Sky, Virgin & BT TV Haggle down prices and get serious discounts Article Discussion

m3kx

I was going to make a topic on its own for a haggle tip but maybe better to post it here, it's a bit on the long side.

I have a Sky HD+ box which has worked with my current tv for the past two years with no problems, that was until the latest update (it adds the On Demand service) and I now have a HD connection problem where by the HD signal drops every now and then for a few seconds and comes back on as normal. At first I tried to solve it myself, thinking intially it was the HD cable (I was unaware it had updated) but nothing worked so I contacted sky via twitter. The first time there was no resolve second time they offered a free engineer visit, when the engineer was here he confirmed that it is the update at fault and replaced the box with one that had the previous software. The box has since updated (which I knew it would eventually), so I reported it and had an engineer call me who again confirmed that the software is at fault and there is nothing Sky can do. So in short Sky have no fix for their own software fault leaving me with an interrupted tv service, everytime I speak about it on twitter I get another Sky agent running me through the same processes which don't work (not complaining its great that they offer help!), last time I said I wanted my HD package at a reduced price or for free but they ignored.

Sky know of the fault but it seems their call centre and twitter folks never got the memo, I want to call but don't want to have to explain this story again and again, then have them suggest an engineer visit (or be told to replace my telly which has been said). There are no other services (BT, Virgin) available here so don't want to pull the cancel card. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to haggle myself a deal?

KTF

When you say it drops do you get a black screen or does the screen freeze and go blocky before recovering?

Whats the software version on your box?

Whats the signal strength showing?

Have the SKY engineers checked the dish alignment?

Have you tried doing a manual update - remove power, press and hold the Backup button, put power cable back in and remain holding the backup button until the software update screen appears?

m3kx

KTF wrote: »

When you say it drops do you get a black screen or does the screen freeze and go blocky before recovering?

Whats the software version on your box?

Whats the signal strength showing?

Have the SKY engineers checked the dish alignment?

Have you tried doing a manual update - remove power, press and hold the Backup button, put power cable back in and remain holding the backup button until the software update screen appears?

It goes black, no screen freeze or blocks.

Model #: R005.053.70.05P
Version #: 4f31a2

Signal is strong.

Engineer didn't seem to check dish alignment (how would he check? if it is physically checking the dish then no, he didn't). He said that sky sent out an email to all engineers stating this issue is to be resolved by box replacement.

I tried manual update, no luck.

Also I tested it via scart for two days and there was no drop out.

I just need the older software back, before the on demand update.

lvm

Strange....called SKY to cancel TV services (I pay the £20 ish plus £10.25 for HD - got an offer 11 months ago which made it worthwhile). Contract not up til 8th Nov (when HD upgraded).

Was told 1 month notice to cancel but offered £5 a month for 3 months (no contract) and HD cancelled immediately. So it's cheaper to take them up on 3 month deal than to cancel. Might try cancelling tomorrow and see if the months notice will be based on £5 pm (fingers crossed).

Been looking at smart TVs which is why I was cancelling SKY in the first place...can't seem to find any amazing bargains yet though :-(

VanessaBee

hello
have used this (and other) forums before for advice and help with discounts. at the start of this year i called sky and we had a 9 month free broadband and line rental after switching from BT. this ended 2 days ago, so after reading the last few pages i called them up to see what they could offer me.

i was offered 25% off tv only or reduce line rental to £3 month for next 12 months. tv wise we have everything: entertainment extra (with indefinite £5 discount/mth), sports, movies and hd which we subscribed to when there was the £100 M&S vouchers, so we are out of contract for the tv completely. the line rental is only 9 months or so in for 12mth contract, b/b out of contract.

i had read that some people were offered 25% off 6mths/20% off 12mths. was this for everything or just the tv package? thought i would go with the line rental as i have to have broadband and line rental combined makes it the cheapest available in my area (as stand alone product, not combined with e.g. virgin tv package). i thought i might be able to call back and try to renegotiate the sky tv at a later date. has anyone any advice or experience of this. we have considered cancelling the tv and hope for cancellation offer, as could use free view channels. sky tv is our luxury item though and i would prefer not to.

KTF

m3kx wrote: »

It goes black, no screen freeze or blocks.

Model #: R005.053.70.05P
Version #: 4f31a2

Signal is strong.

Engineer didn't seem to check dish alignment (how would he check? if it is physically checking the dish then no, he didn't). He said that sky sent out an email to all engineers stating this issue is to be resolved by box replacement.

I tried manual update, no luck.

Also I tested it via scart for two days and there was no drop out.

I just need the older software back, before the on demand update.

