Junk Mail from Satellite Direct UK
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen complete mindless determination in the face of utterly overwhelming odds, but Satellite Direct have shown a lack of comprehension that is quite staggering in their recent marketing campaign. Today, they have raised the bar of ineptitude.
The Odds against Satellite Direct
The odds stacked up against Satellite Direct are not just high, they’re positively gargantuanly mind-bogglingly insurmountable; but this plucky little company won’t give up.
Satellite Direct want to sell us a warranty for our Sky satellite television receiver and they don’t give a stuff that we don’t own one.
It matters not a jot to them that we’ve never had one – why let a trifling little detail like that get in the way of a good marketing opportunity?
Disregarding Things
If you’re disregarding important things like checking that your victims potential customers have a need for your warranty then a few other forgetful moments won’t go amiss either, like forgetting to check if your victims potential customers are registered with the TPS.
We for example are registered with the TPS, so it’s unlawful, for Satellite Direct to call us and even try to sell us anything, but that’s not stopped them calling us twice (1,2) already, and comments are starting to arrive from others who have also been tele-spammed.
Satellite Direct Junk Mail
So if your tele-marking operations were facing repeated TPS complaints, what do you do?
Well I was most impressed today to hear from John Campbell whose 96 year old mum-in-law received a letter from Satellite Direct informing her that she too had an expired warranty on a Sky satellite receiver which has (like ours) never, ever, existed.
So that’s what Satellite Direct do, they switch to junk mail. We’re also registered with the Mailing Preference Service, so it’s also unlawful for Satellite Direct to directly send us junk mail.
It will therefore come as no surprise that we too have received a letter from Satellite Direct UK which opens:
The initial manufacturer’s warranty on your digital satellite (Sky TV) system has now expired and this leaves you open to expensive call out charges and repair costs should anything go wrong!
Profiting from Dishonesty?
If Satellite Direct can repeatedly badger us with this specious nonsense about the expiry of a warranty on a device which has never existed, then we must question how many real Sky customers are buying unnecessary warranties on machines that are still covered perfectly well by the original warranty?
Add todays letter to the call I received earlier this year telling me I’d won a flight to Turkey thanks to Data Partnership Solutions and One4Travel – which work in partnership with Satellite Direct UK and that makes four occasions when they’ve ignored the TPS and MPS and contacted us, then attempted to mislead us.
Countrywide that could scale up to a lot of unsolicited and unlawful telephone calls and junk mails, and a lot of unhappy customers.
Update: Satellite Direct UK’s business practices have subsequently been successfully challenged in the High Court by BSkyB.
197 Comments
It appears I am in the position as jeff. I too had a contract with Nationwide digital Satillite Warranty Services Ltd, I paid them last year £129.99 using my debit card, this expires August this year.
March I received a phone call appertaining to be from Sateillite Direct, to which I replied, I do not deal over the telephone and ended the call. On checking my on line bank details I found that £129.99 had been taken using my debit card details by Satellite Direct. Appears that this company had taken over Nationwide and obtained my details from them. After several phone calls I am still waiting for my money.
My next port of call will be reporting the incident to my bank as a fraudulant transaction.
I have just received a letter from Satellite Direct UK Ltd about my warranty on my Sky TV running out. Have had many of these in the past but ignored them as I didn’t have satellite but six months ago I signed up with Sky. Phoned Sky who said they only deal with Domestic and General so I reported them (Sat. Direct UK Ltd not Sky) to Trading Standards.
I am not giving away credit card or bank details to any suspicious company. Anyone actually had good service from them? Decided to Google them and guess what – came across this site! Most companies these days that are as sucessful as they claim to be have a website. I can even contact my doctor’s surgery by email for god’s sake but this site is all I can find out about them.
I just got a letter identical to the one in this article, not only do I not now or have at any point in the past subscribed to Sky, but it was addressed to my surname but a first initial which fits no-one in my family!
