X-Box Downloads

[Barmaid]

We have an xbox live account because I like to watch Iplayer through the xbox. Sometimes when stepson puts it on for his games it says there are updates which he downloads and they appear to be FOC.

He is now playing Transformers Fall of Cybertron and he keeps asking me if he can download some new stuff. However, it looks to me like these "extras" are chargeable. I can't work it out.

On the left hand side there is a menu of downloads with figures next to them one is 80 and one is 800 so I assume that means there is a cost, but it is unclear what "unit" these costs are in.

I don't really want him downloading a shed load of stuff and then me getting an enormous bill.

a) how can I tell how much things cost and
b) how can I make sure he only downloads stuff that we allow him to without me having to take out a second mortgage?

TIA

[Booldawg]

these additional extras are charged in xbox live points which is pre-paid credit bought pretty much like a top-up card on a mobile phone.

2100 points is around 20 GBP.

Personally I dont have my bank details on XBOX because the less they know the better. I just use the pre-paid XBL 12 month membership card, which again is pre-paid and used like a top-up card.

Maybe someone else can shed some light into how buying stuff on your bankcard works? I'm sure you'd need to enter the email address and password associated with your xbox live account?

[Barmaid]

Thank you Booldawg - that makes a lot of sense. Given that I've just checked and our account balance is 0 I think that means he won't be able to download anything because like you I haven't put my bank details on there. Phew.

Perhaps I shall explain it to him and he might want to use some of his Christmas money to buy downloads.

[Barmaid]

DLC? Lockdown? HELLLLLLPPPPP.

(Bear in mind that whilst i like to watch Iplayer on the Xbox someone has to work it for me!)

[Booldawg]

you can pick the xbox live points cards at most supermarkets.

its like a scratch card with a unique 16 digit number on it. Just go to 'account' and 'redeem code' Enter the number and you're credited the points.

once they're gone, they're gone. Theres no comeback on you or your bank account.

[Barmaid]

lol - thank you. I shall attempt to sort it out when he is absent. Although I don't think he plays online.

[Barmaid]

I'll see if he wants to download - that gives me a perfect excuse to send him and his father out to the shops.

[onehand]

hi

yeah dont put your bank details on there, i made that mistake and my 5 year old bought me 5000 points for £50 and they wouldnt refund a penny :(

now i get all my points prepaid from the shop

[ChillDoubt]

Buy your xbox points via ebay, 2100 points roughly £16(that's what I paid for my son's points over Xmas).
Code will arrive via email once bought, cheaper than buying them via credit card.

[DC_FC]

Thumbs up for not storing your card details on the console, saves alot of hassle if some points are "accidently" purchased.