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

Honeymayspirit

Very dissapointed indeed with Sky. Been with them since they started, always a full package. Dec 2011, rang them said I wanted to see if we could find a better deal. Someone was just so so rude that I said I wanted to cancel...they put me through to retentions. Explained what I wanted to do etc...lovely chap..ended up listening to the tape..rang me back and gave me top TV package of £65 a month for £32.50 for 12 months. Now gone back to the full package. Paid January but wasn't happy with the price.
Rang, asked if there was anything they could do...answer was no, went through to retentions who offered to remove the HD and drop it by £10 a month for the year. Said it wasn't good enough...so we are off, and they are not in the least bit bothered.
Only a week to go now before we get cut off. Have taken out "Lovefilm" which has been brilliant so far. £4.99 a month with an offer of 3 months for the price of one. No contract at all. About to buy a Freesat+ box...so GOOD RIDANCE SKY..shame on you.

Have just spoken with them again and they said this offer for MONDAY with the code WILL NOT be happening and they have no idea where the info came from but, YES, they have heard it is on Moneysavingexpert's site. So I shall come back here Monday night to see what happened.

skyinsider

What people don't realise is that Sky have had certain sections who have not been permitted to give discounts for years... it is beginning to be rolled out throughout all sections now.

The problem is that Sky has devalued itself over a number of years and that is why people who have received discounts now believe that sky is only worth a %age of the cost.

There was a massive push by Virgin about 14 months ago to poach Sky customers (which worked). Sky marketing has statistics showing that a high percentage of them will return to sky once there contract is up. If you had Sky and left for Virgin, you may receive marketing in the next few weeks.

In terms of Sky versus Virgin, Virgin is at near capacity in terms that the cost to roll out the service further as the cost of the infrastructure outweighs any possible income.

Sky also believes that the services they offer such as SkyGo, additional channels and the Sky+ aps now outweigh the 'Tivo effect'. It is amazing the number of people that joined Virgin just for the Tivo box.

Now... if you want a discount... you will struggle to get it. What I recommend doing is calling and downgrade your subscription to the basic, then upgrade again online and see what offers they have on there. Do it through a cashback site and you will get more of a return.

magee737

Was due to be cut off today (sky) had recently downgraded to a variety pack and moved my line rental and broadband to talk talk. So rang them up last night after not receiving a call from them and asked them what they could offer me. Got the 1st months full tv package, excluding hd for £20 then the next 5 months for £27.50 (half price)

Was happy with that

shortchanged_2

skyinsider wrote: »

The problem is that Sky has devalued itself over a number of years and that is why people who have received discounts now believe that sky is only worth a %age of the cost.

Is it really a case of sky devaluing themselves? They have been making huge profits after all.
Personallly I would say at full prices sky is overpriced and I think sky are taking quite a big gamble at a time when there are more alternatives than ever.

problemcashback

skyinsider wrote: »

Now... if you want a discount... you will struggle to get it. What I recommend doing is calling and downgrade your subscription to the basic, then upgrade again online and see what offers they have on there. Do it through a cashback site and you will get more of a return.

You started out talking sense but then seemed to start talking Sky corporate speak

Firstly you can't get cash back unless you upgrade and in the main you need to take out phone or broadband to get these no good cancelling and trying to come back as a new customer.

Secondly the discounts are there you just need to get to the right department many threaten they will cancel this just doesn't work you need to put in the cancel request and some times push through with it but in the end you will get a discount 25% 50% of higher you need to push it and don't accept the first offer

Anon

Finished with Sky at the end of December, had a postcard and email offer last week for 1/2 price tv/sport/movies, so they are clearly still making offers.

If you want the best deal, cancel and be prepared to be without Sky for a while if they don't play ball. There are enough reports on here and elsewhere that they have not completely stopped making offers to customers to stay/come back.

My previous "deal" - 6 months completely free tv/movies/sport - and they are still sending offers to get me to come back (currently tied to VM so not in a rush to deal unless a free offer is back on the table ).

Anon

Del_Astra

zaffy wrote: »

Hi all newbie here,

I got a discound a year ago last August but have only just got round to trying again with Sky.
I pay £53 per month now for TV,Broadband and Phone, like what we get and dont want to change but after two phone calls to sky today, they will only offer me a 12 months £5pm discount.
After two long calls where they argued the toss and slagged off virgin I was told sky dont give discounts anymore and that I was lucky to get a fiver off a month and if I dont like it then go to virgin!!!.
Really really disapointed with them today,
I really wanted 1 20percent discount for 12 moths, is that asking too much??.
Tell me am I wrong??.
Advice,tips and polite criticism taken lol.

No it is not too much to ask, but you do have to cancel. When I called I spent 20 minutes discussing my bill and the service with a very nice man. I got offered the £5 off too, so I proceeded to give my notice. I was due to be cut off on the 17th Feb. I had a missed call on my mobile on Monday evening. They called again on Tuesday, 50% off TV package for 12 months no tie in.

I spent a while going over everything and they explained I could get HD for £2.50 (not taking that). They went over the On demand options, new services getting rolled out and how I can get additional devices registered with Sky Go for a £5 a month, not interested in that thanks. They go over you billing dates, and make it clear when you will revert to full price again.

Hats off to the lady I spoke too, making people feel valued is they way to go and she was very clear about what would happen and offered to move billing dates and pointed out they don't inform you when deals end etc. All clear and easy to understand.

Del_Astra

shortchanged wrote: »

It will be interesting to see what effect Sky's harder line with regards to discounts has on their subscriber numbers over the coming year.

I wonder how many people will have the balls to actually cancel.

We've been without Sky for over a month now and must admit we're not missing it as much as we thought.

Still in this time I have not received any contact from Sky, so the ball is in their court because I'm not going begging to them.

Good for you, I intended to do like wise, they did however call me within my notice period and offered 50% off TV package for 12 months. I think the only that would be missed in our house would be the kids stuff to be honest.

steerforth

Has anyone recently got a good deal with any other provider other than Sky and Virgin Media?. I'm with Virgin Media, pay £29 per month for their basic package. It's cheap and cheerful but I do fancy a having the movies etc added on. Seeing as everyone is complaining about the main two contenders it would be nice to see if there are any deals from other companies before I start to haggle.

steerforth

Has anyone recently got a good deal with any other provider other than Sky and Virgin Media?. I'm with Virgin Media, pay £29 per month for their basic package. It's cheap and cheerful but I do fancy a having the movies etc added on. Seeing as everyone is complaining about the main two contenders it would be nice to see if there are any deals from other companies before I start to haggle.


Sorry, I have only just realised the title of this forum is Sky,Virgin and BT. So as to my previous question, my apologies if this was the wrong forum to ask.