OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA I have been bragging and going on about how much I love my new Zune Originals.  I even bought a Griffin clear hard case at Target that I wanted to share as well. So it is unfortunate that I have decided to send it in for repair/replacement.  I may not even get back my Red, substituting for a black. Call me petty but when I spend more than $100 on an item I want it to at least meet some quality standards when it reaches my hands or home.  

After spending much time looking closely at my Zune I noticed a few issues that opened up to a few more issues.  It's sad how we continuously have quality issues with products from China.  I at one point believed China was trying to kill us slowly with the amount of lead products, razor blades in candy, paint in toys that metabolizes in the stomach as GHB (a.k.a date rape drug), and now my precious Zune.

I have read many times about dead pixels and dust under the screen.  I have found dust under the glass, scratches from taking it apart and a broken tab on the case (all of this due to them taking it apart to perform the custom engraving.)  See the pictures after the break.

 

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Dead pixel found.  It fades and grows but won't go away.  I even tried running a pixel fixer video (found in the ZuneBoards) that plays Red Green Blue flashes to help combat the problem.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Access door scratches. Very difficult to see in this picture but there are scratches on the door as if a metal tool (flat head screwdriver) was forced into the door to open.  This is a plastic door and only hard rubber, plastic, or wood tools should have been used to open the door.  After taking the door off I got to see the most disheartening problem of all.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Broken face support tab.  This has to be the worst damage of all since this will eventually lead to the structural integrity of the face plate.  possible even breaking the other side.  The last problem was a little bit of glue around the touch pad used to hold the ring on, this was easily removed by rubbing gently with a rubber tipped tool I keep in my kit.

My conclusion:  Be sure to inspect your Zune Originals!  You should not have this problem with the retail chains and if you do they will be easier to exchange.  If you do not order an Artist Tattoo then you probably will receive a good Zune as well.