Loading ...It is believed that a lorry full of Humax PVR’s were stolen in the early hours of Monday morning.
The robbery took place between 1am - 2am on Monday morning (1st December 2008) in a notorious lorry theft hot-spot in a lay-by close to the Hilton Hotel on the A45 at Collingtree.
The Polish lorry driver was said to have been woken by possibly three men who smashed their way into the cabin, tied up the driver and then drove the lorry towards Roade on the A508 where they unloaded the PVR’s into another vehicle.
This will naturally have an impact on the distribution and availability of what is a very sought after product.
Given the lack of availability, if anyone notices large volumes of this product being sold, whether that be on ebay, or by other means, please get in touch with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Update (03-Dec-08)
Official response from Humax we had been waiting on:
Humax has confirmed that a shipment of FOXSAT-HDR Freesat+ boxes was stolen at the weekend, upon their arrival in the UK on 30th November. The matter is already under investigation by the police, who are looking to track the stolen goods via individual serial numbers which have been recorded by Humax.
Humax is urging any retailers who are offered quantities of the FOXSAT-HDR from unknown sources or under suspicious circumstances to notify Humax head office immediately, by calling 020 8326 6000. The theft will temporarily impact the supply of FOXSAT-HDR boxes to retailers across the UK, however additional shipments are due later this week.
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I bet there be on EBAY or in a bootsale somewhere very soon.
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I’ve found 3 on ebay but all look legit
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-BNIB-UNOPENED-HUMAX-FOXSAT-HDR-320_W0QQitemZ300277672564QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioTVElectronics_Video_DVDPlayers_Recorders?hash=item300277672564&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUMAX-FOXSAT-HDR-VERY-RARE_W0QQitemZ110319943818QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioElectronicsVideo_Video_TelevisionSetTopBoxes?hash=item110319943818&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Humax-Foxsat-HDR-320GB-BNIB_W0QQitemZ320322165581QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioElectronicsVideo_Video_TelevisionSetTopBoxes?hash=item320322165581&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
It would be just my luck if mine were on that truck - isn’t there a JL warehouse in Northampton.
Do we know if this was a container on its way from port to warehouse, or a distribution lorry going from a warehouse - the numbers could be very different
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Sorry, didn’t finish that last post properly.
Thankfully, it would seem that the driver was not hurt. Yes, we all want our boxes, but that is much more important.
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:27 pm
This is all very convenient for Humax.
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:02 pm
why would it be convenient for Humax, presumably they have lost a lot of income unless they were insured. Its bad news for everyone, especially those trying to get one before the hols…
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Satellite tracking is another feature that they should have included :o)
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 pm
We were in JL Solihull yesterday and they actually said there was a large consignment on it’s way from Poland due into their Milton Keynes warehouse on the 1st December. They showed us the product on the main database and the computer seemed to showed about 2500 due in yesterday with further deliveries later this week.
Sounds like someone else knew they were on their way!
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I hear it was an Argos lorry, and some suspicious characters were seen loitering around the area in Comet shirts
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:00 am
Picked mine up from JL last night, so it doesn’t look like it was one of theirs.
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:43 am
I ordered and paid for a box at Comet Camborne Cornwall on 26th November, Comet informed me stock was on its way to them and I should have received it today 3rd December. I checked with the Comet store yesterday and was told they have no date for delivery and no stock. Also they have increased the price by about £50.00.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:48 am
Simon, re.post 10, can you let us know which branch of JL did you find one? thanks
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
i have heard this batch was for north of england leeds area because the guy who was going to install mine it told its was for small retailers like him
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I’ll check out my local, maybe I can pick up one cheap
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I’ve just read the story on the missing Humax Foxsat pvr “what a coincidence”. Why now?. Any way I received my Freesat HD PVR, delivered by Argos 1 December. I must say, to what i’ve seen of the performance of this machine, so far I can say that it is a truely awesome piece of kit, with real flexability.
With a FTA scanning facility as well as Freesat plus a CI slot, possibly for future pay tv not forgetting (not yet enabeled ethernet connectivity) I say again AWESOME!!.
December 4th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Two of those stolen were ment for me. Eurosat Midlands were waiting for a delivery from Humax.
And it’s rubbish to say that Humax is gaining anything out of this. Yes they may be insured but the loss of income and the fact that others may now wait until another make comes along won’t help.
No one but the thieves gain out of this.
Just keep your eyes open for any boxes going cheap and phone Crimestoppers.
I’ve found one going for almost half price on ebay, item no 270312279902. Is it stolen??
December 4th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Given the lack of stock in stores and the vast demand for these items I wonder what in the name of god they were doing laid up in a frozen lay-by over night?
Is Freesat run by a bunch of media ‘luvvies’ that have no concept of the damage being done to their reputation by their appalling handling of this ’supply problem’.
My Sky+ subscription runs out on 21st December. If I can’t walk into a shop on that day and buy one of these boxes then my MP will be getting a telephone call to discuss a cut in the funding that Freesat receive via the licence fee.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:39 am
@Ken,
Cancel with Comet and order with Argos Direct. I got my box within 2 working days (Ordered last Thursday) (3 actually because I was out at 1st delivery attempt but not their fault!).
