What to look for when buying a used Xbox

So I'm trying to convince my parents to get me a 360 for Christmas this year, but they said they won't go too high on the price for it. So I've been looking around (eBay, Amazon, Craigslist, etc) and I saw that Gamestop is having a Black Friday sale on refurbished consoles for $99.99 (just system, needed cords, and a controller. No HDD). They are also marking down the 120 gb hdd too, which I'm hoping to get so I can save the disk data to the system to keep the temeprature down.

The thing I'm worrying about is that this is will be my first Xbox and I'm not completely sure what to look for. I know to see what chip it has (I plan on seeing if there's any with the jasper chip, and if not falcon), but past that I'm lost. So what all should I look at before buying? I know I need to make sure it works fine and see if it's been modded, but what else? Also, is there any noticeable difference between the types of systems they are (like Arcade in comparison to an Elite), or they pretty much the same past that? And please don't suggest buying new as I just don't have the money to go new, or I would.

Get money for christmas, save a bit more and get a new Xbox 360.o0Pwnzorz0o

Definitely this. It's not worth it to buy a used console. Save and get the slim with x-mas money and money you can earn on your own. It's a much better choice in the long run.

So I'm trying to convince my parents to get me a 360 for Christmas this year, but they said they won't go too high on the price for it. So I've been looking around (eBay, Amazon, Craigslist, etc) and I saw that Gamestop is having a Black Friday sale on refurbished consoles for $99.99 (just system, needed cords, and a controller. No HDD). They are also marking down the 120 gb hdd too, which I'm hoping to get so I can save the disk data to the system to keep the temeprature down.

The thing I'm worrying about is that this is will be my first Xbox and I'm not completely sure what to look for. I know to see what chip it has (I plan on seeing if there's any with the jasper chip, and if not falcon), but past that I'm lost. So what all should I look at before buying? I know I need to make sure it works fine and see if it's been modded, but what else? Also, is there any noticeable difference between the types of systems they are (like Arcade in comparison to an Elite), or they pretty much the same past that? And please don't suggest buying new as I just don't have the money to go new, or I would.

COKTAL

I know you said not to tell you to go for a new console, but that really is the best option. By the time you add on the price for the hard drive, cords, and controller, you are already at, or at least super close, to the price of a new console anyway. And with a new console comes a warranty and a higher projected lifespan. Not to mention they are usually bundled with a game or two as well.

Well if you insist on getting a used one try and get one with HDMI.

Let me expand a little bit more on my situation as I don't feel like I went in depth enough in the op. This gift is from "Santa" because my little sister hasn't figured out that our parents = Santa, so I still have to get gifts from both. If I did get them together, a new system might be possible, but its not right now. My parents won't go for just giving me money, and "Santa" won't. My birthday isn't for a few months and school/sports means I don't have time for a job to get enough money to buy a new system own my own. If I did that, it'd probably take until late April to early May before I might be able to get one. I was planning on just using this one to hold me over until I could get afford a new system, so a refurbished one should be fine for whatI need. And then I can just use the same hdd and get the cheaper 4gb slim.

@First two respondents: I'd like to get a new one, but the money just isn't there. I'm not working now as I've got almost no free time with school, sports, and then studying. I wouldn't be able to afford a new system until the summer, which I think is too long for me to wait.

@Huytttr: With the deal I'm looking at getting arefurbished console with one controller plus the 120gb hdd for around $150 (will be less since I also plan on trading in about 10 wii/ds games too on top of getting a Power Up card for credits towards games). Then there's a buy 2 used, get 1 used for free of lesser value that I plan on using for a game (since the hdd is 60 that should mean any used game is eligible). And a few of my friends said I could borrow games until I had a few of my own.

@JadeNic: Again, I'd like to but I just can't.

If it looks like this don't buy it!

Make sure you buy a Jasper chipset second hand Xbox 360 and all should be ok.

Let me expand a little bit more on my situation as I don't feel like I went in depth enough in the op. This gift is from "Santa" because my little sister hasn't figured out that our parents = Santa, so I still have to get gifts from both. If I did get them together, a new system might be possible, but its not right now. My parents won't go for just giving me money, and "Santa" won't. My birthday isn't for a few months and school/sports means I don't have time for a job to get enough money to buy a new system own my own. If I did that, it'd probably take until late April to early May before I might be able to get one. I was planning on just using this one to hold me over until I could get afford a new system, so a refurbished one should be fine for whatI need. And then I can just use the same hdd and get the cheaper 4gb slim.

@First two respondents: I'd like to get a new one, but the money just isn't there. I'm not working now as I've got almost no free time with school, sports, and then studying. I wouldn't be able to afford a new system until the summer, which I think is too long for me to wait.

