Is Microsoft/Xbox serious stating buy new controller every 4mo on avg if wish to have one...

That is a serious problem then. But if you have been through the troubleshooting guide found here

support.xbox.com/.../Controllers then buying a new controller or ordering a replacement are your only options

I contacted them today only to be told I have to purchase a new controller. I am not buying another controller to replace a defective controller that Microsoft clearly knows about. It is not right for customers to have to buy a new controller every six
months because you will not fix the issue with the controller and willingly replace defective controller at no charge. This is *** customer service and if this is not fixed I will not buy another xbox and will buy a playstation.

I had every playstation up until the xbox 360 came out and have been loyal ever since and now I feel like the consumers are getting the short end of the stick because microsoft does not care about its customers only money.

This is also why microsoft lost its deal with Call of Duty who went to playstation.

Customers come first not your money, this is how you keep loyal customers.

Atleast offer a new controller at a discounted price.

Ignore Ezak, there is no such update. As Daft Badger stated aftermarket HDDs do not have the necessary partition to play Xbox Originals. If you wish to play Xbox Originals you will need to buy a Microsoft-certified HDD.

I wish mate. Xbox will make some serious coin when they rerelease the unused gt

As stated the current system is totally inactive accounts across all Microsoft products and services are released after 5 years of non activity. This may change as the Microsoft Service Agreement is changing to 2 years of inactivity before your account is closed.
Also as mentioned, there is a new gamertag system rolling out, that will allow you to have the same gamertag as somebody else (with a suffix numeber at the end)

New and final update - I was eventually sent a return label (much later than the 24hrs microsoft state - I assume this is down to the pandemic but it's not ideal as it leaves one in a state of limbo waiting for the order to appear on your profile).

Sent the controller off and received a new one about a week later. So this process did work, it's just slow. It's not ideal that you have to jump these hoops, and if anyone at Microsoft ever reads this: I wish you would fix this (particularly as it seems to affect international customers).

I hope this convo did assist people.