I wouldn’t allow a retailer to rip me off with a £50 increase and especially so when others have stock and can deliver in days.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:46 am
@The Duke Of Hunslet
It’s worth noting that issues like this have nothing to do with Freesat, it’s purely a Humax problem. Although I also wonder why you’d park thousands of pounds of kit in a lay-by!
Not clever Humax…
December 4th, 2008 at 11:48 am
You think you’re being ripped off by Comet? There are a few on ebay now. 1st box just sold for £392 + £20 P+P !!!
December 4th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Chris T: I also wonder why you’d park thousands of pounds of kit in a lay-by!
Because they were being transported from the factory in Poland to UK distribution centre - and lorry drivers are driving hours limited. I suspect the lorry stopped for a break or overnight stop so the driver could rest/comply with driving hours regulations.
December 4th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Chris T: …yes maybe they could have arranged a more secure stopover location! Lorry thefts are common these days. I’m surprissed security isn’t increased at lorry parks, even if it costs money to keep guards there or arrange secure access to compound.
December 4th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
None of this is anything new - supply problems with newly-launched products (games consoles, cameras, Tracy Islands…) or thefts from parked HGVs. Millions of pounds worth of stuff comes in this way and the thieves know it - as do the police. All credit to this driver for complying with the hours regulations though, as apparently a lot of them from outside the UK do not.
As for the culprits, I would be more likely to suspect Sky employees rather than Comet, as they have most to lose - maybe there is now a pile of Humax PVRs in the Grand Union Canal!
December 4th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Brian: Obviously, fair play to the driver for actual resting rather than falling asleep at the wheel and causing a pile up on the motorway.
I’m just amazed that more precautions aren’t taken especially when (as Mark says) new, high demand products are a more obvious target for thieves.
December 4th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Grubby’s sounds like the one my mates just got off e-bay, its not a rip off, you don’t have to buy them, I’ve still had no luck with Comet, although they offered a full refund I seem to be stuck between a rock and a hard place, Argos is all sold out whenever I go to the web site and I don’t get e-mails from them regarding stock
December 4th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
History repeating itself. A couple of years ago a lorry load of top of the range new to the market Avtex televisions destined for the caravan/motorhome market was stolen in transit.
You would think that insurers who pick up the tab after thefts like this would insist that cover only applies if hauliers ensure their drivers only use secure lorry parks.
December 5th, 2008 at 10:05 am
@ Dave G,
Forget the Argos web site. It says one thing and customer services often say another.
It was out of stock on the web when I got mine 10 seconds later from Argos Direct after phoning to complain about getting emails of stock that wasn’t there.
Stock can be in at Argos Direct but be sold before they ever get a chance to update the web site / send the email.
Call Argos Direct and keep calling back and you’ll hit some, guaranteed.
Argos Direct Number: 0845 640 2020
December 5th, 2008 at 10:07 am
@ Ian, the one you saw at 1/2 price I would have thought is almost certainly stolen when everyone else is selling at a Premium.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:25 am
@ Ian and Al: That item (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270312279902) seems to be a combined auction/Buy It Now item, rather than just a Buy It Now item, so the starting bid was £10 but it currently stands at £300, with 3 days and 8 hours left to go.
No idea whether it’s stolen or not, but there is no indication that it is as far as I can see. Someone may just have got hold of one through Argos, Comet, etc, seen that there are supply problems and so decided to flog it on eBay for a possible profit.
December 5th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
@A1(Original) cheers mate, just ordered mine, due in Mon, again, fingers crosse i’ve ordered the right one!!
December 5th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
@ AndrewM I never looked just took Ian at his word. Obviously if its an auction rather than Buy It Now (which I presumed from what he’d said) then its going to start low. My apologies to the seller on that one even though I only said I thought it.
@ Dave G, NP. Glad you got one. Have a great Christmas with it.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
any chance of getting the seril numbers i dont want to buy a stolen one
no guarantee
December 6th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
“S**t man, how can I live another day without my Humax HD PVR when the Jones’s next door have already got theirs. The shame of it” Look, just shut up the lot of you. Have you any idea what you all sound like. Kids in a sweet shop. There are kids dying of starvation in Africa. Get a life and stop being so materialistic.
December 7th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Ordered mine in advance from JL Bluewater as my local JL would not take an advance order and it was delivered through my local branch last week. Bluewater had new stock in at their main warehouse and told me they were in the process of completing advanced orders. Try this number 01322 624123. Very good company to deal with and I am delighted with the product. The FoxsatHD STB is now in the kitchen and working well. Just remember the Foxsat+ HD PVR needs two direct feeds from the dish.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
[...] Humax PVRs Stolen [...]
December 8th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Just wanted to clarify my post at 31. above. When I said I took Ian at his word, I was using a common phrase that meant I didn’t check it out myself. I am in no way accusing Ian of deliberately misleading. I’m sure it was a genuine mistake on his behalf in not realising it was an auction rather than a Buy it Now when noting the cheap price. Its good to see people looking out for these boxes.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
On Ebay today and I see the seller is located in Leeds where approximately half the load stolen was recovered. For those previously complaining about the price set by Humax this seller is getting up to £350.o a box plus £17.00 carriage and I bet the serial numbers match those recorded by Humax !!!
December 17th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
P.S. At the risk of being labelled a rascist I also bet there’s a Far East Connection here,