Evil Ryu]

QUOTE(Markrracer @ Jan 19 2007, 12:45 PM)

Well a solution is to give them a 15 day warrenty.  Most problem will show up early if it's your fault and gives you an out for other xbox problems.  Just let them know that 360 have gone bad ahead of time and that there is nothing you can do about it.  Most people are reasonable if they know the risks ahead of time.

I also suggest do firmware mods instead of the modchip.  It's not only easier to do but also cheaper.  Plus it would be easy to get/keep the dvd key just incase it's need to be replaced in the future.

Yeah,... I'd like to be able to do the firmware stuff, but my PC doesn't have SATA and it's buried in a desk - so it's not very accessible. I was thinking of getting a PCI SATA card and then just get an extension cable from the back of my PC to the top of my desk, but from what I've read, the PCI SATA cards aren't fully compatible with all of the dvdrom drives. But I can definitely see an advantage to having the dvd keys - just in case!

[reddwarfusa]

I do the same thing about offering a warranty, albeit 7 days instead of 15, BUT I also use my own warranty labels, that are tamperproof to ensure I don't get ripped off as well (it has happened!)

I would stick with the DVD flash as well, save the extra expense/risk of opening up teh drive itself.

Just MHO

[finalfantasy7]

With all that said, anyone know a good user or website that offers the moding service? I recently gotten interested in the Xbox scene after the embrassing PS3 release, so I am now in market for a Premium consle with modchip. Used or new, I am looking for one with the chip already installed.

Also, if I may suggest I think you should deal with customers only of your choice who some knowledge of the 360 problems and how the whole modding work . I work in a job where I have to often deal with unhappy customers and I always wish I could choose who I had to work with. You may not get as much money as others who take in any custom but with good reputation I am sure you can charge a little extra and also afford to have a 30 day warranty. I know the whole process of adding the modchip and the different aspects of the whole process, but unfortunately I am not very technically skilled and I don't want to tamper with a $400 machine. I am sure there are quite a few people like me out there who are looking for skilled modders, instead of just the cheapest price.

[Heet]

I tell them there is no guarentee and that it is AS IS.  I do the mod, then power it on for them to show them that it works.  Thats it.


What happens on the way to their house and after is up to them.



Nice and clean.  

[Evil Ryu]

I wish I could do that Heet,... but I just don't feel comfortable 'washing my hands' of a customer once I've got their $$$. I guess my best bet would be to explain the inherent problems with the 360 so that each customer understands that it's possible that there could be issues with their 360 down the road that aren't related to the modchip - but this really is no different than any other console I mod, and I can still see myself spending a bunch of extra time at least looking at any machine that fails. I dunno.... we'll see...

[philoushka]

I have been struggling with this topic for a while. Initially it was the idea that I would let the 360 chips mature, and allow time to get to a stable installer process (defined processes, repeatable steps, low inventory).

The ability to drop a customer once their chip/hack is installed is difficult. It's a psychological thing for the customer (in my experience) - you are their expert, and dropping them with no support will likely leave a bad taste for them, and could spread on forums, websites, etc, thereby killing your business.

Ryu is right, I think - it really is no different with any other mod installation - the chip COULD fry, wire dislodge, whatever. The confidence is solid in the Xbox1 chips. As an installer, you can be confident that there aren't any showstoppers. With the 360, it's still not solidified.

I have got to agree in principle with Heet- as soon as it's displayed in a working state, out the door, then the customer is on their own. I always say: "It's as durable as it was on the day you bought it; and if you treat it like gold, nothing should go wrong."

Warranty labels (tamper evident?) are an excellent idea - what's the cost on something like that?

Emails are slowly coming to me with requests on 'do you do the 360 yet'? The demand is out there, and the naive people assume that the Xbox mod process is stable, surely the 360 modding is stable as well.

I am looking for installers comments on providing flash vs chip, as of today. What's the least hassle for the customer, today? Is Microsoft detecting modded firmwares?  Are they being overwritten or bricked?

[NeoDarkSaver]

I just do this for free for my friends... I only use Spider solderless chip on a original xbox, i use NME for those who still wants to play online and firmware flash for hose who dont.