NDS, Dead Pixels, and Customer Service!

M

Mejilan

Running off of Custom Firmware
Nov 19 - I pick up the 2nd to last NDS at the Brooklyn Atlantic Terminal Target.
Nov 19 - I notice an annoying dead pixel that shows up as a dull red dot whenever the screen is painted with dark colors, towards the middle of the primary (top screen).
Nov 19 - Feb 01 - I am unable to secure an exchange at the Target due to a lack of availability.
Feb 01 - I contact NoA and agree to ship them my unit via a prepaid FedEx service they offer.
Feb 02 - NoA receives my unit for repair.
Feb 03 - Website tracking confirms that it is a warranty repair, and thus free.
Feb 04 - 11:00am. My NDS arrives home.
Feb 04 - 6:00pm. I get home from work.
Oh wait, that's not MY NDS. That's a NEW NDS (with another stylus, so now I have three!) Awesome. No dead pixel. No flaws whatsoever. Brand new unit, I paid neither shipping fee, and it took all of three days to get the issue resolved.

NoA Customer Service > *

Thanks to GaimeGuy for suggesting I take care of this through NoA instead of the Target store!
 
heh, i just bought my DS today... 0 dead pixels!!! yay!!!

also i preordered Wario Ware DS.. paid in full... their computer price was $39.99... weird...
 
I wish all companies had customer service like NOA. Not only are they quick to help, but they're eager to please and don't treat you like your trying to scam them.

I've told my GBC story before, the service rep. on the phone used the warrenty on the GB Printer to repair my GBC, even though my GBC was a couple years old. FedEx was there the next day to pick it up and returned 4 days later with a (like?) new system and printer.
 
I had to get my GC replaced once at a Nintendo-licensed trade-in store, it was ultra ghetto but I got a new GC for $70. Yay.
 
Question
Does Nintendo do anything about those damned GC pads (red) B button giving out.

The B-Button seems to always go on GC controllers, I remember my friend got an N64 controller sent out free back in the day.
 
KiNeSiS said:
Question
Does Nintendo do anything about those damned GC pads (red) B button giving out.

The B-Button seems to always go on GC controllers, I remember my friend got an N64 controller sent out free back in the day.
Click to expand...

I've got 4 GCN controllers, two from launch era, and never had that happen.

I recommend you give NoA a quick call. Most likely, they'll take care of you.
 
Just thought I'd add my recent Sony experience.

Now, my PS2 is well out of warranty, I bought it about 2 years ago. A couple of months ago, it stopped reading blue-back discs (CDs), much to my annoyance. Final straw was when Gradius V refused to load, and then, out-of-the-box, the Growlanser discs.

Back in late Dec, I was preparing for a 15 day trip overseas, and thought I'd finally call Sony and talk to them about the free repair of DREs they, apparently, are now required to fix for free (regardless of warranty) due to having settled/lost a class action lawsuit some time back.

"They" were right. Sony agreed to accept my PS2 (I had to pay shipping) and fix it. If they found no evidence of modding or tampering, and it really was a "typical" DRE, they'd fix it for free. And they did. They shipped it back (they paid for that) and two weeks later, almost to the day, I had my PS2 back.

Well, honestly, it was waiting for me when I got home from my trip. And yes, the PS2 works perfectly now. A trusty 30001 model. Now, I was PLEASED with this level of service. I'm sure I'd have been more annoyed with the wait had I actually been in the country, but I planned things the way I did for a reason. Still, getting it cleaned, fixed, and sent back in just under 2 weeks was a good deal, imho, and it only cost me the $10 I paid for shipping and insurance. This was also the first time I ever sent a product in to be repaired by the manufacturer.

The DS was the 2nd time I ever did such a thing, but the level and speed of service blew me away. And a brand new unit, too. Wow.
 
Thanks, hmmmm I am a naturally strong guy but I think I push the buttons in a normal manner.

I think this happened to two seperate controllers I bought two extra because of this.

Any one want to help the Lazy and supply a number.... Hmmmm It's probably the same number that Mario always annoces on the back of GBA games booklets.
I'll call them tomarrow cause as of late the Lil Cube has been getting some good play time.

The B-Button is so bad that friends don't like playing two player.
I take the controller but it sucks and sometimes costs me the match because it gets stuck and you can't push it again.

I need to know I'm not the Incredible Hulk. If this happened to 2 out of 3 controllers then something isn't right.
Surely someone has The Balls to admit that they to have encountered this menace to gaming fun.
Stuck buttons are ass!

The sad tail of the 4th controller my beloved wave bird, well my dog ate the handgrips and analog nubs clear off the thing.
kinesis.jpg

This bitch got her ass beat for that!
 
