Should the hardware warranty be one year?

[Maggot_Brain]

Yes, folks, I'd like to get the better designed, better manufactured hardware that is sure to be available in the future. I believe that the hardware warranty needs to be extended to one year to ease the concerns many of us have.

Any part you send in now is more than likely to be replaced with the same shoddy part and will just break again. And then the warranty runs out and we're hosed? That is unacceptable, people. EA/Harmonix needs to do what Microsoft did with the Xbox 360 and extend the hardware warranty to one year.

[pdawg17]

Now that we know all the hardware sux...of course it should be :)

[Maggot_Brain]

Now that we know all the hardware sux...of course it should be :)

Let us.... communicate that with HMX!

[jeremiahtmckay84]

Yea, I have to second the notion of extending the warranty service. Even though I bought the two year replacement plan with Wal-Mart, whose to say they wont do the same thing as Best Buy did to another member and say, "Too bad, cant replace it with rough playing."

Even though I have faith that EA wont send out more crap guitars, I would still like to see that warranty get extended to at least 180 days. Because lets face it, they are paying A LOT for the shipping (twice), and if it gets outside of the warranty.... then I'll just buy a stand alone piece of equipment when it comes out, swap it, return it, then get a refund. They'll get it back one way or another, so why not make it easy for both producer and consumer.

[Ruffy]

I asked EA today (called in for a drum and guitar replacement)

The question I asked(what happens when If the replacement is broken and I'm beyond the 60 days since you just said the warranty period is just the 60 days from purchased)

Well that kindof floored the guy I was talking to, he asked if it was ok if I was put on hold and he would find out, 5 minutes later he came back and said EA right now isn't sticking to the warranty period and that they want everyone to have a working setup so even if you're beyond 60 days you can expect them to honor replacements.

[invisible21]

I asked EA today (called in for a drum and guitar replacement)

The question I asked(what happens when If the replacement is broken and I'm beyond the 60 days since you just said the warranty period is just the 60 days from purchased)

Well that kindof floored the guy I was talking to, he asked if it was ok if I was put on hold and he would find out, 5 minutes later he came back and said EA right now isn't sticking to the warranty period and that they want everyone to have a working setup so even if you're beyond 60 days you can expect them to honor replacements.

That is definitely encouraging.

I have to agree with the longer warranty period though for a few reasons:

1) It's a hardware warranty. Most expensive electronics have 90 day - 1 year warranty.

2) There's an obvious problem with some of the hardware.

3) It seems like some of the problems occur with more aggressive playing (i.e. the drum pedal). I don't know about everybody else, but it will be a while before I can handle expert on drums and really put that thing through it's paces.

[Melkite445]

Yeah, at least one (1) year is a very standard thing for the electronics industry in general. Hell, my Hard drive has a FIVE (5) year warranty on it, and its nothing special. What else? my memory has a LIFETIME limited warranty on it, and my computer stays on 24/7. LCD Monitor, 2 years, heck even my super-cheapo power supply has a 2 year warranty!

And I'm happy EA is claiming to support the equipment past 60 days, but I'll believe it when I see it on my 3rd or 4th guitar/drum return.

Either way, the pooch has been screwed somewhere. Badly.

Poor pooch.

[Maggot_Brain]

3) It seems like some of the problems occur with more aggressive playing (i.e. the drum pedal). I don't know about everybody else, but it will be a while before I can handle expert on drums and really put that thing through it's paces.

Mine broke on hard with regular, non-excessive violence.

[Ruffy]

I knew something was wrong with the drums when I couldnt get past the tutorial. No matter how many times I tried it I couldnt get the red pad to work for me.

Also they wanted to hold-charge me $125 per return, Bringing the total in hold-money to $250.
Don't see how thats acceptable especially during holiday seasons.

My Advice, ignore the sticker and return to store for another one. Bestbuys here have plenty of them. I understand the reason to hold the money, and they were clear on that from the start, but considering they're holding more than the game is worth in stores, that just isn't right.

[Maggot_Brain]

I noticed all the posts about giving us a free game if our guitar breaks. That's nice but won't do a thing for us after the measly 60 day hardware warranty expires. Vote!!

[steelcurtain187]

Definitely!

[Koneesha]

Yes, folks, I'd like to get the better designed, better manufactured hardware that is sure to be available in the future. I believe that the hardware warranty needs to be extended to one year to ease the concerns many of us have.

Any part you send in now is more than likely to be replaced with the same shoddy part and will just break again. And then the warranty runs out and we're hosed? That is unacceptable, people. EA/Harmonix needs to do what Microsoft did with the Xbox 360 and extend the hardware warranty to one year.
yes i agree.