@Huytttr: With the deal I'm looking at getting arefurbished console with one controller plus the 120gb hdd for around $150 (will be less since I also plan on trading in about 10 wii/ds games too on top of getting a Power Up card for credits towards games). Then there's a buy 2 used, get 1 used for free of lesser value that I plan on using for a game (since the hdd is 60 that should mean any used game is eligible). And a few of my friends said I could borrow games until I had a few of my own.

@JadeNic: Again, I'd like to but I just can't.

COKTAL

there is really no difference besides the shells of the system between pro/arcade/elite. so don't worry about that as long as its the same chipset. I highly suggest you be VERY careful not to accidentally buy a RROD system. lots and lots and lots of people online try to trick you so be careful. i wouldnt worry about a hard drive yet because you can use USB sticks up to 16 gigs so that can hold you off for a little while. the younger the system the better.

good luck!!

Make sure you buy a Jasper chipset second hand Xbox 360 and all should be ok.

myrepose

Let me expand a little bit more on my situation as I don't feel like I went in depth enough in the op. This gift is from "Santa" because my little sister hasn't figured out that our parents = Santa, so I still have to get gifts from both. If I did get them together, a new system might be possible, but its not right now. My parents won't go for just giving me money, and "Santa" won't. My birthday isn't for a few months and school/sports means I don't have time for a job to get enough money to buy a new system own my own. If I did that, it'd probably take until late April to early May before I might be able to get one. I was planning on just using this one to hold me over until I could get afford a new system, so a refurbished one should be fine for whatI need. And then I can just use the same hdd and get the cheaper 4gb slim.

@First two respondents: I'd like to get a new one, but the money just isn't there. I'm not working now as I've got almost no free time with school, sports, and then studying. I wouldn't be able to afford a new system until the summer, which I think is too long for me to wait.

@Huytttr: With the deal I'm looking at getting arefurbished console with one controller plus the 120gb hdd for around $150 (will be less since I also plan on trading in about 10 wii/ds games too on top of getting a Power Up card for credits towards games). Then there's a buy 2 used, get 1 used for free of lesser value that I plan on using for a game (since the hdd is 60 that should mean any used game is eligible). And a few of my friends said I could borrow games until I had a few of my own.

@JadeNic: Again, I'd like to but I just can't.

COKTAL

Here are some GameStop-specfic tips:

1) The systems on sale are both the refurbished and used standard XB360s - get a refurbished one (they're in the huge green + black boxes, not the much smaller white ones).

Also, GET A WARRANTY! GameStop includes a 30-day warranty. That's no much. Buy the year warranty. As somebody who has had the RRD multiple times, I cannot stress this enough.

2) No, they will not take the system out for you to look at. I don't want to make them out to be jerks - IT'S BLACK FRIDAY! They usually have lines that are 50+ people long in medium-sized stores. The rule for the associates is speed.

THAT BEING SAID! It is a Christmas present! GameStop will give you through January 15th, I believe, so long as you KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!

My advice, therefore, is to go in, wait in line, ask for a refurbished XB360 in a green + black box with an HDMI cable included (it says on the box on a big white sticker), pay, then leave. Forget opening the box and trying to look for the chip type. Do that at home, at your leisure, and just take it back if you want a different one.

3) When you go to take it back, take it on a weekday. I suggest even calling beforehand asking if they have 360s left and if they are busy.

4) Don't be a dick. They don't get paid $30/hour. Go in, say 'hey, got this as a gift, but it's not exactly what was asked for and I want to make it special.' You don't have to say it's for you. Make it sound like you're getting it as a gift for somebody else and not being selfish and they're often more likely to view you as the 'good guy/custumer'.

5) If they are not busy - and only if they are not busy - ask the manager if he would be willing to open a couple of them so you could check the chip type. Note that I do not know how to determine this, so you can ignore this step if there's no way to tell by just looking at the system.

Note: Yes, I worked at a GameStop for many years. I'm familiar with the processes and the staff procedures. If you have any other questions about GameStop specifically, just shoot me a PM and I'm more than happy to be of assistance.

Hope I was of help! Have a good Christmas!

As a side note on HDD, you can use an older model HDD on a Slim, you just have to use a Transfer Cable. Instead of transfering the data, it is possible to just leave it hooked up and use it as an external HD.

As for your second round of questions, there is no way to tell if it's been banned. This is where the warranty and such comes in, but I seriously doubt you'll have any issues. As I stated above, just go in and get the system. You an bring it back if you have any issues within 30 days and still keep the warranty (be sure they transfer the warranty!)

Get money for christmas, save a bit more and get a new Xbox 360.o0Pwnzorz0o