Well a week has passed and as you can guess, no refund yet from that pillar of commercial probity, Satellite Direct UK Ltd.Don’t despair readers, much can yet be achieved if we all stick together.
On the advice of Trading Standards,I have sent a recorded delivery letter outlining their two breaches of contract, particularly that relating to data protection. My credit card company have been notified and and I will be completing a compalaint form to enable them to pursue and take action
Trading Standards are also investigating and said that it would be good to hear from others affected by the activities of this company.
So get in touch with Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or on
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. The more people that do this, the better the chance of Trading Standards getting them sorted out.
Just one other point. When I asked to speak to their Finance Director, I was told they did not have one. Strange for a company handling what must be a large financial pot. They do allegedly have a Managing Director whose name is Mr David Reynolds. Don’t try to call him; apparently he does not take calls.
I’m just boarding up the family home now for when Mr.Reynolds decides to ‘SEND THE BOYS ROUND’
Have the boys been round yet Jeff? According to the anon sat d employee on 30/04 they were closing down???? How come they still sending letters out?
Hi Gillie,
Miracles do happen.
Satellite Direct have at last credited my account and I hope, removed my credit card details from their data base. However they don’t read the written word too well as they have also cancelled my original contract that has six months to run.
Never mind I’m glad to be out of their clutches.
I am still completeing the complaint form for my credit card comapny as I beleive that Satellite Direct may give in when a ‘tougher cookie’ starts saber rattling. Also everthing I have seen and read about this company’s activities and its possible dirivitives they need to be investigated by the relevant authorities.
Hi Jeff
That’s good news – at least it’s some sort of result. These companies are like parasites. People who work for them must be so desperate for work or they don’t have any scruples. Keep up the good fight.
Gillie
received one of the warranty letters this morning,did’nt think that people like this still existed anymore lets hope they disappear and creep back under whatever stone they came from.
glasfryn
I wish I had seen all of this info on Sat Support Ltd, and Satellite Direct. I received a call from ANDY phone 08702402473 saying my manufacturers warranty on my Sky Equipment had or was about to expire.He offered extended warranty and quoted £120 for year, with cover for all eventualities. I was interested -but stupidly gave him my debit card number to set up D/Debits. I had not fully appreciated that direct debit agreements shoud be written and signed and sent back for them to be set up. I now find by looking at bank account (Internet ) to see that Satellite Direct have taken £10 from my account. I have contacted my bank and had the card blocked so they cannot take any mre money. This was totally my stupid fault, but a hard lesson learned. Hope others see this message and don’t fall into the same trap. Sky only recommend DOMESTIC & GENERAL and on contacting Sky Repair Team Plan on 08702 40 43 00 they have set up a plan for me underwritten by DomGen at £99 for year (£8.25 per month)
SKY REPAIR plan is for SKY+ box but they confirm that SKY HDBox is covered under the same plan.
It seem that we are all at the mercy of these companies even sky . we have the sky plan with general & domestic. and we have had awful trouble tying to get a repair. we have had two visits and on the second one the engineer took away our perfectly good sky box and fitted another refurbished one I asked him nor to do this as i would not sigh for it. he laughed and said no problem and sighned for me he said they would never even notic. the box he fitted will not work at all we have been without for 6 days now . sky keep saying they will be fixing it . this man was really scarry as we are pensioners and also quite disabled so could not stop him phsically.so what can we do it appears nothing as sky tell us thay answer to no one.
We’ve been receiving letters from Satellite Direct since October. All addressed to my husband and he always rips them up and throws them away. This week we received a photocopy of a Direct Debit mandate, addressed to me, with a comment stating that we had incorrectly filled in our bank details and would I please amend the mandate and return in the S.A.E provided. The bank details on the mandate are completely fictional. I have since returned the incomplete mandate and a note saying that it’s a scam and we’ve sent copies to the TV show Watchdog. I cannot and will not condone a company that deliberately misleads people into parting with their money.
Although my problem with this scum bag company was sorted out a few weeks ago, I keep an eye on this site to see if others still suffer their fraudulent activities.
