Score a refurbished Xbox 360 Premium for $149.99

An Xbox 360 Premium for $150 is hard to beat, but it comes without a warranty.

(Credit: Overstock Dealz)

Regular Cheapskate readers know that I love me some Xbox 360--not just because it's a killer gaming console, but also because it's a killer media center extender. In fact, I recently suggested buying an Xbox 360 Core system expressly for its extender capabilities.

But why buy a Core for $170 when you can get an Xbox 360 Premium for $150? Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' bout! There are some catches, however, so read on before you pull the trigger (or, um, click the mouse).

First catch: this is the non-HDMI Xbox 360 Premium, meaning that you'll need to use the included component video cables to make the HDTV connection. (I don't consider that a deal breaker, but some folks insist on HDMI, which is included with newer Xboxes.)

Second catch: you don't get a headset with these units (no big deal, if you're not planning to play games online).

Third catch: shipping will run you about $26, which is kinda steep.

Fourth catch (and the only one that really matters, in my mind): no warranty. The vendor, Overstock Dealz, offers a "14-day guarantee," which essentially protects you from dead-on-arrival units, but otherwise, you're on your own.

As some will undoubtedly note, the 360 has (or had, anyway) a fairly high failure rate, so buying one without a warranty is borderline idiotic. However, because these are refurbished systems, they're arguably in better shape (i.e. more failure-resistant) than new ones.

Agree? Disagree? Hit the Comments--and try to keep it civil, peeps.

[Macajuel]

The C-Card was almost out of the wallet on this one but then I thought XBOX 360+refurbished+no warranty = bad idea

[rickbroida]

Actually, I wonder if your credit-card company would provide a warranty. Didn't Amex used to offer that option? Perhaps they still do. Anyone know?

[Dragon_Myr]

Yes, they do, but it depends on your card and what particular package was offered to you. I have an AMEX card that extends warranties sometimes by 90 days and other times by 1 year. I also have a Visa card that tacks on extra time, but it's not as much as the AMEX. They always bury this information in all the fine print or those terms/benefits brochures that go on for pages. It may appear on the website once you log in too (I seem to recall finding it there once). It's actually been a selling point for me when picking between a pair of almost identical cards, but I haven't had to use it yet.

[rickbroida]

I also wanted to mention that both CompUSA and TigerDirect have refurb Xbox 360 Premiums for about $215 shipped, including a 60-day warranty.

[peteyboy84]

Although I love the 360, they still have their problems, including the refurbished ones. My brother got the ring of death, Microsoft fixed it and sent it back, and it happened again about a month later.

[cyberwhale]

@rickbroida

AMEX Purchase Protection Plan is available on all of their products. Pay for the system with your card, and you'll get 90 days protection.

[dilbertdude69]

On my second 360 (2nd gen) It has issues also. You MUST provide substantial additional cooling on these things, even though 2nd gen has extra fans in it. Had mine on a shelf all by itself, with the transformer on its own shelf, plenty of room. Thing still overheats, which is not covered by Micro$oft extended warranty (wonderful company to submit your wallet to...........). Had to build a custom stand with fans, and I still don't like it. Bought a Wii........problem solved.

[terminalblue]

"bought a Wii...problem solved"
New problem, crap games.

[HpK1029]

Okay, I just bought the 360 Premium along with Guitar Hero III & Halo 3 from the site. I then bought two extra wireless controllers from Amazon. My grand total was $310, it would've been $290 if I didn't go to college in Tennessee (TN-only tax). The 360 Premium alone price-reduced @ Walmart would be $309 with tax. Now I know I lose the headset & HDMI, but I don't online game and it would be replacing my Original XBox in my HDTV's Component Slot anyway.

So basically I got Guitar Hero III (+ Wireless Guitar), Halo 3 & 2 extra Wireless controllers for $1! Great deal! Thanks Rick!

By the way, just to see how much I saved, I filled a Walmart Cart up with the same items $637.30! Can't thank you enough Rick! And yes, I am an AmEx member, so I have an automatic extended warranty.

[MakaiOokami]

There's a reason why Microsoft extended thje warranty for 3 years. Sure you got a screaming deal now.. but just wait until it dies on you. You have a 20-30 percent chance EVEN WITH THE FALCON CHIPS.

[MakaiOokami]

Please quit posting deals on 360s. Just go do a survey on how many 360s people have gone through and you'll see that a good number of people are on their 2nd, 3rd, and even up to 6th or 7th system.

It doesn't matter how much you save on one if THE STUPID THING BREAKS ON YOU EVERY YEAR.

[rickbroida]

Looks like some across-the-board Xbox price drops are imminent, so if you prefer new gear to refurbished, sit tight until tomorrow (Friday).

[Mystakill]

I've been through four Microsoft warranty "dead pool" refurbs before getting my fifth 360, which, amazingly, has lasted for almost a year and a half. I wouldn't buy any 360 without an extended warranty, although they did *finally* address the DRM debacle almost two and a half years too late.

[C0mmanderB0nd]

The reason there are so many refurb options like this out there is because there are a lot, and I mean a lot, of dead 360's out there. Buying a refurb without the MS extended warranty is just idiotic. These things have a high failure rate, also these refurbs are ones that have failed before and are much more likely to fail again.

So spend the extra money if you really want a 360 you can play more that a few days/weeks/months!!! And with the impending price drop you can buy an arcade for just a little more, and score a cheap 20GB hard drive, around $40 to $50 buck used on Amazon, and you have a much better, warrantied deal.

[CitizenJag]

Seriously, avoid this. early made, non-hdmi xbox's are trouble. stick to the new ones and GET A WARRANTY. fantastic system, just make sure you have a security back up in case of crash, which seems like its not a question of if, but when.

[ledzep93]

Ordered an xbox 360 refurb from overstockdealz and it failed immediately. I got an RMA and returned it but could not get a refund. I had to go through my bank for refund. I bought another 360 refurb from overstockdealz and it failed immediately. I got an RMA and am dreading the refund ordeal. They have NO customer service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They ship quickly but you better pray your merchandise doesn't need to be returned!

[dan-thedesignerguy]

I bought the xbox 360 pro (the new bundle with hdmi) bundle today at a local store for $200. On the back of the console, it had a warranty seal that links to refurbconsole.com. It was ONLY $160...

...if I only known it about the site before I bought the xbox. But its ok, its always better to forget and move on.