Yes. Today I receive another letter from them. Despite the hassle of dealing with them in this post, they’ve sent me another letter. Further below I disect the letter, but first I want to draw your attention to an Advertising Standards Authority ruling:
Advertising Standards Authority ruling on previous mailing from Digital Satellite Warranty Cover Ltd.
Before you read that, I should draw your attention to three things:
- Digital Satellite Warranty Cover Ltd. had a complaint against them upheld on the grounds that their previous mailings breached CAP Code clause 7.1 on the grounds of TRUTHFULNESS.
- Digital Satellite Warranty Cover Ltd. had a complaint agsint them upheld on the grounds that their previous mailings breached CAP code clause 43.2 on the grounds of database practice. They won’t even tell the ASA where they get their mailing list from.
- Digital Satellite Warranty Cover Ltd. had a complaint against them upheld on the grounds that their previous mailings breached CAP code clause 7.1 on the grounds of TRUTHFULNESS.
You’ll get the point of why I’ve over emphasised those three points, and used such large red letters to emphasise that the company breached rules on truthfulness when you see a reconstruction of what they send people:
So, if you get a letter from:
Digital Satellite Warranty Cover Ltd., Unit 5, Capitol Trading Park, Kirkby Bank Road, Kirkby L33 7SY
You can safely throw it in the bin. I opened mine, and was confronted with a big red “IMPORTANT NOTICE” which was “REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION”. Their capitals, not mine. As with the last time they wrote to me, I was a little sceptical as to how factual their letter heading was.
Foolishly, I read on, I’m re-writing here the exact colour/bold/grammar that they sent me…
“YOUR SKY DIGITAL SATELLITE SYSTEM WARRANTY IS DUE TO EXPIRE.” I’ll correct them here, my Sky box was covered by a standard warranty which expired several years ago.
“WHY WAIT 3 DAYS FOR A SERVICE CALL, WHEN OUR UNIQUE SAME DAY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FROM ONLY £5.99 PER MONTH.” Since you ask, I wouldn’t pay that because if I had put that amount in a bank account each month since my Sky warranty expired, I could afford to buy a new HD box for myself.
“Call 0871 423 7974 without delay”
I’m wondering why they request my telephonic company so immediately, and find the answer in their smaller block capitals…
AS SOON AS YOUR SKY DIGITAL SYSTEM IS OVER 12 MONTHS OLD, YOUR STANDARD SKY WARRANTY EXPIRES. IN SHORT THE SYSTEM IS NOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. NO MORE FREE CALL-OUTS!
IF YOU REQUIRE A SERVICE CALL AND YOUR SKY DIGITAL SYSTEM IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, YOU WILL NOW BE CHARGED A MINIMUM CALL OUT FEE OF £72. [I assume this is the feeble excuse they have found to write to me again, but it holds no water.]
RESTORE PEACE OF MIND AND EXTEND YOUR SKY DIGITAL WARRANTY WITH US. WE’RE ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY WITH EASY PAYMENT OPTIONS BY CHEQUE, DIRECT DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD
OUR UNIQUE SAME DAY SERVICE* MEANS THAT IF YOU CALL OUR SERVICE LINE BEFORE 10AM WE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO HAVE AN ENGINEER AT YOUR HOUSE THAT DAY. [Three things strike me, a * in a sentence, not a 1 which would look semi-professional; the other two are that they will endeavour to have an engineer at my house that day. What is endeavour? How hard will you really try? Come on, I don't want to be left without the latest Katie Price and Peter Andre story on Living TV! Another question, would this engineer care to show me his professional qualification upon arrival, along with his I.D.?]
I finally find the little * at the bottom of the large upper case capitals. I squint to see the smallest writing.
*service calls dependent on engineer availability and stock levels. (Not including weekends or bank holidays.)
Sorry, my mobile phone insurance costs far less, and guarantees me someone with a replacement phone on my door that day, are you even trying to provide a service here?
I’m sorry, I don’t buy it. Although I’m not going to get a warranty for a Sky box that’s done fine for several years, I felt obliged to check my options. Here’s a price-comparison: [28 June 2008]
| DSWC Ltd. | SKY | |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Sky System | £5.99 per month | £5.75 per month, for 3 boxes |
| Sky+ | £9.59 per month | £8.25 per month, inc 1 SkyHD or Sky+ box or 2 normal boxes |
| Two Simple Sky Systems | £9.99 per month | £5.75 per month for THREE boxes |
| Sky+ and a Simple Sky System | £12.99 per month | £8.25 per month, includes TWO Simple Sky Systems |
I’m sorry, I’d rather pay the lower price to Sky for a next day service. Maybe three days at the outset, if they are really busy and somoene’s off with gastric flu, just to cover themselves.
