Have Microsoft stopped sending out boxes For 360 repairs?

http://kotaku.com/5163987/have-microsoft-stopped-sending-out-boxes-for-360-repairs

It's been standard practice for a while now that, if your 360 broke, Microsoft would send you a box, so you could send your console back in. But a Consumerist report today claims otherwise.

They cite the story of reader Zach, who says:

My Xbox red-ringed for the second time this weekend. Which is almost a relief after hearing how bad my disc drive was sounding, but not so much after hearing the new policy. I was told that Xbox no longer ships out a box to you and you must find a box to ship it out in. Yeah I guess its not a big deal, but I think it gives them another thing to hold over your head; "We are sorry, Sir, but you didn't back it well enough and it appears the damage was due to shipping, we cannot help you."

Sounds ominous. And, given these tough economic times, somewhat plausible, so there's a good chance you may have seen the story doing the rounds earlier today. But Microsoft claim otherwise, telling us:

Reports that Microsoft now requires consumers to find their own packaging for sending product to Xbox 360 customer support are inaccurate. Our policy allows customers to choose whether they would like Microsoft to ship them a box and shipping label or print an electronic label and ship their console using their own packaging in an effort to speed up the repair process.

Sounds like Zach may have got a dud customer service rep. Which, to be fair to him, wouldn't be the first time that happened when trying to contact their god-awful help line.

What about you guys? Have any of you been told to get your own box?

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Yup, they did that to me on my 6th Xbox and Aleeock too.

Yeah. When my 360 crashed (a one red light error) the first tech guy i talked to said that they would give me a box. Then I called back again to set up payments and what not, and that guy said i would have to ship it myself. So I payed however much for shipping, and two days later an empty box showed up. I hate friggin 360 support people.

Ditto, but you paid for shipping? I would have went nuts on that! They usually let me print out the pre-paid label.

I got an email with the shipping label, but I had to pay for my own box. (not a big deal, i think it was like $7 or something)

No man, I had to pay for it all supposedly because it wasnt covered under warranty and it wasnt the RRoD, it was a different error. Although, like I said, they sent me a box with the label anyway after they told me I had to pay for it all myself.

Even if they stopped, I guess I'm lucky because I still have the original packaging to store it in, and use it when moving my console and game about.

and this made me remember that when I called u to get the details for sending my 360' off, I got an annoying women who spelled everything out by giving a word to each letter like she was playing reakin' wheel of fortune or something!!! :hh