Console Collectors Question.
Last April I bought a used, obviously, Launch Team 360. It had green insert panels on the ends, the "I made this" faceplate, and the controller with the green inserts, plus a green 20 GB HDD with the launch date engraved into it. I paid $500, which was $200 more than a regular Pro was selling for at the time.
Within 30 days of buying the console, it got the red lights. I shipped it off to be fixed. They returned it with gray panels in the ends, but the green ones arrived in a separate package the following day. They're easily replaceable I learned, without breaking the MS seal, so I put them back on.
Now, not quite a year later, the DVD drive is dead and needs replacement. I had another 360 I had to have repaired that cost me $100. While it was out, I bought a new one from Target with a newer board, and then when it came back, I loaned it to KatamariKutie. She has been using it for about six months now, or so. Anyway, now THAT one is also having problems reading some discs. Unlike mine where the drive is just dead, hers is sporadic. It is a March 2006 console. When I got it repaired, it was a video issue, and I had to pay $100 to repair it.
So... I can pay $100 each to repair them both. Or, I can pay $200 and replace one. Or I can pay $200 twice and replace both. Or... well, there's a lot of options.
My main question is this.. what do I do about the Launch Team 360? The ONLY thing that identifies it as a launch console is the green panels in the end, although I'm sure the serial number and date of manufacture can pinpoint it. But from an aesthetic POV, if I put those green panels in another console, for all intents and purposes, it would be a launch team console.
As console collectors, would you:
1) Rather see the console repaired by MS, keep the original board, case, serial #, etc.? Even if it means it may continue to die over and over and over?
2) See the end pieces put onto a new console and call it good?
Here's the thing, who knows what MS may replace those parts with anyway? If, eventually, they have to replace the disc drive, the motherboard, and everything else inside, is that any different than just going to buy a new console? It may already have a new board in it from the first repair, and this would mean a new drive. It still has the same serial number, but MS is under no obligation to keep that, either. They could just as easily replace this with a refurb as that is their right.
What's your suggestion?
I am inclined to buy a new Arcade unit, and swap the grilles. Reattach the HDD and faceplate, and use the green controller. Voila, a Launch Team 360 with a Jasper board AND 256 MB of onboard memory storage. Then I just sell the old unit as-is with a bad disc drive.
Console Collectors Question
Was wondering if there are any sports card collectors out there....
There are many cards that I am looking for, and if you are looking for any please let me know.
I also have alot of rare, high dollar cards as well.
anyone???