I haven’t given a good enough idea of how childishly Digital Satellite Warranty Cover Ltd. convey themselves in their letter. I really cannot recall ever having received any information in writing which was an “IMPORTANT NOTICE” which was “REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION” with those two parts covering 1/7 of a page. Any solicitor, hospital or doctor etc who has felt the requirement to write to me has used a modest letterhead. So why does Digital Satellite Warranty Cover Ltd. feel the need to make such a striking impression?
We’re all human, and allowed to make our own choices, but believe me, from what I can tell, and Im not a lawyer, professional or anything clever like that, if you use these Digital Satellite Warranty Cover people, you’re a fool.
Oh yeah, their FREEPOST address, which you can send things to is:
FREEPOST RRHK-EUUZ-EKHC Unit 5 Capitol Trading Park Kirkby Bank Road Knowsley Industrial Park LIVERPOOL L33 7SYI’m a member of the Mail Preference Service, I’ve informed them. To me, if you post something to me, it becomes my property to disclose at my will. Next time I receive a letter from these people I’m going to get more personal legal advice.
Update 12th July 2008:
I received another “IMPORTANT NOTICE, REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION” today. Apparently it’s my final reminder that I need to take them up on their exclusive offer. I still can’t see anything exclusive about it, and their prices are still more than Sky would charge. They’ve introduced a same day service, so long as I report a fault to them by 10:00am and wait in all day.
The Mail Preference Service has responded to say that they will take up the case.
This lot phoned me tonight about the warranty on my Sky box (which expired several years ago). As soon as I heard why they were phoning I gave my standard ’sorry, not interested’ reply that I give to cold-callers and hung up. A few seconds later, the phone rang again and it was the same girl to say ’so I suppose you’re not interested in your refund Mrs. Goldhorp’. Before I could say anything else, she hung up. 1471 didn’t give me a phone number I could phone and compalin but, from everyone else’s comments, I’m assuming that I would be wasting my time.
I to was conned by DWSC last year and had a lot problems with them they were very rude, they came to fix my sky+ anytime and put a new one in but it was sky+ without anytime. I ended up getting trading standards involved and got sorted out. As far as I know trading standards are taking them to court. Please be aware they are not connected to Sky in anyway, it took me 8 months to get sorted.
I have had cover with THESE PEOPLE since July 2009. I never noticed but have been paying for the cover twice a month since then @ £11.99 per month. I phoned their offices to explain and was told to write to them with copies of my bank statements. The overpayment amounted to £95.92. I wrote said letter sent it off and a few days later received a reply saying that they would refund £83.93 (can’t they add up)andhave cancelled one of the direct debits. I am currently still waiting for a refund and they have taken 2 lots in March. So by my calculations they owe me £107.91. Any body got any advice on what to do now?
I’ve had a warranty out with DSWC Ltd for about 2 years, scammed into believing they were a 3rd party company working on behalf of SKY. I’ve been fortunate that I’ve not needed to use the warranty. But in a way I wish I hadn’t been so fortunate. I’d have found out the scam a whole lot sooner.
Cant find there paperwork to contact them to cancel the warranty and, surprise surprise, no website to be found. The direct Debit has been canceled and I’ve got sky’s own cover (including cover for my telly which dswc did not offer) for around the same price. SKY’s 1st offer was higher(inc TV cover) but I said I did not want to pay more than I was with dswc, so got discount. Skys cover does not start for 30 days So hope my luck hold up.
Checked on Companies House web site and the registered address for dswc is:
IGITAL SATELLITE WARRANTY COVER LTD
2ND FLOOR, 145-157 ST.JOHN STREET
LONDON EC1V 4PY
Company No. 05986843
I stupidly took out a warrantee with DSWC Ltd but before it came up for renewal I cancelled it on the telephone because I had had to take medical retirement and could no longer afford Sky and was told that it wouldn’t be collected again. I also cancelled the direct debit with my bank.
I have today looked at my statement to see that DSWC have taken £109.99 from my account without my permission. I telephoned them on the number given on this site and they said that they sent me a renewal notice which stated that I had until the 10th February 2010 to cancel…. only trouble is that I NEVER RECEIVED THE RENEWAL LETTER. They said that there was a 7 day cooling off period that expired yesterday (funny that) and that I should email their refunds department which I have done. I now await their response.
My sky was installed by a contractor sent by Sky and not by an engineer employed direct by sky.
Even though I cancelled the last Direct Debit, because they have my bank details they were able to set up another one. I am living on sickness benefits and cannot afford to lose this money. Any advice would be greatfully received.
Had a call from this lot (Digital Satellite Warranty) same address, they informed me Sky DO NOT have a warranty scheme -Yes they Do and that registration with MPS/TPS is annual – no it isn’t.
I’ve reported the call to Trading Standards. They have also advised I contact the Information Commissioner – 0845 6306060 as I am registered with MPS/TPS, ex directory etc.
Dont deal with this lot, they tell lies