Sky order cancelled after install, 6 months later they want box back

dekaspace

Now before anyone thinks I expect something for free, I ordered Sky last November and on install day 2 guys just plugged in box to the connectors already there and that was that, I phoned up Sky same day to ask about the card and was told order was cancelled, I mentioned that the guys had come round and left a new box and was basically told they cant take it back since its at my address, but did offer to refund the install costs.

I left it in storage unused for 6 months, no letters or phone calls until a week ago had a few random 0843 numbers ring me at 8am in morning and either it woke me up or if I answered I heard nothing on other end.

Went away for 2 weeks holiday to see a hand written note through door from the install company saying I got a box in November that I was not entitled to and I must contact them to return it or they will get the police to arrest me!

Now I had and still have no problem with the actual return but in my mind they made no effort till now and threaten me with the police yet have not given me my promised refund of install costs, an d I have had to store it for almost 6 months.

What rights do I have on this?

neilmcl

Contact Sky. IMO, the box belongs to them not the install company. I think the police stuff is simply an empty threat, they will not want to know.

Valli

Counter claim for storage - you've looked after it for 6 months!

halibut2209

Valli wrote: »

Counter claim for storage - you've looked after it for 6 months!

Nonsense. You can't backdate a "contract".

Simply invite them to collect it at a time that's convenient for you both. No sense in being difficult. As said, ignore the "threat". There's really no issue here. The box isn't yours, and fortunately for you, you still have it. If you had disposed of it, then they could sue you!

EDIT: The refund of the installation costs is a separate issue. Deal with one thing at a time

Valli

In all honesty mine was a 'tongue in cheek' response (hence the !) however leaving it with the OP for 6 months then getting 'heavy' (ie threatening him with arrest) seems to be an over-the-top reaction by the installers, especially given OP was told by Sky that they 'couldn't take it back'.

IMO they should have written and asked for a mutually-convenient appointment to collect it. Politely.

halibut2209

Agreed. It's a heavy-handed and an inappropriate response, but one that doesn't seem to come from Sky themselves. I would treat it the same as a debt collector. Sky are owed the goods back, so just return them. Life's too short to get worried over a silly meaningless note

arcon5

Police to arrest you?

LOL

the police don't like investigating real crimes so certainly won't put their cup of tea down for something like this.

I'd make the guy sincerely and unreservedly apologise if he comes back and if he doesn't tell him he can make an appointment with you there and then to come and collect it at a convenient time.
Can't say I'd be very forthcoming after !!!! like that

OlliesDad

I believe that when the work is sub contracted to an installer (rather than sky fitters themselves) the stock belongs to the installer and they claim back the cost from Sky. From the OP I would guess that Sky have now rejected the invoice from the installers and so the installers want the equipment back.

RightRevBod

After 6 months I would have treated it as an unsolicited gift and disposed of it in any way I saw fit.

I know that the comment about storage charges was made tongue in cheek, but in your place I would be seriously asking them for a contribution. £5/month sounds reasonable to me.

arcon5

OlliesDad wrote: »

I believe that when the work is sub contracted to an installer (rather than sky fitters themselves) the stock belongs to the installer and they claim back the cost from Sky. From the OP I would guess that Sky have now rejected the invoice from the installers and so the installers want the equipment back.

Doesn't change anything as far as ops concerned. Ops contract was with sky so any contractors of theirs don't affect that

vuvuzela

RightRevBod wrote: »

After 6 months I would have treated it as an unsolicited gift and disposed of it in any way I saw fit.

Then you'd legally have been liable for what happened to it. How can it be unsolicited when the OP ordered it ?