NOA's customer service is absolutely amazing. Hell, they even help you find a place to ship it and if you have any problems at the place you're shipping from, the rep. who is helping you will contact the store and get it straightened out. The customer service reps really earn their pay.
 
I remember I used to order contact pads for my SNES controllers, when mine would wear out. They sent them to me free of charge. I was so elite as a kid...I fixed all of my pads when they were getting worn down.

My cousin, after getting his DS, also had a dead pixel. Nintendo said, you can either ship yours out and we'll ship you a new one. Or, provide us a credit card number, we'll ship you a unit along with a ship-back box for your defective one. He took the second choice, and he swears that he got his new DS the next day. O_O
 
Kinesis, you ever try the "twist"?

Twist the opposite ends of the controller. I.e. The right side down and left handle up, or the opposite. Your B will pop right back out.
 
KiNeSiS said:
Question
Does Nintendo do anything about those damned GC pads (red) B button giving out.

The B-Button seems to always go on GC controllers, I remember my friend got an N64 controller sent out free back in the day.
Click to expand...

Yes, I had the problem with the Indigo/Clear extra controller I bought at launch. I think that it must have been a faulty batch, because the actual controller that came with my Cube never had a problem. Subsequent controller purchases have failed to provide this problem also, so I'm sure it was rectified early on.

The number is 1-800-255-3700. Give them a call and I'm sure they'll help you out.
 
I also vaguely recall a buddy having a problem with either his GCN, Pikmin 1, or both back in the early days of this gen. Junkwaffle, that was you, right? I don't remember the details, but I think he shipped his GCN and Pikmin to NoA, and they replaced either one, or BOTH, within a couple of days.

Awesome. But these things generally mean more to you when they actually happen to you. I didn't really appreciate his story so much then, but now that I've seen it happen. :D
 
Mejilan said:
Just thought I'd add my recent Sony experience.

Now, my PS2 is well out of warranty, I bought it about 2 years ago. A couple of months ago, it stopped reading blue-back discs (CDs), much to my annoyance. Final straw was when Gradius V refused to load, and then, out-of-the-box, the Growlanser discs.

Back in late Dec, I was preparing for a 15 day trip overseas, and thought I'd finally call Sony and talk to them about the free repair of DREs they, apparently, are now required to fix for free (regardless of warranty) due to having settled/lost a class action lawsuit some time back.

"They" were right. Sony agreed to accept my PS2 (I had to pay shipping) and fix it. If they found no evidence of modding or tampering, and it really was a "typical" DRE, they'd fix it for free. And they did. They shipped it back (they paid for that) and two weeks later, almost to the day, I had my PS2 back.

Well, honestly, it was waiting for me when I got home from my trip. And yes, the PS2 works perfectly now. A trusty 30001 model. Now, I was PLEASED with this level of service. I'm sure I'd have been more annoyed with the wait had I actually been in the country, but I planned things the way I did for a reason. Still, getting it cleaned, fixed, and sent back in just under 2 weeks was a good deal, imho, and it only cost me the $10 I paid for shipping and insurance. This was also the first time I ever sent a product in to be repaired by the manufacturer.

The DS was the 2nd time I ever did such a thing, but the level and speed of service blew me away. And a brand new unit, too. Wow.
Click to expand...

Maybe it was better that you waited in Essence .
 
Drensch said:
Kinesis, you ever try the "twist"?

Twist the opposite ends of the controller. I.e. The right side down and left handle up, or the opposite. Your B will pop right back out.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip Drensch but it's a way bigger problem then that. Hell I put the controller away but who knows I may try it after I get my shiny new controller.

Thanks for the Number Spike. I will tell them about the two controllers hopefully I get two
I would be happy with one.
Perhaps I'll ask for a wave bird, I bought that controller the day I bought Soul Caliber 2 and F-Zero GX.
It really was awsome experiance mortal words couldn't describe.
If only Nintendo had strong 3rd party support GameCube could of been something and stuck it to the man!
Ah Well.
 
Mejilan said:
I also vaguely recall a buddy having a problem with either his GCN, Pikmin 1, or both back in the early days of this gen. Junkwaffle, that was you, right? I don't remember the details, but I think he shipped his GCN and Pikmin to NoA, and they replaced either one, or BOTH, within a couple of days.

Awesome. But these things generally mean more to you when they actually happen to you. I didn't really appreciate his story so much then, but now that I've seen it happen. :D
Click to expand...

