Ok, so we've heard about a fair amount of people having problems with their Wii's; the worst being those that bricked after the update or required the boot disc.  Personally, I got an error code that kept me out of the Wii shop and it turns out it's kept me from playing around with the message board function. 

The message on Nintendo's support site said I had to send it in for factory repairs.  I really didn't want to have to do that since I had just gotten my Wii and I could still play games.  I sent an e-mail to Nintendo about this, but I didn't count on anything much coming out of it.  I decided I'd wait until sometime after Christmas to send it in and everything. 

I'm glad I waited.  Nintendo sent me an e-mail finally that says I'm eligible for their Advance Replacement program.  I had to call for the details and everything.  It was Sunday that I got the e-mail and yesterday I called and set up everything.  In fact, they said because of the holiday season the shipping was being upgraded for free and I should have my brand new, functioning Wii by Friday.  I had to provide a credit card number which they said they'd only use if they didn't have my old Wii within 21 days of the new one's arrival.  I haven't heard specifically, but I assume that they'll take the old Wii, repair it, and put it in a box and ship it out. 

So, the moral is: even though there are people with Wii problems, Nintendo is doing a great job of repairing and/or replacing in a timely manner.  They know we gamers, especially now, don't want to be without a Wii, especially after waiting in line for it.