Tags: Scams
Phone Spam from Satellite Direct UK
November 23rd, 2006, by Rich.
I just got another call from Satellite Direct UK telling me that my Sky warranty needs renewing. Oddly enough, nothing has changed since their last call. We are still registered with the TPS so it’s unlawful for them to phone us and we still don’t have a Sky box, so it’s definitely not out of it’s warranty period, which they again suggested. Satellite Direct UK you are not morons: stop ignoring the TPS.
Update: Looks like we’re not the only recipients of their unwanted sales calls: Longrider (also called twice) points out a host of others.
Update: Satellite Direct UK’s business practices have subsequently been successfully challenged in the High Court by BSkyB.
Update 2008/03/10: Satellite Direct UK are investigated by BBC Watchdog (it’s available on iPlayer for 1 week after broadcast).
March 16th, 2008 at 10:58 am
My mother died a couple of weeks ago and in sorting out her estate have discovered that she has been missold several sky warrantees. She had Sky Repair Plan - no prob! However, to my disgust, also the same service duplicated over the last few years to Satcover Ltd, Digital Services Ltd, Systemguard (Harlands). When I rang Systemguard after her death and asked why was this service activated when she already had Sky Repair Plan, the chap said that she responded to a mailshot and it is up to the customer to be aware of whether they are already covered. I said that she was a confused elderly person ( only now aware that she most likely had senile dementia) and she assumed the repair plan was a continuation of what she already had. She loved watching quiz shows on Sky and didn’t want to miss out on her favorite programmes.
She also got done on several occasions by energy companies by tricking her into signing change of supply contracts - but that’s another issue (just proves that she was more confused that we knew).
Any point in contacting Trading Standards? Any advice appreciated. Thanks.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:01 am
A former member of staff from Satellite Direct stole customers data from Satellite Direct and started up the business Satellite Assured…how professional.
They continue to call customers that already have a coverplan and offer to ‘reduce the rate’ as I too have had the phone call from them. They do not introduce themselves, where as Satellite Direct DO! If they introduce themselves, then it is the customers fault if they do not understand that.
You would have to be stupid if you have been told at the beginning of the call.
I dont know why Satellite Direct are being targeted when there are companies like Zenith Windows calling you 24/7!!!
March 17th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Hi Nick,
re targeting: There is no targeting - this is my website and I write about things that happen to me. In this case Satellite Direct called me, ignoring the TPS, and attempted to mislead me on more than one occasion. They subsequently mailed me also on more than one occasion, again ignoring the MPS. Since then there have been many other unhappy customers who’ve realised that they, or the people they care for, have been misled into buying an unnecessary warranty, those people have commented. That’s not targeting, that’s customer feedback of the worst kind.
re data theft: if this can be proved, then its a matter for the police; otherwise it’s merely speculation or potentially a false accusation either intended to damage a competitor or hide the truth. You’ve spoken to the police already I assume.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
hi rich,after carefully reading your comments and looking at the amount of time you have put in to this site i think you have spent far to much of your own time on this project of the ins and outs of satellite warranties it now seems its becoming an obsession or an addiction!it seems to me that you have highlighted this area in depth and have given people a good but somtimes not correct insight on what to do or advise on what path to take now im sure people can come to there own conclusion and have enough brain power and self awareness to live there lifes without this site!many thanks mr kid
March 17th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Gosh thanks for your concern Jon! It actually takes next to no time at all because the majority of the research is done by readers, I just collate and encourage. For example, you’ve been a bit vague in suggesting that some of the collective insight here may be “incorrect”, yet you’ve not mentioned precisely what it is that you disagree with or can improve. If there’s something you have specific insight into, then please feel free to indulge us.
March 18th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
By chance noticed withdrawal from my bank account of £36 bank supplied details of drawee. This was STUART KING SATELLITE ASSURED LTD 16 THE MIDWAY BOGNOR REGIS WEST SUSSEX PO 22 7HA. Soon a direct debit dropped on my mat from SATELLITE DIRECT UK LTD, IMPERIUM HOUSE, FORD LANE, FORD, WEST SUSSEX BN18 0DF for £60. Theres only 2 words to say to them and the second is off.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I had dealings with Satalite Assured last year when they mislead me into believing that I was renewing my sat cover. I have now received a letter demanding that I pay £54.00, or else they will put in the hands of debt collectors. Has anyone else received this threat in the past and have debt collectors been involved?
March 19th, 2008 at 10:54 am
My wife had dealings with Satellite Assured Ltd about 2 years ago.
We have just recieved a letter demanding £65.00 with the threat of debt collectors if we don’t pay. Neither of us can recall having a telephone call from them to renew any warranty.
Contacted Consumer Direct and now have a reference number for the complaint. I’ll be contacting the FSA and Watchdog today as well.
Also I’ve sent a 14 day letter to SA requesting all documents and contracts regarding my wife and I. (sent by recorded delivery)
I’ll keep you updated
March 19th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I had a conversation with Sattelite Assured this evening on behalf of my mum and dad who had received a threatening letter from them asking for £65 or they would send a debt collecting agency round to collect the outstanding monies.
My Dad had already spoken to a lady the previous day to say that he had cancelled the contract within a few days of them first calling him, as he had contacted Sky and they told him that Sattelite Assured were nothing to do with Sky, yet the representative who phoned my dad said that they were part of Sky.
I spoke to a chap called Billy Clucas who claimed to be a senior representative of the company. He was very rude and childish, and when I asked him for information, he just proceeded to repeat everything I said to him because he couldn’t answer my questions and he at one point said “I bet i’m really getting under your skin aren’t I?” to which I just laughed and said no, not really you are just very childish.
I have taken legal advise from a solicitor, who basically said that unless you have a name of a person you spoke to, or proof that a call was made to their offices (itemised phone bill), there isn’t an awful lot you can do. If you do have the proof, you will have a good case for misrepresentation. As my dad has no proof of his call to Sattelite Assured when he called to cancel the contract, and no longer has his itemised bill, he is left with little alternative but to pay the bill.
If you are in a similar position, always get the name of a person that you have spoken to, a date and a time of the call and if they do record the phonecalls as they say they do, they should be able to back track to the time of the call and there will be your proof.
If you get a call from them asking you to take out a policy, just tell them you are not interested and hang up. Unfortunately my dad has had to learn the hard way!
March 20th, 2008 at 11:21 am
hello there people , i have been following this site for a while , not all satellite warenty companies are a rip off , i got a call from 2switch you over digital services asking if i had sky television , the answer was yes as do 8million other people in england , the chap that spoke to me was polite and explained to me about them being a new company i took him up on the offer of a year warranty wich i took out over two payments , 3 weeks later my sky box just stopped and i gave them a call , i had a replacement sky plus box a day later , ive since had 3 calls from other companies telling me that they are sky and they will beat the offer i already have but as far as im aware sky use the name domestic and genrel so i dont see how all these companies can opperate on the basis of pretending they are sky , i think its down to the person to know if they are covered or not. look forward to hearing your response