Topic: Sending in my 3DS for repair again! Grrr...

The replacement system that Nintendo sent me has the same problems as my old 3DS.

• Loose hinge
• Loose L Button
• Touch screen feels "warped"

Probably not, because everyone I know with the 3DS has the first two, and the last problem you listed. If anything, see if you can get it fixed for free, if not, I don't think it's worth it.

send it in. why shell out for a whole 'nother one?

Yeah it would be a waste of money to buy a whole new 3DS when mine is only a couple months old.

But when Nintendo repairs systems, do they repair EVERYTHING that may be wrong with the system? Or do they only fix the issues that you mention?

Absolutely! I got one scratch across my 3D screen (as a result of that problem you described) and sent it in for a shell replacement. I can tell they tried to make is so it wouldn't happen again but they did not succeed so I just took out two rubber feet from my 360 and stuck em to the top corners of the inner top half to keep bottom and top from ever rubbing again. So just send it is and request full shell and button replacement and you should be good. Just find a fix for that screen rub issue quickly though cuz you wouldn't want it happening again!

I SPECIFICALLY told the person on the phone that I DID NOT want them to fiddle with anything technical AT ALL with the system after a very bad experience with a Wii repair. I would tell the same to your phone rep plus I also included an extra note the explicitly stated to not mess with ANYTHING internal with the system and JUST focus on the things I'm having issues with. Hope it all works out for ya!

They can do complete shell and button replacements?

I already talked to the customer service rep, and he told me that they would call me back if they need to send me a new 3DS (they want my permission before they do that). I told him I want to keep all the stuff on my SD card, so I hope he forwarded that message to the repair technicians.

He told me to keep my SD card at home, and to just send the 3DS without anything else.

Nintendo will send you fairly explicit instructions on what to do when you send in your 3DS; among those instructions is a notice to remove everything you have with your 3DS (including the SD card and stylus) and to include a sheet of paper with your contact/mailing info, repair order number, problems you want fixed and what you've sent in the package. Based on what happened when I sent my 3DS in, they will only address the problems you list on that sheet, as I had a scratch on my Circle Pad I didn't mention on the sheet and it was there when I got my 3DS back.

I already typed the repair info out, specifically mentioning that I wanted them to replace (or repair) the outer casing and all the buttons, if possible.

Here's what I wrote in my letter:

Reasons for repair:

• The top screen has vertical scratches from when the system is closed, the top screen rubs against the area around the touch screen.
• The Power button feels "mushy"
• The Left shoulder button feels slightly loose
• The D-pad feels loose
• The 3D Slider feels slightly loose

IMPORTANT!
If possible, I would like all buttons and the outer casing to be replaced.

DO NOT replace any internal components (motherboard, CPU, etc.). I have an SD card that has all my game data on it, and I would like to keep using the same SD card when I get my system back.

EDIT: For some reason, message formatting isn't working. I tried using italics [i] and strikethrough ( -word- ) , but nothing happened to the posted message.

@tendoboy - That is way more detailed than what I wrote: Top Screen is scratched near the edges, most likely due to bottom screen and top screen touching while the system is closed/in Sleep Mode.

So, that should be good. Don't forget your repair order number and shipping info!

Yeah I did all that, but I'm not posting the entire letter on here with all my personal info on it...

I put down every minor annoyance I had with the system, and apparently that was reason enough for them to send me a new one. Beware that your save data may not transfer over correctly (as mine didn't), but you can send it back in to fix that.

I told them not to repair or replace any internal components. I just want all the external stuff repaired (buttons, top screen, etc.).

Uggh I'm in this same boat! I want the scratches gone but I'm afraid ill loss all the people on my friends list! I'm really liking my system and would miss it for a week or two.

I sent in my DS from the hinge snapping off before and got it back really fast. I think in like 8 days. Ill wait till after the holidays and about two weeks before resident evil comes out! What good is a system if when the new version comes out and no one wants your old one because of the scratches. I'm sure most companies know about this problem and tell their employees to look out for it!

@Tech101

Well the shipping label says my 3DS is being shipped through FedEx Ground, and the repair center is in Georgia. I live in Arizona, so it will take about a week just for them to receive it!

FedEx. I hope this guy isnt making the delivery

Wow you people have no faith in repairs, do you? Why bother then...

Because Nintendo supposedly fixed/replaced the disc drive in my Wii, then about 5 months later Smash Bros. Brawl kept freezing again.

Why can't Nintendo just use disc drives that can read dual-layer discs? Xbox 360 and PS3 read dual-layer discs just fine.

Umm...
_{/me goes back to Metroid Trilogy, Smash Bros. etc.}

Xbox 360 says hi.