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

maginot

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

I've been with Sky for 18+ years and I've got their HD TV, Unlimited Broadband and calls/line rental package. I pay approx £55 a month for this. I'm perfectly happy with it but my SKY+ HD box isn't working properly. One of the input sockets is faulty. This means that we have to watch whatever channel we're recording which really defeats the purpose. I spoke to one of their advisors because of the error messages etc and he tried to get me to take out their insurance which would mean I would get a new box for free. I decided, well my hubby decided, to not bother and we'd just put up with it. Well, it's crap.

We're not in a cable area so our options are limited. We can't afford to pay for an aerial (we've always used the sat dish) and we can't afford to buy a new box. Hubby wants me to phone Sky and threaten to cancel unless they send us a new box but I'm not confident enough to do this. I don't think we've got anything to threaten them with!

Any suggestions?

Hi happybutterfly, don't worry about cancelling. Ring up sky, tell them the box isn't working correctly. You might go through their tedious list of faults first, then say they need to send out an engineer but you will be charged for this.

Just say this is not good enough and you would rather cancel (they may then also try to sell insurance) just say no and that you are not paying for a product that doesn't work properly.
You will be transferred to cancellations and I can almost guarantee they will send an engineer for free, who will replace the box for you if the problem can't be fixed. I know tens of people who have done this (including myself - twice) who have never been charged. If the worst did happen and they didn't give you a free engineer, you can always reactivated your account before the month cancellation expires.

You have nothing to lose by cancelling, getting discounts is sometimes hit and miss depending on the rep you talk to but they always send out an engineer for free rather than lose a customer.

philgods

philgods wrote: »

On full package with HD, movies and sports at £60.75 pm. No phone or broadband.

Followed the advice above and went straight through to cancellations, citing that it was too expensive etc. I didn't ask for any 'deals'. A Scottish lass offered me 25% off for 6 months but I declined.

Will report back if I get a call with a better offer. Otherwise, balls to them.

RESULT!!
Just had a call 5 days after cancelling.
Half price any package for 12 months (but have to pay full HD cost)

They still seem to be trying hard to keep customers. You just need to hold your nerve, and be prepared to go elsewhere.

[Deleted User]

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

Any suggestions?

Buy a second hand digibox from E-bay if Sky won't play ball...

thehappybutterfly

maginot wrote: »

Hi happybutterfly, don't worry about cancelling. Ring up sky, tell them the box isn't working correctly. You might go through their tedious list of faults first, then say they need to send out an engineer but you will be charged for this.

Just say this is not good enough and you would rather cancel (they may then also try to sell insurance) just say no and that you are not paying for a product that doesn't work properly.
You will be transferred to cancellations and I can almost guarantee they will send an engineer for free, who will replace the box for you if the problem can't be fixed. I know tens of people who have done this (including myself - twice) who have never been charged. If the worst did happen and they didn't give you a free engineer, you can always reactivated your account before the month cancellation expires.

You have nothing to lose by cancelling, getting discounts is sometimes hit and miss depending on the rep you talk to but they always send out an engineer for free rather than lose a customer.

Thanks maginot. I'll try and pluck up the courage - I'm not at my best on the phone! Maybe I should have a couple of wee drinkies beforehand!

afn

Only managed to get Sky to offer me 10% off my TV subscription and they wanted me to cancel my multiroom and HD pack. Due to cease at end of day on 02/05/13. Hope they call me with a better offer as if it cancels my wife will not be impressed.

custardy

philgods wrote: »

RESULT!!
Just had a call 5 days after cancelling.
Half price any package for 12 months (but have to pay full HD cost)

They still seem to be trying hard to keep customers. You just need to hold your nerve, and be prepared to go elsewhere.

seems to be no pattern
my Sky expired on the 15th of last month
no contact from them

[Deleted User]

custardy wrote: »

seems to be no pattern

There is no pattern. It depends on numerous factors unique to the individual account.

custardy

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

There is no pattern. It depends on numerous factors unique to the individual account.

well you would think they would be chasing every customer they can,even with a paltry offer
As it is Im in the lucky position of having the choice of cable and Sky
we are about to get BT infinity in the area too
So I'll be looking at the offerings of all the services and doing some haggling

[Deleted User]

custardy wrote: »

well you would think they would be chasing every customer they can

No, some ex-customers won't be deemed profitable. For example if they had numerous retention deals already or if the account has been in arrears.They also take note if you mentioned leaving for another supplier-why waste money writing to people who have subsequently signed a contract with a different operator?
I fully expect you to get offers to return, but they'll give you time to start missing your service.

custardy

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

No, some ex-customers won't be deemed profitable. For example if they had numerous retention deals already or if the account has been in arrears.They also take note if you mentioned leaving for another supplier-why waste money writing to people who have subsequently signed a contract with a different operator?
I fully expect you to get offers to return, but they'll give you time to start missing your service.

No I have access to them
ergo I am a customer you would think they would want,else they not only lose the customer but their competitor gains a customer
giving time is fine,but it also gives time to see what else is available