[Maggot_Brain]

Let's keep this on page one!

[mingo]

at some point i thought the hardware problems wasn't as bad as people made them sound. I have been playing the heck out of mine with all my friends none stop for quite a few days and then all of the sudden my guitar doesn't work. now i fear that the replacement might eventually break, or maybe my drum set will break after the 60day period. i think harmonix/ea should definitely extend the warranty beyond a year to prevent buyers from buying accessories (when they become available) and then swapping units and returning the broken ones at retail locations.

[Bluvox]

I noticed all the posts about giving us a free game if our guitar breaks. That's nice but won't do a thing for us after the measly 60 day hardware warranty expires. Vote!!

There are a lot of assumption on this thread. The PS2 had a "measly" 30-day warrenty to it, if I remember right. Most consumer electronics have a 30-90 day warrenty against defects.

EA is already saying that they are being responsible with it, and being aggressive to them when they are already taking care of the issues could be counter-productive. First - it's the holiday season - most companies allow returns until January 31st because of gifts given. Likewise most companies will extend warranties accordingly, since they don't really know exactly when you got the hardware per-se. Second - some folks in other threads have mentioned that they asked the EA folks about the beyond 60 day and the managerial response was that they want people having working equipment. Third, there are reports that the replacement guitars are the "Gen 4" or whatever with a totally new strum mechanism.

QA problems are always the nightmare of a company. EA is the size company that has the financial ability to actually do the right thing, and so far they are proving that they will. So I'd say let's see what they do instead of fearing it.

[Redempshin]

EA/Harmonix have already stated that the first run of the guitar products had the strum problems and future runs do not have it. I've made 10+ calls to support and one of the few things I got a consistant answer on was that we'd be getting newer run products where this problem was resolved. (But yes, 60 days is a scary low number).

[Maherj]

I think if the models are considered 'recalls' they can replace them even after the warranty periods. So even though we have a 60 day warranty, if the guitar/drum model is considered 'recalled', they can honor it even after the 60 days.

Happens alot.

[spyd4r]

Yes, folks, I'd like to get the better designed, better manufactured hardware that is sure to be available in the future. I believe that the hardware warranty needs to be extended to one year to ease the concerns many of us have.

Any part you send in now is more than likely to be replaced with the same shoddy part and will just break again. And then the warranty runs out and we're hosed? That is unacceptable, people. EA/Harmonix needs to do what Microsoft did with the Xbox 360 and extend the hardware warranty to one year.

Who would say no? lol

[TreoRock_]

Can HMX employees vote too? Anyway, for sure we do need an extended warranty for at least a year specially for the drums and the guitar which seem to have a serious build problem.

[stealthRT]

completely agree...my guitar lasted a little bit longer than most, but by only 3 or 4 hours :'( I'm doing the replacement tonight when i get home, in case it takes them forever to send me a new one and i find that it's broke and i have to do it again......cant decide if i should do the drums or not.

[Maggot_Brain]

QA problems are always the nightmare of a company. EA is the size company that has the financial ability to actually do the right thing, and so far they are proving that they will. So I'd say let's see what they do instead of fearing it.

By all means, let's see what they do. But I'm not going to put much into verbal promises given by tech support. A press release is needed with details.

[SplashFrog]

With the way things are going, though they have shown some promise on their end I still think it should be a 1 year warranty since these are semi-expensive peripherals that are gonna get a lot of use.

[dinga6969]

I completely agree that the warranty needs to be upped. Either up the warranty to a full year or at the very least, based on the widespread problem with the guitars they should do a full recall so that the few guitars that are bound to last more than 60 days are left to break after the warranty expires. Fair is fair and since they've acknowledged they have a problem why not just take care of everyone who paid to get a quality product.

[Maggot_Brain]

My kingdom for a bump!

[Maggot_Brain]

Back to page one. Mods, how about a sticky for this one?

[Maggot_Brain]

Guess not. Why on earth wouldn't HMX/EA sticky this thread? Hmmm?

[Vengeance]

i say yes because the instruments for rockband are poorly made my friend already has a broken bass pedal and a broken guitar which brings up the idea that rockband should stick with the guitar design that GH3 uses and they should make a more durable bass pedal

[Maggot_Brain]

Le Bump and Grind!

[Maggot_Brain]

Bumba .....

[Nate Finch]

Honestly, this is a useless poll. It's like asking if everyone would like a million dollars. Of course they would. That doesn't mean it's reasonable or likely to happen.