:lol Hey mej, oh shit, yea, that WAS me! I forgot that. Yea, I approached NOA with confidence they were going to help out, and sure enough, they did. I have had nothing but absolute satisfaction with NOA customer service over the years. In this day and age, it really is a breath of fresh air when you need it.

If I had one complaint? The few times I recieved a Player's Guide directly from them, it doesn't always come in an envelope. Actually, when you renew a NP subscription, you get no envelope with the guide. When I bought from the site, ta da! envelopes!
 
KiNeSiS said:
Thanks for the tip Drensch but it's a way bigger problem then that. Hell I put the controller away but who knows I may try it after I get my shiny new controller.
Click to expand...
I've only ever heard of the B button problem that can be fixed with the twist. I supose it's possible you got multiple flukey controllers, but you've really tried the twist? It worked for me.
 
Mejilan said:
Just thought I'd add my recent Sony experience.

Now, my PS2 is well out of warranty, I bought it about 2 years ago. A couple of months ago, it stopped reading blue-back discs (CDs), much to my annoyance. Final straw was when Gradius V refused to load, and then, out-of-the-box, the Growlanser discs.

Back in late Dec, I was preparing for a 15 day trip overseas, and thought I'd finally call Sony and talk to them about the free repair of DREs they, apparently, are now required to fix for free (regardless of warranty) due to having settled/lost a class action lawsuit some time back.

"They" were right. Sony agreed to accept my PS2 (I had to pay shipping) and fix it. If they found no evidence of modding or tampering, and it really was a "typical" DRE, they'd fix it for free. And they did. They shipped it back (they paid for that) and two weeks later, almost to the day, I had my PS2 back.

Well, honestly, it was waiting for me when I got home from my trip. And yes, the PS2 works perfectly now. A trusty 30001 model. Now, I was PLEASED with this level of service. I'm sure I'd have been more annoyed with the wait had I actually been in the country, but I planned things the way I did for a reason. Still, getting it cleaned, fixed, and sent back in just under 2 weeks was a good deal, imho, and it only cost me the $10 I paid for shipping and insurance. This was also the first time I ever sent a product in to be repaired by the manufacturer.

The DS was the 2nd time I ever did such a thing, but the level and speed of service blew me away. And a brand new unit, too. Wow.
Click to expand...


15 days?

Try 60 days from Sony of Australia in which they sent my PS2 back to me twice not working. They finally gave me a refurbished unit that I sold and told them I am no longer buying there products (the ps3 might break me).
 
well, since we're on it, i'll post my friends customer service story.

I just gotta say that Nintendo's customer service and tech support are fucking HEAVENLY. My NES stopped working after what, 19 years, and I called 'em and told 'em I was sure it was the 72-pin connector getting corroded, and they said I was right, 'cuz that's the problem 99% of the time, and they mailed me a new one FOR FREE and I got it in 3 days and I installed it myself and it hasn't had a single error since. When ANY Sony product ever lasts 19 years, then ya know what they'll be? "As strong as an NES." And that's pathetic. Sony makes hardware like cavemen. Nintendo makes hardware FOR cavemen. Their shit is unbreakable like Bruce Willis.
Click to expand...
 
JJConrad said:
I've told my GBC story before, the service rep. on the phone used the warrenty on the GB Printer to repair my GBC, even though my GBC was a couple years old. FedEx was there the next day to pick it up and returned 4 days later with a (like?) new system and printer.
Click to expand...

Hah, that's funny, in my situation it was the other way around. My GB printer was a couple of years old and it got jammed and I just asked nicely and they took care of me anyway.

It's a fun contrast when you compare it to Sony.

Me: "But Kutaragi-san, I lost my game when I was almost at the high score because my square button didn't respond."
Kutaragi: "That's because we designed the square button to not work in every situation. It's part of the design of the system, and you can't question it, because we're Sony and we're the apex of engineering. We'll swap the PSP out for you, if you want, but it'll still have an intentionally broken square button."
Me: "Fuck you, Sony-man."

I liked the Printer story more.
 
Nintendo has the most kick-ass customer service ever.

Sony on the other hand... They're pretty reluctant unless they have a class-action lawsuit forcing them to help you out. :lol
 
I'm not sure if I'm totally satisfied with Nintendo's costumer service yet. My first DS had a bad battery, so I called them up and they let me send my in for repairs, took about 4-5 days total and I got a new one back to me, the only problem is... that new unit had a discolored LCD -_-. I called them again about it and they gave me the option of using their replacement service, and I got a new in a couple of days. Well, I must be full of bad luck because while I was packing the unit I had to send back, I accidentally marked all over the barcode on the returning label. -_- (I was meaning to mark the old one out that was showing, but did the wrong one by mistake) I freaked. I emailed Nintendo about it though to see if by any chance I could get a new returning label, I thought it wouldn't happen and I get charged and be stuck with a defective DS, but nope, the next day I got an email back saying they sent out another one for me. It came to me about a week ago, and I was able to get back to them before the 21 day period was up, and just today I got my conformation that that I won't be charged.