The latest scam described by ej proves that the general public in the democracy we call Great Britain is not defended against all forms of criminallity.
What I fail to understand after the number of complaints that must have been sent to Consumer Direct is, that the people behind Satellite Direct have not been removed from commercial life.
One would have thought that much of what they do is contrary to English Law.
After reading the letter from the Foul mouthed animal “Anon” (JAN 22nd 2007) who purports to be an employee of Satellite UK. All I can say, from my own experience, is Rubbish. It is pointless in telling these “people” that you you are with TPS or MPS. I have done this repeatedly and have even gone to the lengths of threatening them with the DATA PROTECTION Act for using my personal details against my express wishes to the contrary, which is a criminal offence. It makes no difference. to these shysters. a few weeks later we will get another call or a letter.
One thing is certain. If and when our Sky box does eventually fail, we will probably go on to Freeview, so Sky will lose a customer altogether. It obviously won’t bother them but, this “Company” should be dealt with by Sky and preferably closed down.
I work for a very well known bank and deal with
people being scammed by this company on a daily
basis. It’s totally ridiculous as they refuse to
refund the money they have taken under false
pretenses as their smallprint covers them for
all eventualities.
I can’t wait for someone to sue the scumbags.
These Satalite Direct Are crooks and lousy ones at that. They haven’t even taken the time to check if I have or ever had Sky, I haven’t!
Don’t give these thieves a penny anyone!
Soon they will go bankcrupt and start again under a new name or with a new scam!
Throw their spam mail into the bin and hang up if they phone!
My son, who lives with me, today received a letter Satellite Direct inviting him to take extended cover for Sky. Remarkable, my son does not have Sky, does not have a listed phone number, and yet they still manage to write to him (I believe twice now). We are just fed up with being bombarded with this unsolited mail and telephone calls. Won’t they take notice that we are not interested.
I received my first letter from Satellite Direct a few months ago when my Sky+ warranty still had months to run, so I just ignored it. Then about a month ago I got a second letter which I kept because the warranty was nearing the end (July 18th). About 10 days ago I got my third letter & thought I might take out the warranty but noticed on the bottom of the letter it states (in small print) that “Satellite Direct UK Ltd and Satcover Ltd are independent companies from Sky and are not authorised, associated or approved by Sky to sell extended service agreements” This made me think twice so I decided to check them on the internet & came across this site. Needless to say that after reading all the comments I will not be taking out a new warranty with them. Incidently, Anon stated on 30th April that “as a result of the injunction being slapped on Sat D the company will no longer be ringing anyone or sending anyone letters”. If that is so, how have I received two letters in the last month? Also I am registered with TPS & MPS but still get phone calls & junk mail from different companies, do any of these companies care?
Received a call from them again today, even though I have now been registered with TPS for a couple of years now.
they were though this time calling themselves Satellite Support and gave the usual rubbish of our warrenty running out.
Duncan on 08702 402 473 called me. Based in Brighton.
Of course, I have also passed these details onto the TPS.
Am at present insured with Domestic & General,which expires next month. So did complete a form to switch to Satellite Direct as they seems only to deal with satellite systems.I have received two letters from them, but they don’t say what to do if you have to make a claim.
However I thought I would check the Web before sending the form back, pleased I did and will stay with Domestic & General.
After deciding not to contact Satellite Direct I phoned Domestic & General. They quoted me £135 for 1 year which only covers the Sky+ box. This seems very high as my son says he can buy a Sky+ box for less than that. Does anyone know of a cheaper way to insure the box & cover for all other eventualities? Also how do I let TPS know about any unwarranted phone calls?
Hi all!
I came across this site after Googling a company who spam-called me today – “The Wheelie Bin & Window Cleaning Co”. Interestingly I’ve also been plagued by SD in the past, despite being TPS and MPS registered. As they’re based in Brighton too it seems they may be expanding the enterprise!
