Used equipment sold as new

[Gordonms1978]

I signed up to Sky on Tuesday as a new user. 

Next day I received my all new equiptment .... nice and shiny NOT!

The box was opened with cellotape sealing it, inside was clearly a used sky stream box, it was manky and covered in scratches.

The remote had a batter seal in it, but was also clearly used condition. 

Is this normal for a new customer purchase?

[martswain · Accepted solution]

You haven't purchased anything apart from the subscription.

All Stream devices are loaned to you so there is no guarantee you will get brand new equipment.

[MarkGoldsmith]

Sky does have a process in place for refurbished/returned equipment to be thoroughly tested before it is allowed to be put back as available stock to be delivered to customers.

[Angel_Aka]

@Gordonms1978 

This is how Sky operate. You need to think about it as you purchasing a TV service rather than hardware. The only piece of Sky hardware you can actually purchase and own is a Glass TV. Stream pucks and Sky Q boxes are merely loaned devices used in order to receive the service you pay for. There's no guarantee of getting a new puck - you just need to hope it's one that actually functions. 

It's slightly cheeky of Sky to charge activation fees for these boxes but if you look at it like an extended warranty payment then it's a less bitter pill to swallow. If the device fails at any point during your contract then they will replace it.