Despite how I feel about my first replacement being sent out defective, Nintendo did a much better job than any other company I've worked with about getting me a working unit I was happy with. I only hope I won't have to go through this again, usually I have good luck with Nintendo systems, but these past couple of handhelds (original GBA and now the DS) have given me some issues. D:
 
Holy shit Mejilan did you miss out on all the previous Nintendo customer support threads? With ANY Nintendo product it's usually best to go straight through the company and just get your system replaced for free. I live on the complete opposite side of the country and I always get my replacements within 5 days, no problems whatsoever.

I'd reccomend searching on the Nintendo website for any local repair centers near you since they handle everything for you on the spot, all you have to do is hand in your system and explain what's wrong.
 
After 4 years or so of owning my original brick GB, a line of pixels went out. I called Nintendo, they paid for shipping both ways and sent me a new one. 3 years out of warranty.
 
I have a 2-3 year old gba with a broken screen (the inside, outside cover and whole gba is intact). I left it in a bag which i lost in a parking lot and when i recovered it the screen was broken (I think the bag got rolled over by a car).

Think they'll still send me a new one...? >_<"
 
I just gotta say that Nintendo's customer service and tech support are fucking HEAVENLY. My NES stopped working after what, 19 years, and I called 'em and told 'em I was sure it was the 72-pin connector getting corroded, and they said I was right, 'cuz that's the problem 99% of the time, and they mailed me a new one FOR FREE and I got it in 3 days and I installed it myself and it hasn't had a single error since. When ANY Sony product ever lasts 19 years, then ya know what they'll be? "As strong as an NES." And that's pathetic. Sony makes hardware like cavemen. Nintendo makes hardware FOR cavemen. Their shit is unbreakable like Bruce Willis.
Click to expand...
Nice.

Face it, when it comes sturdy electronics and satisfaction-oriented customer service, Nintendo is king. Undisputed. I don't know what that actually says about them, but at what must ultimately amount to a pretty penny, they do stand by their products.
 
Mejilan said:
Nov 19 - I pick up the 2nd to last NDS at the Brooklyn Atlantic Terminal Target.
Nov 19 - I notice an annoying dead pixel that shows up as a dull red dot whenever the screen is painted with dark colors, towards the middle of the primary (top screen).
Nov 19 - Feb 01 - I am unable to secure an exchange at the Target due to a lack of availability.
Feb 01 - I contact NoA and agree to ship them my unit via a prepaid FedEx service they offer.
Feb 02 - NoA receives my unit for repair.
Feb 03 - Website tracking confirms that it is a warranty repair, and thus free.
Feb 04 - 11:00am. My NDS arrives home.
Feb 04 - 6:00pm. I get home from work.
Oh wait, that's not MY NDS. That's a NEW NDS (with another stylus, so now I have three!) Awesome. No dead pixel. No flaws whatsoever. Brand new unit, I paid neither shipping fee, and it took all of three days to get the issue resolved.

NoA Customer Service > *

Thanks to GaimeGuy for suggesting I take care of this through NoA instead of the Target store!
Click to expand...

Glad I could help. :)
I just gotta say that Nintendo's customer service and tech support are fucking HEAVENLY. My NES stopped working after what, 19 years, and I called 'em and told 'em I was sure it was the 72-pin connector getting corroded, and they said I was right, 'cuz that's the problem 99% of the time, and they mailed me a new one FOR FREE and I got it in 3 days and I installed it myself and it hasn't had a single error since. When ANY Sony product ever lasts 19 years, then ya know what they'll be? "As strong as an NES." And that's pathetic. Sony makes hardware like cavemen. Nintendo makes hardware FOR cavemen. Their shit is unbreakable like Bruce Willis.
Click to expand...
Wow. Now THAT is service. O_o
 
similar situation happened with me an my GC (disc errors)

NOA customer service is some of the best in the tech industry IMO
 
Do The Mario said:
15 days?

Try 60 days from Sony of Australia in which they sent my PS2 back to me twice not working. They finally gave me a refurbished unit that I sold and told them I am no longer buying there products (the ps3 might break me).
Click to expand...