I'd like to see the warranty extended to 90 days, but a year? On a $60 piece of plastic that people wail on constantly? It's just not that realistic.

[AddictedtoKaos]

The game rocks - Hands down! Just give us ****ing working controllers!!!!!! Thats what I dropped $170 for. Im starting to get pretty good using the xbox controller for the drums! ;)

[drgnmstr44]

I asked EA today (called in for a drum and guitar replacement)

The question I asked(what happens when If the replacement is broken and I'm beyond the 60 days since you just said the warranty period is just the 60 days from purchased)

Well that kindof floored the guy I was talking to, he asked if it was ok if I was put on hold and he would find out, 5 minutes later he came back and said EA right now isn't sticking to the warranty period and that they want everyone to have a working setup so even if you're beyond 60 days you can expect them to honor replacements.

I have a thought on that statement. I'll believe it when I see it Publicly in Writing from an EA representative. Sorry I've been hosed before by people saying things over the phone then not honoring what they said. I'd like to believe it but I want written proof that I hold them to.

I just got my replacement guitar yesterday and didn't get the chance to test it out. I will tonight though since I'm looking forward to playing again. This situation with the bad hardware isn't good for either company so I'm sure they want people to be happy and enjoy the game. I think the best way they can restore faith in the customers is get a statement in writing that tells everyone the warranty period is permanently being extended till further notice.

[Maggot_Brain]

Honestly, this is a useless poll. It's like asking if everyone would like a million dollars. Of course they would. That doesn't mean it's reasonable or likely to happen.

I'd like to see the warranty extended to 90 days, but a year? On a $60 piece of plastic that people wail on constantly? It's just not that realistic.

Why not? I've got two year old SG's that still work perfectly!

Evidently making guitars and drums out of durable parts would have solved this whole issue. Instead, somebody decided to go for the cheapest route possible and now they're paying much more in warranty costs than using good parts in the first place would have cost.

That said, I'd accept 6 months warranty on the parts. As it is now, I've had a bad guitar, broken bass pedal, and broken drums. I won't be satisfied until all of them work correctly.

[Table16]

I just really want to know how this wasn't found out before. It baffles me. I'm sure all of those types of video games are put through intense paces to make sure it "works" and I don't know how it went unchecked. If they didn't have any problems testing, then why are we, the consumers, getting the shaft as far as quality?

I would love to hear a press release or some sort of explanaition for this fiasco that they are creating. They are losing customers over this. Granted they are putting forth an effort, but its more like, "Oh, we screwed up? Oh, ok, here take this gift, be happy, and leave us alone" At least this is the type of feeling I am getting from the free game and shatty replacements getting sent out.

They didn't take this as seriously as I feel they should have. EA feel extremely short on this one and it doesn't sound like they really care all that much. And with a game as popular as this one, I'm extremely disappionted.

[Maggot_Brain]

My guess: the sounds of silence.

[Maggot_Brain]

Bumpity bam!

[Maggot_Brain]

Bo Diddley!

[jaygrady]

I just bought the game yesterday at Best Buy (they have alot for the ps3) and to my surprise they offer a 2 year replacement plan for 29.99. I was told that if ANYTHING breaks I can return it there and they will give me new equipment. Now this is completely different than everything I've read or heard, but with an offer like that I couldn't refuse. I love the game!:D

[Koneesha]

Can any HMX or EA employe comment on a year warrenty?

[Maggot_Brain]

Boom-shelac!

[pippin65]

what a dumb poll...only an idiot would NOT want a longer warranty period!:confused:

[PacoL250]

Yea, I have to second the notion of extending the warranty service. Even though I bought the two year replacement plan with Wal-Mart, whose to say they wont do the same thing as Best Buy did to another member and say, "Too bad, cant replace it with rough playing."

Even though I have faith that EA wont send out more crap guitars, I would still like to see that warranty get extended to at least 180 days. Because lets face it, they are paying A LOT for the shipping (twice), and if it gets outside of the warranty.... then I'll just buy a stand alone piece of equipment when it comes out, swap it, return it, then get a refund. They'll get it back one way or another, so why not make it easy for both producer and consumer.


Honestly, that's what I feel like is going to happen. At least, lots of people will pull that off.

I for one know I will. :p

But seriously, the warranty needs to get extended.

[Maggot_Brain]

what a dumb poll...only an idiot would NOT want a longer warranty period!:confused:

Ah, you missed the point of the poll! It's to make sure someone, hopefully, hears what us paying customers want/need.

