The solution

With my COD4 obsession in full force and with games like Army of Two and Rainbow 6:Vegas 2 coming out in a few weeks I simply cannot be without an XBOX 360 for a month or more. But I also cannot afford to outright buy a new 360.

Costco has an incredible return policy. 90 days, no questions asked. That was the plan, buy a new one at Costco and return it when I get my repaired one back. There is a Costco about 5 miles from where I work so at lunchtime on Thursday I went there to get an XBOX 360. There was only one flaw in my brilliant plan: They were not selling any XBOX 360s. They had plenty of PS3s but no 360s. In a panic and my plan in tatters, I went to the Walmart next door. 14 day return policy. Damn! Not enough time. Spotted a Best Buy and went there, 30 day return policy, all right plan B in effect, grabbed an Arcade for $279, $303 after taxes! The only problem is that they have a 15% restocking fee, so I'll be paying a $40 rental fee for my months use.

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A deal too good to turn down.