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

monstermind

icebergx wrote:

Hi Guys,

I cancelled my Sky TV at the end of the footy season and now want to get reconnected.
I can sign up as a returning subscriber again (not sure what deal I will be offered) but I also have to option of becoming a new subscriber (the old subscription was in my Dads name).

I'd like to upgrade to Sky+ but the B*stards at Sky have added a £60 instalation fee and increased the cost of the box to £99. What's the best deal I can get?

Thanks for any help.

You have 2 options here, with your dad's account or your own:

a) your dad's account:
Re-activate your viewing on whichever package you like. Call up 24 hours later to cancel. Once you're thru to cancellations, say you're cancelling because the box is broken, you've been quoted £65 for a service call or £159 for a Sky+ box. They will offer you the Sky+ box for the price of a service call (£65) and free installation.

b) your own (new) account.
You will pay £159 up front for Sky+ and installation, BUT you'll get 6 months free sports. If you're only wanting sports you can make do with the 2 mix package (£15 per month + free sports for 6 months.) This will save you £19 a month for the each of the first six months of the contract (£114) so is actually slightly better value.

Order online and you'll get a further £10 off your first bill, plus £50 cashback if you go through the Quidco link, making £159 outlay with £174 back in discounts/offers/cashback.

Hope this helps!

icebergx

How about, I call to restart my dads subscription on the condition I can get the 5 months 1/2 price. I assume they will agree to this as they are offering similar deals to current and new customers. After a month (I don't want to seem too obvious, I call telling them I have a problem with my box etc.

Do you think this will work? Can I get the free Sky Sports (or is that 5 months 1/2 price) deal as a returning customer?

repatilefan

Anyone know of a company called Satellite Customer Services which seems to be based in Sussex? I had a call from them a couple of weeks ago saying my Sky warranty had expired and did I want to renew. Thinking nothing about it I renewed but then had second thoughts and contacted Sky direct.

Sky said it has nothing to do with this company. I have since received a letter from Satellite C.S saying money will be collected by Metacharge . Is this bona fide or not?

deanos

repatilefan wrote:

Anyone know of a company called Satellite Customer Services which seems to be based in Sussex? I had a call from them a couple of weeks ago saying my Sky warranty had expired and did I want to renew. Thinking nothing about it I renewed but then had second thoughts and contacted Sky direct.

Sky said it has nothing to do with this company. I have since received a letter from Satellite C.S saying money will be collected by Metacharge . Is this bona fide or not?

I think it is OK but it isnt worth getting a extended warranty as a call out is £65 and that will fix any fault and equipment will have 6 month warranty, but if you threaten to cancel they reduce it to £30 then for free if you dont accept that.

monstermind

repatilefan wrote:

Anyone know of a company called Satellite Customer Services which seems to be based in Sussex? I had a call from them a couple of weeks ago saying my Sky warranty had expired and did I want to renew. Thinking nothing about it I renewed but then had second thoughts and contacted Sky direct.

Sky said it has nothing to do with this company. I have since received a letter from Satellite C.S saying money will be collected by Metacharge . Is this bona fide or not?

It depends on what you mean by "bona fide". There are several companies out there selling "extended warranties" and "cover plans" for Sky equipment. The level of service they offer if you do need to make a claim can be shoddy or non-existent. They are not endorsed by Sky, who sell the Sky Repair Protection Plan (SRPP) operated by Domestic & General.

These companies are a bit of a thorn in Sky's side, as they imply, or blatantly state, that they're operating on behalf of, or are endorsed by Sky. I will try to find the email address for the Sky dept gathering info on these firms with a view to possible legal action.

In the meantime, check your rights to cancel the policy. You'll be covered by distance selling regulations, and possibly other legislation as I think it might be a form of general insurance, maybe someone else can advise on this?

As a general rule of thumb, ALL these policies, including Sky's own, should be avoided. Your equipment is covered for 12 months, after which you have a right to cancel your subscription, something to ber in mind if Sky try to charge for a service call. Check previous posts re. getting a free service call if you do have problems with your equipment.

monstermind

icebergx wrote:

How about, I call to restart my dads subscription on the condition I can get the 5 months 1/2 price. I assume they will agree to this as they are offering similar deals to current and new customers. After a month (I don't want to seem too obvious, I call telling them I have a problem with my box etc.

Do you think this will work? Can I get the free Sky Sports (or is that 5 months 1/2 price) deal as a returning customer?

You will almost always get a deal when re-joining, ask to be put through to "re-instates" when you call customer service. These deals vary from the cancellation deals and new customer deals, so I'm not sure what the best deal they're offering is at the moment. Mentioning the "free sports for 6 months" new customer offer is probably a good position from which to start negotiating!

There should be no real need to wait longer than a day or two after re-instating, to call to cancel and get the Sky+ box deal for £65.

smc999

Result!
Rang them using the 0800 trick and mentioned NTL and wanting to leave.
Got passed on to "cancelations" and they offered me free home move, new dish and Sky+ for £49 straight off.
And they will fit it next Saturday after first claiming they had no one available at such short notice.

Thanks again for the info Monstermind, it was invaluable.

monstermind

For a limited time, (until 11 August, or while stocks last), Sky cancellations are offering free Sky+ boxes to customers who call to cancel.

The boxes are Grade A stock, but come with the usual 12 month on-site warranty. There is no need to take multiroom (keeping your existing box running @ £10 per month) to get this offer. As with all Sky+ installs, you are tied to keeping Sky+ for 12 months, and there is a £10 per month charge if you do not subscribe to sky sports or movies.

You can call cancellations directly (bypassing customer services) on 08708 502801, this number costs 8p per minute daytimes, but only 2p per minute after 7pm and all weekend. However, see previous posts re. the freephone number for customer services.

icebergx

I got a letter offering me 3 months half price to return. The code they mention on the letter can also be entered on the website so In think I'll do this and go via quidco to get their £50 cashback.
Next day I'll call to cancel and ask for Sky+. I'll let you know how I go.

oneday_3

monstermind wrote:

For a limited time, (until 11 August, or while stocks last), Sky cancellations are offering free Sky+ boxes to customers who call to cancel.

The boxes are Grade A stock, but come with the usual 12 month on-site warranty. There is no need to take multiroom (keeping your existing box running @ £10 per month) to get this offer. As with all Sky+ installs, you are tied to keeping Sky+ for 12 months, and there is a £10 per month charge if you do not subscribe to sky sports or movies.

You can call cancellations directly (bypassing customer services) on 08708 502801, this number costs 8p per minute daytimes, but only 2p per minute after 7pm and all weekend. However, see previous posts re. the freephone number for customer services.

Hi,

Called them this morning to cancel and they offered me it for £49. a good offer i know but that £49 needs to be thrown at my debt just now so i am going to call them back and cancel anyway

BOOHOO

Lynne