I was out of the country for 15 days. I got my PS2 back a few days before I arrived, so it was actually just under 2 weeks. Sorry to hear about your experience. :(
 
TekunoRobby said:
Holy shit Mejilan did you miss out on all the previous Nintendo customer support threads? With ANY Nintendo product it's usually best to go straight through the company and just get your system replaced for free. I live on the complete opposite side of the country and I always get my replacements within 5 days, no problems whatsoever.

I'd reccomend searching on the Nintendo website for any local repair centers near you since they handle everything for you on the spot, all you have to do is hand in your system and explain what's wrong.
Click to expand...

*shrugs*

I NEVER liked the idea of shipping electronics, getting 'em "fixed", and having them shipped back. The entire concept makes me nervous, because it's all done anonymously. If I do it through some center, then at least I can get some names and faces in case anything goes wrong.

Actually, I live in NY, and the repair center I shipped my DS to was also located in NY, that's why by the 3rd day, I already had it back. IIRC, GaimeGuy did something similar not too long ago, and it took him 6 days to get his unit repaired/replaced, a couple of states away.
 
Mejilan said:
*shrugs*

I NEVER liked the idea of shipping electronics, getting 'em "fixed", and having them shipped back. The entire concept makes me nervous, because it's all done anonymously. If I do it through some center, then at least I can get some names and faces in case anything goes wrong.

Actually, I live in NY, and the repair center I shipped my DS to was also located in NY, that's why by the 3rd day, I already had it back. IIRC, GaimeGuy did something similar not too long ago, and it took him 6 days to get his unit repaired/replaced, a couple of states away.
Click to expand...

Halfway across the country, in minnesota, and I shipped it out on a thursday. (got it back on wednesday.)
 
Well its good to hear there are some great customer service companies out there.

I just wish the one i was dealing with now was the same. It annoys me to no end that they sell you the product and then you're stuck with a faulty product you can do nothing about. I learnt i could exchange it with something else. But that alternative is faulty too! :lol Shouldnt take this much time and energy. Assholes. I just want something that works. 3rd time lucky?
 
Question about the PS2 DRE...

When I stick in CD-Rom discs (such as Taiko), my PS2 makes that... noise... like it's trying to read/grind at the disc with no actual reading. I did the tape trick (a 1" long strip of tape near the center of the disc) and the games work ok.

Is this something that's fixed for free under the DRE thing? (is this the same thing?)

Just wondering if I should send my PS2 in to be fixed, as it's annoying.
 
Nintendo is the best. Also at stores, at the game store I worked at the rep. would ALWAYS replaced the busted controllers of the Gamecube from the kids that dropped them on the floor.

Sony and Microsoft reps......NEVER!

And their NOA service rocks too. They always sent me free replacement screens for my Gameboys.
 
That the DS was replaced instead of fixed isn't that surprising; the LCD itself can't be repaired, and taking apart the entire system for a replacement probably wouldn't make sense time-wise for RMA staff unless they had nothing better to do.

In any case, Nintendo has been up there for service for a long time, whether it be for product repair, replacement (hell, you can look as far back as Yamauchi's massive japanese famicom recall), or game help (as far as I know, their game counsellor service is still as well-versed as ever). Maybe they really are just forming all of the parts into some gigantic killer robot, but I prefer to think that they just like to make sure problems are taken care of without having to wait for class-action lawsuits.
 
Only once have I hade to call in a defective peice of Hardware, and that was my Xbox. It was in the 90 day warrenty by like a week or two. I called in, and they tried everything to somehow get out of it. I had to fax them verification up the ying-yang before it all worked out. The actual rep was pretty decent. He cracked a few jokes and what not, and said he recognized my town from the movie Home Alone. After I paid 20$ to ship the monster I got it back about a week later. I think they just replaced it, either way, It went good compared to other horror stories I've heard.
 
Drensch said:
After 4 years or so of owning my original brick GB, a line of pixels went out. I called Nintendo, they paid for shipping both ways and sent me a new one. 3 years out of warranty.
Click to expand...
oh snap!

my GB brick has a damaged screen...

i should call nintendo on monday...
 
Many years ago, when I was a silly high school student, I had an NES. It started having the flashing screen of death during its first year... so I called the customer service number.

Nintendo paid for a Federal Express truck to pick up my NES and all my games the next day. They fixed the system, cleaned all the games, and got the whole system back to me in less than a week. I was impressed. This may be the reason I'm such a Nintendo fan -- they are the best in the industry when it comes to customer service ... perhaps the best in any industry.

Oh, one interesting point... I got a phone call from the NOA service department the day they received system & games. Some of my cartridges were previously game rental cartridges... and the Nintendo rep wanted to make sure that I knew I had sent them in, as he was worried they might be overdue rentals and they wanted permission to open the cartridge and break the rental store seals.
 
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