Why Xbox Live Doesn't Take Exact Change

With ever-more tempting content on Xbox Live (like the awesome Exit), it's really frustrating to have to 'overpay' and buy Points in bulk. 1up got an official response from Xbox 360 group product manager Aaron Greenberg on that issue, explaining why the service always leaves you with a little bit left over: "The reason why we do that, the core reason, is around credit card transaction fees ... If we do this in bulk, we don't have to burden the consumer with the transaction fees, or ourselves or publishers. It's about keeping infrastructure costs down and I know sometimes it's frustrating because you end up with odd points, but we don't have any plans to change that." Greenberg also addressed why the service limits you to 100 friends on your friends list.

Re:100 friends is harcoded client side

[j235]

"100 friends ought to be enough for anyone."

The hot dog problem.

[Kaenneth]

Why do hot dogs come 10 to a pack, but the buns come 8 to a pack?

I always end up with leftover buns or dogs, forcing my to buy more, over and over!

It's a conspiracy!

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_350.html [straightdope.com]