Bullied by Sky into a new 12 month contract, what are my rights?

deepindebtor

I am trying to reduce my outgoings every month so I called Sky and asked to reduce my packages.

I asked to go to the record only (Sky+) package, I saw this a just a reduction, I didn't want to cancel Sky as I still have my phone and broadband with them.

I was told I HAD to signup to another 12 month contract, I said that didn't sound right, I just wanted to reduce what I had, they refused to let me speak to a supervisor and I was told they would just tell me the same thing, so no, I could not speak to one.

We proceeded and they have reduced my package to the record only (with telephone and broadband being untouched)

Is this correct that I have to signup for another 12 months?

I just don't feel happy and I think maybe it was the wrong decision.

Am I covered by the cooling off period, can I go back and just ask to cancel everything as I feel rather bullied and now very unhappy.

What are my rights here under UK and EU law?

Can someone advise me?

macman

'Record only' (i.e. just the continued use of Sky+ and no subscription channels) is not a subscription, so you can cancel it with 30 days notice.
But are you aware that if you had cancelled the whole thing, then you would still have received all the same channels as you have now (Freesat From Sky), you just would have lost the Sky+ functionality?
Or have you recontracted to the basic Sky subscription package?
If you've recontracted, then no cooling off period applies, as it is not a new contract, it's just a extension.

deepindebtor

As I said:

I was TOLD I had to re-contract, I was NOT given any other option.

I will only have the free channels no paid ones but still have the record option (sky+)

My question still stands. Was I told this incorrectly, was I forced into this due to bad advice? If I was what can I do?

Were they correct?

I was not looking to cancel but reduce my outgoings, I had not planned or wanted to re-contract but I was forced into it. Do I have any right to complain.

macman

You do not have a subscription any more then, or will not have once your 30 days notice has expired.
You weren't 'forced' into anything, you agreed it. You could have simply terminated the call and rechecked your options.

Gordon_Hose

You could have just cancelled the TV and left the phone and BB in place.

In any case you need to make an official complaint to Sky. Then you'll have to hope they recorded your conversation.

System

I understood that to have the Sky+ functionality you must also have at least one of the TV packages.

If you have no packages then you have freesat from sky which does not include the Sky+ functionality

ETA

You can add Sky+ to freesat for £10pm so as the OP is going down from whatever to freesat with Sky+ then this is a re-contract

deepindebtor

Had a long discussion with people at Sky, they say they had NOT recontracted me for a year and I am making a complaint about the operator as they vastly overstepped the mark. So things are being resolved.

sniggings

not nice being tricked...but I guess you would be keeping the service for a year anyway as you want sky+.

maybe post what you are paying now as there are probably better and cheaper options than sky, as all you are paying them £10 a month for is to be able to record, buy your own freeview or freesat box and you can record for free.

I have freesat for the free to air channels and can record the same as sky

EE unlimited broadband 14mb speed with free evening and weekend calls

a landline too

all for £16.50 a month, so only £6,50 more than what you are paying sky for the privliege of being allowed to record a free to air channel.

[Deleted User]

sniggings wrote: »

maybe post what you are paying now as there are probably better and cheaper options than sky, as all you are paying them £10 a month for is to be able to record, buy your own freeview or freesat box and you can record for free.

Yes, £10 a month equates to £120 a year. A new PVR for Freeview or Freesat would cost little more than that and would have no monthly subscription.

mickaveli2001

Depends on your contract duration. If you still have 8 months left, or 6 months left and want to amend it, then they have to start a "new" one, which is better than them turning round and claiming you have to pay for the package for the contracted 12 months.

Say you had the full works and wanted to reduce your monthly bills. Usually by having all 3 and on the full package means you are likely to be on the highest combined discount rate. So even if you were to reduce certain little bits such as your land-line package and reduce the TV from entertainment extra to entertainment, then you can in some cases make no saving at all, and even end up paying more

Sky Sports, Sky movies, and Box Channel are considered "add on's" and can be added and removed whenever