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

Lady_K

Sky told me on Tuesday when I called them to renew my half price deal that virgin hadnt renewed thier contract with them at sky so virgin users would prob be losing sky one and things. He wouldnt give any offers at all and just tried to get me to have bt phone and free sky broadband so I just cancelled

paul_wfc

I called today after keeping an eye on these boards to see when they were going to start offering stuff again ! I started with the aim of getting a new sky+ box (80GB).

I called the 0800 number (0800 051 2595) and pressed all the various buttons to get through to the cancellations/turnaound dept.

Explained that I wanted to leave sky, when asked why, I said I'd been offered a similar priced deal WITH a V+ box from Vigin Media.

The chap immediatly said "If I can offer you something to stay, would you be interested". I asked him to explain further. He instantly offered me free sky+ and free installation. I asked what kind of sky+ box ? 40GB/80GB....etc After playing dumb for a while, he said it was a new 40GB box.

I said the V+ was 80GB and I didnt think anything smaller would meet my needs. He then offered me a new sky+ v3 80GB box for £49 with free installation. I already have movies and sports, so the £10 change for sky+ is not applicable.

While I have not got a free box as I'd hoped, I'm happy with a brand new v3 box for £49. Now the only challenge is to get some recording space after my wife has added all her series links !

Paul

John_3:16

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6389015.stm


Gloves off what will happen next?

Peartree

Just had the most unsatisfactory conversation with Sky. Been with Sky for 6 years and have just got around to calling re wanting Sky+ and broadband. Armed with all the facts I contacted them and after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing got offered the free refurb box or the £49 decent one, etc, etc, but it was hard work.

When I said I was thinking of going to Virgin I was told that I probably wouldn't get the Sky channels - I said I couldn't care less as the very few things worth watching on Sky One are spoiled by 20 odd minutes of ads every hour. I was then told that V+ boxes are inferior and that it had been reported that 'if you pick them up in the wrong way they turn off' (have had my Sky box for 6 years and doubt that the number of times I have picked it up - in the right or wrong way - hits double figures!).

However, I'd have signed up if it were not for one thing. The operator completely denied any knowledge of any changes to Sky+ monthly charges. and was insistent that I would have to sign up for a new one year contract if I took Sky+ (despite having been a loyal customer for 6 years). I said I would only be prepared to do that if she could guarantee that there would be no change in the charging policy during the course of that contract so that I wouldn't be stuck with a £10 per month charge or a movie/sport package I don't really want for a year, even if the charge was subsequently dropped. Naturally, she said she could not guarantee that.

What really, really hacked me off was the incredibly arrogant attitude of Sky (as expressed by the operator) it is the most appalling way to do business. Sky really do not care about looking after their existing customers. I started the call, basically, just trying it on a bit, never intending to move to Virgin. I'm now very, very seriously considering it. I almost don't care if I don't get a better deal with them, I just don't like doing business with a company (Sky) which treats its customers with such disrespect.

I can feel a letter to Sky's MD coming on!

Peartree

shymanuk

hi i have from virgin....... talk unlimited 24/ 2 meg b/b and digital tv, consisting of medium pk plus all sky sports plus sky movies for the total of £20.24 per month .. was offered offer tv box but decided didnt need it yet , but told can stay on this offer as long as i like.......

haziec

What really, really hacked me off was the incredibly arrogant attitude of Sky (as expressed by the operator) it is the most appalling way to do business. Sky really do not care about looking after their existing customers

PEARTREE: I totally agree with you! After many years with Sky, we got a Sky+ box a year ago and had the old one put in our daughters loft room. The Sky+ is OK downstairs but is not working in her room. Phoned them, went through LONG rigmarole testing it. Was told I had to pay £65. Left it for a month deliberating cause its a lot of money to pay for what?? They never installed it OK in the first place, draping a lead over our roof from her room to the dish. Anyway, yesterday I phoned and gave in about the £65 call out, paid it by debit card, then got a call later to say it would be APRIL 3rd!!
REALLY REALLY rude people there, didnt care whether they came round or not. And patronising too, the first man told me to "discuss it with my husband/partner!!" Anyway we are going to get freeview for our daughter and Im going to phone and threaten cancellation, knowing me I'll come away with nothing and no Sat TV!! Sky should start looking after their current customers pronto or they will be ex customers!

zztopgirl

I got my first begging letter yesterday since i cancelled last month:T offering me bb/phone package (doh! i live outside the uk, sky ought to check where people live before sending out these offers) and telling me what great programmes im missing on sky one and i will be welcomed back.

No doubt the first of many.:mad:

allan2006

i got 1st letter from sky yesterday, still no offers just a.....do you know what your mising this month thing.

Am seriously considering virgin media though now,

cdr

I have been an NTL/VIrgin customer for a few years, and have been paying £65 a month for around a year now for TV, broaband and phone. I rang their retentions department this morning threatening to leave cos sky+ was cheaper and I ended up getting their new V+ package with all the channels, broaband and a better phone package than what i've already got for £53 a month. They are practically paying people to take it :rotfl:

wilf55

hi is the v+ the same or similar to sky +

thanks guys