Playstation taken by Sky Installers

Thanks for the feedback everyone, at least I have some more avenues to explore, as right now, Sky are refusing to pay. I did report it to the police before phoning Sky, as I knew I would be needing a crime reference number when I spoke to Sky’s ‘Customer Services’. The police actually came round a few days after and fingerprinted the TV!
Because the police didn’t catch the Installers red handed with my equipment they won’t take it any further. It is frustrating that after providing the police with all the necessary information, they are not going to investigate. Apparently the Installers van was searched, by his own company, a few days after the theft and surprise, surprise the playstation wasn’t in it! Now I know thieves aren’t the smartest of folk, but I do credit them with the notion to not leave stolen goods in their work van! I do understand that a theft in Islington isn’t a top priority for the police though..
Basically, i’ve been informed that it is now down to me to take Sky to court as it is my word against theirs. What pis*es me off is that they have gotten away with it, and I have already heard that my theft is not unique!! I’ve written to Jeremy Darroch, who it seems couldn’t care less.
Thanks all for the advice though, I will give them a go but I’m starting to feel like court is my only action and to be honest, I’m very tempted to go that way so that these f**kers don’t get away with it!

send sky a demand for the value of the playstation using the moneyclaim.gov.uk, the f**kers will soon pay out then!

I don't understand why you did not report this right away as theft.

You have a good description and not only this, you know their employer. If I catch anyone thieving from me I'll switch to 'Robocop' mode.

Did you go t the Police about it, it may be a bit late now I certainly understand your anger, but play stations do not come cheap, personally I would have went to the authorities as if they are in the habit of stealing from peoples properties, then god knows how many other customers they have ripped off.

I sympathise with your case of theft. Although I haven't had anything similar, I did have a replacement box installed by Sky, free of charge although they initially tried to charge me even though I had been a customer for many years. The guy who did the installation did not initially provide a new Sky remote control, and when I asked for the new control that came with the new box, I could see the irritation on his face and he said that he 'had left it in the van'. He did go and get it, but I am convinced that he was hoping that I wouldn't ask for it, so that he probably could sell it on.

The issue of the foreign call centres is probably the factor that will lead me to leave Sky. I've had to ring customer services a number of times fairly recently, and I am sick and tired of the difficulties in communication. Anyway, foreign call centres always 'feel cheap' to me, suggesting a mean-spirited, penny-pinching company that I don't really want much to do with.

Hi Barney

Really disscusted to read this really, there is nothing worse than a theif! It reminded me of when we had Sky "installed" they sent a contractor (did they have a Sky van like you see on the roads or a different van as they sometimes send contractors). Anyway the guy was on his own and refused to install the satalite as he needed a "height engineer" (although I offered to hold the ladder for him!!) Anyway it turned out he pulled the health and safety card and won the afternoon off.

I am glad now though because the prices have gone through the roof and their on foregin call centres etc, I now have a Digital TV recorder which picks up freeview and has the option of getting top up tv for £9.99 a month this is MUCH BETTER value than Sky, no messing about with intallations or subscriptions as its a pay as you go I.e can opt out whenever you like.

As for the £15 charge at the beginning, I would have rang sky up there and then as alarm bells would be ringing. Give Ofcom a go as per the other posters.

Best of luck

or there's
Further Information

Office of Communications (Ofcom)

Ofcom Contact Centre
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA

Telephone: 0845 456 3040/0207 981 3040
Fax: 0845 456 3334/0207 981 3334
Email: contact@ofcom.org.uk
Web site: www.ofcom.org.uk

This Code has been approved by Ofcom for the purposes of section 52 of the Communications Act 2003. The Guidelines for producing codes of practice are on Ofcom’s Web site at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/ioi/g_a_regime/gce/ccodes/ccodes.pdf

Barney,
This is a simple case of theft, and theft is a criminal matter, and therefore you need to report it to the police, however they might not be as insterested now as so much time has passed, however you should still report it, get a crime reference number and then claim on your household insurance.
Theft Act 1968:
The basic definition of theft is defined in S.1(1) of the Act.
The Act states that:
A person shall be guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theft_Act_1968 - Full link

There is also a higher body than Sky, the details will be in your Terms and Conditions, or you could complain to the top:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=104016&p=irol-contact

Good luck,