WARNING….. yes it’s a scam but people calling from 08702 402 473 are somewhat more sinister, They are a data collection company and I understand they are working with such companies as HFO services (A Debt collector!!) based just outside London,
You can also expect some calls from India too with pigeon English trying to get Personal Data from you, Beware of other posts on this and other simalar websites that might try and use an old trick used by magicians to try and distract you from the root purpose – of their calls, Take it from me there’s alot of money in peoples personal data and debt collecting and they are using every dirty trick in the book and some new ones to try and get your personal data, just confirming your name and or possibly your date of birth might be all they need to confirm they have found you.
Debt’s they are chasing go back many years so if you have a little debt somewhere in your past consider very carefully when you pick up the phone what you say, it might be better to ask who’s calling first and why BEFORE you confirm your name, even so they could be lying to you off from the start so be careful if you have anything to hide.
If I’m talking rubbish, answer this question…. The telephone preferance service, the police, trading standards or BBC’s watchdog would have acted by now, think about it, they wouldn’t just let such a scam (if it were a scam) go on for over a year and a half now would they? no, they would have been shut down 16 months+ ago. they are a data collection company trying to trap you and get past debt’s paid. so be careful out there!
In respect of No.41. Satellite Direct had started taking out of my bank account £9.00 in August, September, October and November without my permission. I did have a warranty paid up front for 2 years,which I presumed came from Sky. Has anybody else experienced this kind of thing?
Satellite Direct have twice sent my mother a letter informing her that her satellite warranty has expired. Not only has she never had a staellite or Sky system but she has now been dead for three years.
These letters have caused great distress to my father.
Satellite Direct have failed to respond to my letter requesting information under the Data Protection Act and I have now referred the matter to Trading Standards
In response to comment 20 from a supposed employee it is no wonder that they cannot get their information right when they are clearly emotionally and mentally challenged and cannot even spell INDEPENDENT.
However, under the Data Protection Act 1998 you can write and request that your name and details are removed from their list. They must comply within 28 days.
An interesting quote from the Satellite Direct website
“Satellite Direct UK Ltd is the Uk’s largest independent provider of service agreements for digital satellite (Sky TV) systems. Satellite Direct UK Ltd is an independent company not connected to, or authorised by Sky to sell service agreements.
dodgey dave reynolds is on watchdog monday 10th march, should be interesting to see him squirm.
I had a cold call from a company called SatSupport yesterday – like others, I’ve had telephone cold calls banned for years and this is the first cold call I’ve had. I recently had a Sky Plus box installed.
Fortunately I’d seen the BBC’s Watchdog programme the previous week, so I put the phone down on them (the number was 08716641482) . I think the only answer is NEVER to agree to anything on the phone from a company that calls you cold. Ask them to send you information so that you can take time to make a decision. No decent company would refuse this.
Does anyone else here recal.You have to give your name ader,for their garentee when you buy from COMET.This is where I think they got my details from.
We’ve had three calls from them over the last few days, on each of our two phone lines. The 2nd line is only used for a sky broadband connection, and they are the only people ever to have been given the number. (Although the main line is down as contact number, they insist on phoning us on the broadband line.) Since we get warranty calls on that number, it strongly suggests that Sky are themselves releasing the number.
Here’s an interesting link:
http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/Public/TF_ADJ_43603.htm
re Digital Satellite Warranty Cover Ltd (merged with Satellite Direct UK)
The ASA were unhappy with their activities. I suggest that anybody who received anything in the post from them, especially when they don’t have Sky, forward the letter to them.
I have just been conned by this firm, they contacted me even though I am a member of TSP and told me they were the company I already have a sky repair plan with but were informaing me of a price drop! even though I asked lots of questions about the call and the plan and why it wasn’t automatically renewed as it is every year, the caller was plausible and unfortunatley I was dupped. I am now trying to get my money back. The company are overdue with accounts but it will take time to for them to be struck off the Companies House register. My next step is to report them to trading standards and the police.