[StiffEdub]

Can anyone say...class action lawsuit for faulty hardware....
Reference VALEO vs Delphi.

Extend the warranty....Screw the free game, as you'll probably give us all a Wii game.

Gee....For GH II and GHIII, minimal to no HARDWARE PROBLEMS.

Take a queue from Msoft....Extend the warranty.

[Maggot_Brain]

Monday morning bumpa-dump.

[Maggot_Brain]

Three weeks after RB was released with no official word bump.

[Maggot_Brain]

Vote, ya'll!!

[LongDarkBlues]

Clearly this needs to happen, if for no other reason than to force them to manufacture higher quality materials.

[psDragon]

I hope HMX has learned their lesson. DONT RUSH TO MARKET PRODUCTS THAT HAVENT BEEN QC'D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Maggot_Brain]

Good morning, Vietnam!

[Maggot_Brain]

Somebody write something to keep this on page one.

[RocknRollGod]

I just bought the game yesterday at Best Buy (they have alot for the ps3) and to my surprise they offer a 2 year replacement plan for 29.99. I was told that if ANYTHING breaks I can return it there and they will give me new equipment. Now this is completely different than everything I've read or heard, but with an offer like that I couldn't refuse. I love the game!:D

Be careful. Best Buy has told someone else on this forum that tried to return it that they didn't do replacements because of hard use. :cool:

[BAzombie]

I think there should be an extension too, or a recall on the guitars and drum pedal.

My strumbar just started going bad I think. I get double hits while down strumming. I thought it was just me but in the menus, it will drop 2 lines about 25% of the time when I go down. In gameplay, it reads a 2nd hits. A note with the bars on it will blink out as soon as it's hit.

VERY DEPRESSING. :mad:

Just getting to play drums on hard. So I'll be way passed the 60 days when my bass pedal finally breaks.

Any word on a TOTAL RECALL shoddy equipment ?

[Maggot_Brain]

Also: Is DLC over with? Was it all just a big joke?

Announce something! Geez!

[Maggot_Brain]

Another new week.....

[Maggot_Brain]

Vote, vote, vote!

[Yateball]

Honestly who says no to this question?

[Maggot_Brain]

Ah, it's still here! Vote!

[AVC808]

well, we're past the halfway mark to the original warranty...i suppose you'll need to give this a bump as we approach the 60-day mark.

[Maggot_Brain]

Another day, more votes, is anybody at EA paying attention?

[33percentgod]

Microsoft did with the Xbox 360 and extend the hardware warranty to one year.

Microsoft actually extended the warranty to 3 years for the RROD.

[AVC808]

Another day, more votes, is anybody at EA paying attention?

i wouldnt be surprised if it was a blind eye. extending a warranty = $$$$$$ in expenses.

[enderwiggin]

i think it should be longer.

i mean, one person could play it non stop for 8 hours a few days a week and it breaks.

and another person could play it for 30 minutes once every few days it it wont break for 2 and a half months. just outside of the warranty, and be screwed.

[tewan]

Eh, do I win? I got mine hooked up for the first time at 5:00pm or so Christmas Eve and the next day at 11:00pm (Christmas Day) it started showing signs of double strumming. I thought it was just me at first, so I stopped playing for a while and I noticed today in the menus that it jumped down twice instead of once.

I've sent in a request for a replacement guitar already (sadly) and hope that it's going to last longer. This definitely needs to be a longer warrenty. Especially if it breaks in just one day.

[Maggot_Brain]

Good morning peeps!

[wickedbadz]

Good morning peeps!

Morning Maggot....ashame we couldn't toss a warranty count down on here...no official word yet either

[pntbllrspdr]

Yes. I've already lost 30 days of mine having to wait for Christmas to get it

[Chewy]

My guitar broke after about 12 hours of usage... plugged it in christmas day, used it just about all day. Near the end it started to act funny but I thought that it was because I was just tired, so I turned it off and went to bed. Get up the next day and I realize its broken.

If the hardware is breaking within a day, then they need to be an extend the warranty.

[squidd]

yup, i used my guitar for a couple hrs and strum doesnt work correctly. extending the warranty would be just fine with me, being that i am awaiting the arrival of my replacemant, most likely refurbished, used , and probably having the same problems. i love the game, just wish i could use it as intended.

[NewbieC4]

Exactly, I love the game, just wish I could play it properly, without being worried about every replacement being just as crappy, then running out of my waranty and having nothing.

