Digital TV Cost Cutting Article - Discuss What You've Been Offered

p1an0player

I write this partly to warn others that this might happen and partly to request advice on what to do next.

My Sky subscription started 8 Oct 2005, minimum contract 12 months.

I wanted my subscription to end at the end of the minimum term, so I phoned up to cancel on 2 Sep 2006 (I read somewhere that 30 days notice is required but you can cancel up to 40 days before the end of the term), and went through with the cancellation. I then received a letter confirming my subscription would end on 2 Oct 2006.

True, this is 6 days under 12 months from the start date but I assumed Sky didn't mind about that, in any case it was up to them to apply the right end date on my account.

Then today I have received a letter from the "Head of Operational Finance", entitled "Not the best of news" (!) telling me that I had agreed to subscribe for 12 months but had not done so, therefore I must act now to reinstate my subscription for the remainder of the term otherwise I would incur a £60 installation charge.

At the end of the letter, it says, somewhat threateningly; "to avoid incurring all sorts of charges, doesn't it make sense to restore your viewing now?".

What particularly bothers me is that this letter is presented quite professionally, as if it is a standard letter, rather than a one-off to me. Is this a deliberate ploy? Allow people to cancel slightly earlier than 12 months and then threaten them with charges if they don't reinstate?

By the way, I don't want to reinstate regardless of any offers, and I suspect that if I did it would be a minimum 30 days rather than 6 days. What should I do? I haven't got the inclination to waste an hour on an 0870 number arguing about this.

JAJ_2

There is a cheaper tel no listedin a previous thread as 01506 831780.

Hope that helps.

Tootsie_Roll

monstermind wrote:

Sky+ £79 (1/2 price box £49, 1/2 price install £30)

WHOO-HOO !

Just called them to take advantage of this offer - she couldn't get this one on her screen but did give me the box for £99, free installation and half price subscription for three months.

Extremely happy.

Thanks Monstermind

monstermind

p1an0player wrote:

I write this partly to warn others that this might happen and partly to request advice on what to do next.

My Sky subscription started 8 Oct 2005, minimum contract 12 months.

I wanted my subscription to end at the end of the minimum term, so I phoned up to cancel on 2 Sep 2006 (I read somewhere that 30 days notice is required but you can cancel up to 40 days before the end of the term), and went through with the cancellation. I then received a letter confirming my subscription would end on 2 Oct 2006.

True, this is 6 days under 12 months from the start date but I assumed Sky didn't mind about that, in any case it was up to them to apply the right end date on my account.

Then today I have received a letter from the "Head of Operational Finance", entitled "Not the best of news" (!) telling me that I had agreed to subscribe for 12 months but had not done so, therefore I must act now to reinstate my subscription for the remainder of the term otherwise I would incur a £60 installation charge.

At the end of the letter, it says, somewhat threateningly; "to avoid incurring all sorts of charges, doesn't it make sense to restore your viewing now?".

What particularly bothers me is that this letter is presented quite professionally, as if it is a standard letter, rather than a one-off to me. Is this a deliberate ploy? Allow people to cancel slightly earlier than 12 months and then threaten them with charges if they don't reinstate?

By the way, I don't want to reinstate regardless of any offers, and I suspect that if I did it would be a minimum 30 days rather than 6 days. What should I do? I haven't got the inclination to waste an hour on an 0870 number arguing about this.

p1anoplayer, the op who processed yor cancellation has screwed up. He/she should have set the cancellation date to 8 October, rather than 2 October. Very slovenly, as a warning would have flashed on their screen advising that this "clawback" charge may apply, but they've chosen to ignore it. My advice would be to make sure your direct debit / credit card authority is cancelled, and email Sky explaining the situation.

p1an0player

monstermind wrote:

p1anoplayer, the op who processed yor cancellation has screwed up. He/she should have set the cancellation date to 8 October, rather than 2 October. Very slovenly, as a warning would have flashed on their screen advising that this "clawback" charge may apply, but they've chosen to ignore it. My advice would be to make sure your direct debit / credit card authority is cancelled, and email Sky explaining the situation.

Many thanks monstermind.

Yesterday I phoned Sky on the special reinstate number given on the letter. Spoke to a chap in India who didn't really understand. He said I'd have to pay the £60 or reinstate for a further 12 months, and wouldn't transfer me to a manager.

So I have emailed Sky as you suggest hoping for some common sense.

I will consider cancelling my direct debit.. I hesitate though in case that triggers more automated nasty letters from Sky, and then a letter from a debt collection agency, then a problem with my credit rating.. Might be better if I let them take what they want and get a refund later.

Most people would not ask about such things on an Internet forum. It is sad that many people, having received the threatening letter I did, would have been scared into reinstating their subscription.

woodstoke

Hi all, just a question i would like to ask to everyone, my father has had sky digital the full package with HD for some years now, he has suggested that he has made the suggestion that i pay him £10 a month and he will tell sky that he wants it in another room and he will give the receiver and card to me.....would this work as long as i don't plug the telephone cable in ever, as we live in a different town with different telephone number......just wondering as my kids would love the sky movies now winter is on its way.....julie

p1an0player

woodstoke wrote:

Hi all, just a question i would like to ask to everyone, my father has had sky digital the full package with HD for some years now, he has suggested that he has made the suggestion that i pay him £10 a month and he will tell sky that he wants it in another room and he will give the receiver and card to me.....would this work as long as i don't plug the telephone cable in ever, as we live in a different town with different telephone number......just wondering as my kids would love the sky movies now winter is on its way.....julie

No I don't think this would work. I think people have often tried to do this and a result Sky are very strict about both boxes being connected to the same telephone line (which they can and do check). Sorry.

But you can get your own Sky with the basic package of £15 per month including kids channels. Probably get the first 3 months half price and free installation as well.

freegenie

Thanks to you all I have managed to get us (as an existing customer) a good deal with Telewest, and a saving of £22.51 compared to the old bill.
Talk eve and w-end + 4Mb Broadband + Supreme TV all for £34.99.
One thing though, did anyone downgrade their Broadband from 4Mb to 2Mb and noticed any difference? I'd like to downgrade as I could possibly save another £7 on the bill but do not want to get stuck with the slow connection.
Thanks again!


Just wondering - how did the person who posted this managed to do this???

I have been with Telewest for about 2 months and we are starting to think its not worth it. We get 2 meg Broadband, Essential Package, and Free Weekends only, for the same price! £35.00.

We'd love to get the Supreme telly, and free weekends too, AND the 4meg connection.

How long had you been with them before you did this? AND how did you do it!?! What did you say?

It just seems too good to be true!

Thanks -
Emma

leonardo

Hello monstermind,

First Off
A Big Thank You From myself - for providing information that we previously couldn't access however hard we tried!

Secondly
Is there a chance you could post the latest offers like you have done in previous posts? So we can have an benchmarch to compare our current offers to?

Once again - regardless - Thanks monstermind!

folkestonelisa

Whoooo hooooo:j

Thanks to all on this site i took the plunge and ive got sky full package half price for 3 months. And its starting today so my next bill is only £13.50 and i have £20 worth of sky card points and hubby has over £40 so i wont be paying a sky bill for a couple of months.

I love you all:T