Don’t think Rob that the polices or trading standards have any teeth on this issue. Mr Reynolds has been running this and other similar scams for some time now and the bodies you mention are well aware of his activities.
Unfortunately British law protectcts these con artists, partitly under the laws of limted liability.
If we really want to get him then he will have to break American corporate law and then our wonderfull Government will agree to extradite hime under some obsure terrorism act….lol
dave reynolds has been done for money laundring
Whilst I completely agree that their marketing techniques may be at best questionable & in some cases it appears illegal, they do actually offer a very good repair / replacement service.
Why do I immediately question Alan’s impartiality?
I very much doubt you work for the company as you hide behind the “anon” name. I am also on TPS and one of YOUR employees allegedly with the name “Elliott Quant” had stated that my sky warranty was not longer valid from Sky. (Well you uninformed idiots from Satellite Direct I only took a warranty out with Sky about 3 weeks prior to this call).
Firstly, all you employees at Satellite Direct need to get a life and conduct your business in a professional manor instead of badgering people into buying a useless warranty which SKY themselves can provide.
I would also suggest you obtain a list from TPS instead of ringing anyone and hoping they are not registered.
I would suggest anyone not happy with this company should inform the office of fair trading and also report them to TPS if your are registered
why not send dave an email expressing your disappointment?
info@satellitedirectuk.com
What you could do is: tell them that you are interested but that your bank details have changed and you need to go and find them – ask them to “hang on a minute” while you go and get them.
Then leave the phone off the hook until they give up. Sure it puts your landline out of use for a short while, but it costs them time and money.
On a more serious note, beware of a company calling themselves “Not Just Aerials”, who call from the number 0871 6641448. This is just “Satellite Direct” by another name, operating their latest scam.
And this one really is a scam, way beyond selling extended warranty on a Sky box.
You get a recorded announcement warning of the impending digital switchover and how you will need a “digital aerial” in order to continue receiving television broadcasts. They then invite you to answer “yes” or “no” after the tone if you would like a follow-up call. Of course, they should not have called in the first place, as I’m on the TPS, but that’s never stopped them in the past.
Have a look at their website FAQ (http://notjustaerials.co.uk/faq) to see just how dishonest they are. The answers to each FAQ do not actually answer the question. For example, the question: “Why do I need to have a digital aerial?” is answered by a very long and poorly written sentence that includes the gem: “you have to upgrade because analogue equipment will be shut down nationwide”. This is deliberately designed to mislead. Although analogue television broadcasting equipment is due to be shut down, the whole point of Freeview is that you can receive digital broadcasts through your existing aerial. The real answer is that you do not need to upgrade.
Let me just make this perfectly clear – YOU DO NOT NEED A DIGITAL AERIAL OR DIGITAL CABLES TO RECEIVE DIGITAL TELEVISION.
There’s not even any such thing as a “digital aerial”. They may call themselves “Not Just Aerials”, but all they’re selling is a large analogue TV aerial, with an ordinary co-axial analogue cable.
Hi Rich,
I live in Bognor Regis and for about 16 years worked for a busy electronics
company. After the last big recession they joined with one of their sister
companies and moved to Devon. Some time ago I noticed that one of the buildingss
had been taken by a company called Satellite Direct UK. I thought I recognised
the name from a Watchdog programme. A few days ago I spoke to a couple of the
youngsters on a “fag break” and found it is their call centre, I then googled
them and found your site. For anyone that wants to contact them their main
address is given as Imperium Hous, Ford Lane, Arundel, W.Sussex,BN18 0DF.
Phone. 08716 641400 (not a premium rate but dearer than their regional
code 01903) e_mail info@satellitedirectuk.com
The call centre is Satellite Direct U.K., Durban Road, Bognor Regis, PO22 9QT.
You can try phoning on 01243 867893 or 01243 824258. Good hunting.
Another piece of advice that applies to ANY company that you don’t know or
trust.DON’T give your card details OR set up Direct Debit. Tell them you will
set up a standing order. If they want your business they will accept this.