[whittibo]

I bought mine from Walmart and was told they didn't offer the extended warranty. I might go back and see if I can get a better answer. I would like to at least buy an extended warranty. I have told my kids and all their friends to play gently on it. If they are caught playing rough, they are forbidden to play. But I firmly believe that they should at least be able to play the same they play their GH guitar, I mean, we have never had a problem with it and one friend ROCKS on it... I make him use the GH guitar to play RB. Sad. :(

[BUZZBONES]

bump. To good of a thread to go under.

[ReNegade_TitaNs]

This thread describes everything ea is doing wrong and should do. I love it. They should look at this seriously......

[GAZH13]

Guitar lasted a couple hours. Drums still holding out.Got it Christmas.

[Maggot_Brain]

Bumpa-dumpa!

[Maggot_Brain]

Hey, wake up!

[Maggot_Brain]

Vote vote vote!

[wkenneth1]

Dear HMX,

I love Rockband. I do not love achy breaky instruments. As I'm nearing the end of my 60 day warranty I feel myself rushed to warranty everything but the microphone. Please, for the love of God, extend the warranty. I would gladly have paid $250 if my instruments were of better quality. I understand they are fake. I'm completely aware of my non-real rocker status. I am fully convinced of my real drumming prowess. I managed to break my bass pedal into 3 (three) pieces during the big rock ending of welcome home on hard difficulty. Now I'm not worried about the pedal.

I know its probably not up to HMX on extending the warranty. Please make sure the decision maker knows that the warranty should be extended. I personally know some of people get disenchanted by non-working hardware, myself included. Expert guitar, ballroom blitz or creep, non working strum bar = a streak breaking bonanza. Just let us get instruments that work.

[AaronInWA]

I asked EA today (called in for a drum and guitar replacement)

The question I asked(what happens when If the replacement is broken and I'm beyond the 60 days since you just said the warranty period is just the 60 days from purchased)

Well that kindof floored the guy I was talking to, he asked if it was ok if I was put on hold and he would find out, 5 minutes later he came back and said EA right now isn't sticking to the warranty period and that they want everyone to have a working setup so even if you're beyond 60 days you can expect them to honor replacements.


I'm curious to know....how does EA know when we purchased our set? People are saying there is a 60 day period from when you purchased your kit....how does EA know when it was purchased? I did the express return for my drum pedal and never had to register a product or enter in a receipt or any type of proof of when it was purchased...

[AVC808]

I'm curious to know....how does EA know when we purchased our set? People are saying there is a 60 day period from when you purchased your kit....how does EA know when it was purchased? I did the express return for my drum pedal and never had to register a product or enter in a receipt or any type of proof of when it was purchased...

at this point in time it doesnt matter when you purchased it, as theyre going by the launch date. since they informed you over the phone they are waiving the 60-day period for now, you only need to be concerned with purchase dates when they do determine a cut off date. say they determine all the replacement peripherals that are sent out are finally 100% reliable 6 months from now, so they set the warranty period at 6-months. after the 6 months from launch date, you would likely have to provide a copy of your sales receipt.

[Velsatis]

EA/Harmonix have already stated that the first run of the guitar products had the strum problems and future runs do not have it. I've made 10+ calls to support and one of the few things I got a consistant answer on was that we'd be getting newer run products where this problem was resolved. (But yes, 60 days is a scary low number).

Getting newer products, that is so untrue..I was sent a nice used and refurbished replacement guitar recently along with some other people. I only wish EA support was sticking to the Harmonix press release about the faulty guitars.

Check out this thread:
http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?p=257702#post257702

[DC_Skate]

Umm... 1 Year... at least!

Bought in November, gave it as a gift to my Son for Christmas December 25th, filled out Warranty info Online on December 27th for faulty Guitar.

Game is great, equipment is great.

However, the equipment apparently seems to have quite a few problems with it.

Game software has quite a few quirks as well.

[TNTales]

You're lucky, I only got a 20% off coupon for my broken guitar and it took from December 9th - January 14th to get the replacement and the damn thing had a broken tilt sensor out of the box.

The poll should have another option: 3) Why bother if they just send more broken stuff?

I give up. I love you Rock Band, we'll always have December 8th to remember. Too bad Gamestop isn't fond of taking in peripherals or I'd trade you in a heartbeat and maybe just get the game and play it with my GH 3 guitar. You broke my heart, Fredo.

*Sigh*

[UnholyVoice]

1 year will NEVER happen. 90 days at most, maybe but even then... They are here to make money. HDD's have a 2-5 year warranty because you never touch them. RAM has a lifetime warranty because it doesn't move. You hit a drum. Do you really expect it to last 5 years? Do you even expect it to last a full year under normal circumstances? Be realistic.