The software is sent out for a specific type of box rather than on a per-user basis so they would have to downgrade them all (which they wont do I suspect).

The update is sent out at regular intervals which is why your box will auto update after a period of time even though it has been supplied with a lower version.

Have you tried doing a planner rebuild:

1. Press services on your Sky remote control and you will see the main menu with Options highlighted.
2. Highlight the Settings menu using the right arrow button and press select.
3. Press 0 (zero), 1 then select to access the Installer Setup menu (this menu is not listed on the Settings menu options).
4. Use the left/right arrows to highlight Rebuild (this will change to Sky+ Rebuild when reached) and press select.
5. The on-screen message "This will take a few minutes to complete. The rebuild will stop all recordings and reboot your Sky+" will appear. Press select to continue.
6. The on-screen message "Housekeeping please wait" will appear and take up to two minutes to clear. If your Sky+HD box continues to display this message for longer than two minutes please carry out a power reset (below) with the viewing card removed.
7. Once complete your Sky+HD box will switch itself off and then back on automatically displaying the red standby light.
8. Ensure the red standby light on the box has re-appeared, then wait for 3 minutes.
9. Press sky your remote control and the light on your Sky+HD box will turn green.

And/or a full system reset --> http://www.sky.com/helpcentre/tv/sky-plus-hd/recording/performing-a-full-system-reset/index.html

Source: http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-HD-Picture-Sound/Picture-Pixelation/td-p/659174

m3kx

KTF wrote: »

The software is sent out for a specific type of box rather than on a per-user basis so they would have to downgrade them all (which they wont do I suspect).

The update is sent out at regular intervals which is why your box will auto update after a period of time even though it has been supplied with a lower version.

Have you tried doing a planner rebuild:

1. Press services on your Sky remote control and you will see the main menu with Options highlighted.
2. Highlight the Settings menu using the right arrow button and press select.
3. Press 0 (zero), 1 then select to access the Installer Setup menu (this menu is not listed on the Settings menu options).
4. Use the left/right arrows to highlight Rebuild (this will change to Sky+ Rebuild when reached) and press select.
5. The on-screen message "This will take a few minutes to complete. The rebuild will stop all recordings and reboot your Sky+" will appear. Press select to continue.
6. The on-screen message "Housekeeping please wait" will appear and take up to two minutes to clear. If your Sky+HD box continues to display this message for longer than two minutes please carry out a power reset (below) with the viewing card removed.
7. Once complete your Sky+HD box will switch itself off and then back on automatically displaying the red standby light.
8. Ensure the red standby light on the box has re-appeared, then wait for 3 minutes.
9. Press sky your remote control and the light on your Sky+HD box will turn green.

And/or a full system reset --> http://www.sky.com/helpcentre/tv/sky-plus-hd/recording/performing-a-full-system-reset/index.html

Source: http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-HD-Picture-Sound/Picture-Pixelation/td-p/659174

Thanks again for info, tried planner rebuild & system reset too but still have issue. :undecided

KTF

m3kx wrote: »

Thanks again for info, tried planner rebuild & system reset too but still have issue. :undecided

Hmm

I don't know what else to suggest other than call sky again as its not your fault that the box has auto updated.

They should have the previous calls on your account so you shouldn't have to tell them the whole story again.

Looking on Google for that software version there seem to be many bugs (none of which I have seen on my box) so hopefully they are looking to fix them soon and push out another software update.

gd2

m3kx wrote: »

It goes black, no screen freeze or blocks.

Model #: R005.053.70.05P
Version #: 4f31a2

Signal is strong.

Engineer didn't seem to check dish alignment (how would he check? if it is physically checking the dish then no, he didn't). He said that sky sent out an email to all engineers stating this issue is to be resolved by box replacement.

I tried manual update, no luck.

Also I tested it via scart for two days and there was no drop out.

I just need the older software back, before the on demand update.

Do you have a Samsung TV?

clane1989

Hi Folks,

First timer here - Hope everyone is well.

I need a bit of help in trying to get my monthly VM bill down if possible?

I'm currently paying £81.15 a month and to be honest we are struggling topay it.

Our package includes the following:

L Broadband

XL TV

M Phone

We have 1 V+ HD box and a normal VHD box upstairs.

Extras we have the Sky Sports package.

If the Girlfriend had her way she'd get rid of the sports package but ifthat goes she goes as well ;-)

Is there any way I can phone up a and maybe reduce the cost somehow?

I obviously don’t want to get rid of Sports as that would mean spending moremoney in the pub J

Personally I’d bloody love a TiVo box. My Dad has just got one at theweekend and they are quite a nice piece of kit.

Any help would be appreciated
Chris.