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

gunmasterg9

I've just come to the end of my 75% off offer and called cancellations straight up, they asked why I wanted to cancel, told them the only reason I took up sky was the deal. They offered my 50% for 6 months, told them to shove it as I just heard one of his colleagues offer 75% off to another customer. He didn't have anything to say. I get cut off tomorrow, and each year I have been cut off I've had a letter asking me to come back with 75% off offer. I'm not going to give in to these big companies, its not like I am desperate to watch sky. I asked them why they also increasing prices? They said its because they increasing the way you can watch sky, I came back with, I didn't ask for these services and secondly, they've lost the football to BT, so its rubbish for them to increase prices. Advisor was schtum!

[Deleted User]

Ad86 wrote: »

Sky/virgin should do offers for everyone or nobody.

Sky will obviously never officially reveal the criteria they use for (repeated) retention deals. However, they are certain to look more favourably at accounts which have for example never had arrears, the frequency of pay-per-view use, subscription to premium channels and long-term custom.
It's definitely not some kind of "lottery", though, as that would result in Sky losing some valuable customers while keeping some of those they might prefer to let go.

Ad86 wrote: »

I recently rung up to cancel movies and sports (have had the full package for years!) and the guy on the phone just said 'sorry there's no kind if deals available, we dont do that kind of thing'. Which everyone knows is rubbish....

They'll usually allow customers to cancel premium channels if they claim they need to save money or it's too expensive. The only way to be certain to be offered at least some kind of deal is to actually tender your cancellation. You need to be speaking to the Retentions department because the general Sky Agent you spoke to was telling the truth when he said that "we don't do that sort of thing".

DragonQ

I am unconvinced that it is solely based on past custom. I was offered both 50% off TV for 12 months and free TV for 6 months after only being with Sky for a year (on a 50% deal), never using PPV, not paying for my final bill (they agreed to cover it after making mistakes), and getting a free home move.

[Deleted User]

DragonQ wrote: »

I am unconvinced that it is solely based on past custom.

There are always exceptions to every "rule".
(Although looking at some of your experiences with Sky, it just looks like most of your deals have been either a mistake or the result of one!:eek::D)

DragonQ

Wouldn't surprise me.

Ad86

DragonQ wrote: »

I am unconvinced that it is solely based on past custom. I was offered both 50% off TV for 12 months and free TV for 6 months after only being with Sky for a year (on a 50% deal), never using PPV, not paying for my final bill (they agreed to cover it after making mistakes), and getting a free home move.

I agree.
Sky have literally had thousands off me over the years and I get nothing in return.
That's on £80+ a month package, never missing a bill etc etc.

So the past custom 'thing' can't be true.

[Deleted User]

Ad86 wrote: »

So the past custom 'thing' can't be true.

So why weren't you offered anything? Could it be that you rang and asked a customer service clerk for a discount and then refused to believe that they couldn't offer any?

It's pretty common knowledge that you have to cancel (not threaten to), in order to be guaranteed a deal.

As I said, if Sky were to offer retention deals only to random customers with no defined criteria then they'd risk losing valued customers and possibly end up keeping those they'd rather do without.

Sky are a business pure and simple. If they are not convinced that you will cease to be a customer otherwise then they'll obviously refuse to offer you a deal.

I suggest you practice your bargaining skills and then ring up to cancel.

Ad86

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

So why weren't you offered anything? Could it be that you rang and asked a customer service clerk for a discount and then refused to believe that they couldn't offer any?

It's pretty common knowledge that you have to cancel (not threaten to), in order to be guaranteed a deal.

As I said, if Sky were to offer retention deals only to random customers with no defined criteria then they'd risk losing valued customers and possibly end up keeping those they'd rather do without.

Sky are a business pure and simple. If they are not convinced that you will cease to be a customer otherwise then they'll obviously refuse to offer you a deal.

I suggest you practice your bargaining skills and then ring up to cancel.

No I rung up and cancelled. And that was the end of that :huh:

[Deleted User]

Ad86 wrote: »

No I rung up and cancelled. And that was the end of that :huh:

Has your notice period actually ended? If so, expect to receive offers to return very soon. If not, you may still get offered a deal.

thomas18

My cancellation period expired and consequently got cut off last week. No phone calls from sky. I have been on half price deals for many years so perhaps I am the type of customer they are not bothered about keeping. Although i am getting it in the neck big time from other family members for sky going, I will bide my time and see if sky respond.