That way YOU remain in control of your bank account and nobody else gets their
sticky fingers into it to take money without your authority . Best rgds.
John.
I just received a marketing call from 08716641482 calling themseves Play TV trying to sell me subscripion with no line rental. I told the caller that she was breaking the TPS regulations (since my phone no is registered) and she became heated and slammed the phone dowm
I have just had a call from Play TV on 08716641482. I said that I was registered with the TPS. The response was “Maybe you were, but you have to re-register each year.” I said that this was untrue. For once he did not argue and the call was ended. The fact is – you DO NOT have to re-register with the TPS. Play TV, as the company now seems to be called, are pedalling more lies now.
I have received two phone calls from a James Valentine of 165-167 Dyke Road, Hove trying to sell me warranty cover for my sky TV systems. He seems to be trading as Sat Link Services Ltd. He descibes what is covered verbally but when I ask for it in writing all he sends is an application form inviting me to complete a direct debit which does not tell me who I am paying other than their originators identification number which is 648325. He asks for a payment by cheque to be payable to Satlink Services Ltd and says details of the cover is on http://www.satellitedirectuk.com. He says that on receipt of payment he will confirm cover by phone. I am very suspicious as nothing is ever in writing other than the payment form. The payment form has no phone number or address on it. Is it insurance in which case who is the insurance company? Are they approved of by Sky? They offer cover for up to three years. What guaranteee is there that they will still be in existance in three years time. Are their engineers approved of by Sky or will Sky disown any work they do.
Satellite Direct UK have been taking £6.50 out of my Bank every month by Direct Debit for years and last week I wanted my system repairing. I phoned their 0870 number on and off for 3 days without getting to speak to anyone, I have e-mailed them and written to them, but no contact. Keep well clear of them as I think they are a SCAM.
does anyone know if this company is also linked to something corporation, phone, mobile, broadband etc?
yes they are they have telephone and braodband deals? going on be careful..
Just confirming that Something Corporation plc is certainly linked to Satellite Direct !
I was a victim of their (Something Corporation’s) phone scam, the first I knew about Something Corporation plc was when I received a letter from them (I was convinced that I had been speaking to Sky!)and the first that I knew of Satellite Direct was when that name appeared on as a reference on my credit card statement.
Also the name Play TV UK Ltd appeared on some of the correspondence that was sent to me, so they may also be part of this lot.
Sky do not support these companies. I took out warranty with them understanding that they were appointed by Sky, but when I had problems with my box I discovered they were not.However Satellit Direct have visited me on 2 occasions and given me satisfactory service.However I received a telephone call about a month ago saying that they were offering me a reduced Warranty as they wanted to hold onto their existing subscribers with the competition which exists.They then took £180 from my bank account under the name of Satellite Support. There seems to be differing opinion as to whether this is the same company.
I sent a letter special delivery about 3 weeks ago to Satellite Direct and rec eived no acknowledgement. I have also tried phoning to get only a recorded message to hold but no one answers. I have also sent 3 E-Mails
which have been answered with the fact that they have a problem with their E-Mail system so please phone or write.
I had a warranty arrive from Satellite Support about 3 weeks after their phone call stating that I could stop the agreement if I replied within 10 days.I did this but have had no acknowledgement,
THANK YOU for your warning! As of March 2009 that number has just started calling me.
Just to say we have had a call from these people , so they are still operating. Very persistant and dont actually listen when you tell them you dont want to hear from them again.
Well – I have just been scammed out of £145 by these leechers. They took 10x the monthly fee out of my account, blaming a wrong decimal point as the reason – have not refunded, now all known numbers fro them do not work. Looking on the net, this is not the first time they have pulled this trick, been doing it for 4 years. Bank gave my my money back but think that as they will not be able to get thier money back from SD, I will have to give it back to the bank anyway. oh well, goodbye £145. Just a note, sky’s insurance service is leagl and general