Angry at Sky - enough to cancel!

SweetSusan

Hi.

I followed Martin's advice several times, and got nowhere with Sky. My monthly bill stayed the same. Virgin floods me with offers, but I like some Sky channels, so I hung on despite financial stress.

I missed last month's bill, due 7 January. I called just now to pay it. We were cut off last night.

Sky told me the bill*not due* until tomorrow, 7 February, must be paid in full also to permit me to get Sky TV.

I asked for a manger, got one, and he could do nothing. After threatening to cancel, he offered a ridiculous offer - he would allow me to pay the bill due last month, and issue a credit for tomorrow's due bill - for one day only. *To give me a chance to get it together* - his words. Then tomorrow, he'd debit the account and we'd lose service for being late, 1 day after being billed.

After years of hanging on, at full price, that was the last straw. I cancelled. He then blustered, but did nothing.

Why am I the only one who cannot get a better deal from Sky?

At this point, after being loyal so long, I told them I was cancelling. They told me - I am not allowed to cancel until the bill is paid in full.

This is ridiculous. I told him to do what he had to do, and got off the phone.

I would like to complain to any regulatory authorities, does anyone know whom to complain to?

2 things of note:

1. I wanted to give them money, the bill overdue by 29 days. They would not take the partial payment, unless I paid the bill *not yet due* at the same time.
2. Their inflexibility finally pushed me to quit.

I am sad to lose their programmes; I loved some. But I feel better.

I'd be grateful for any suggestions on how to get Sky for a lower price. I have read everything on this website, without success.

Thank you for reading.

[Deleted User]

If you can't keep up regular payments then the only way your bill will decrease is when they cut you off for good.
Sky might only entertain a bill reduction if you set up a direct debit, pay your arrears and pay on time for a period.
Having your service suspended and failing to pay on time will do nothing to convince Sky you are a customer worth offering incentives to.

As stated, you'll only be able to cancel when your arrears are cleared. If you fail to pay, the arrears will continue to be owed. Remember that you also need to give a month's notice of cancellation, so you'll have to factor in at least one more monthly subscription to pay.

The "regulatory bodies" will not entertain your complaint that Sky would not reduce your bill. They will simply point to the option you had to decrease your subscription level or cancel.

If you are in genuine financial difficulties, may I suggest you post a Statement Of Affairs (SOA) on the "Debt Free Wannabe" board;
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=76

Do realise that the first thing they will suggest is that you cancel Sky completely along with any other luxuries (gym etc) that you might currently enjoy.

won1888

You miss a payment by 1 month then moan when they won't allow you to cancel till you have no arrears. Would you have the same attitude if your employers withheld your pay for 1 month ?. If you are struggling to pay your Sky bill maybe its time to settle the arrears and get rid of it.

GlynD

To be honest with you, if I were in the Virgin catchment area I'd subscribe to them. Far superior service to Sky.

We won't have Sky in the house. They ripped us off to the tune of hundreds over a misunderstanding when I was ill. We are content with Freesat in the lounge and Freeview in the bedroom.

[Deleted User]

GlynD wrote: »

if I were in the Virgin catchment area I'd subscribe to them.

The Op will find that very difficult if she remains in arrears with Sky.

GlynD wrote: »

We are content with Freesat in the lounge and Freeview in the bedroom.

A much better option for someone in financial difficulty. Signing to another provider would mean another twelve month contract.

SweetSusan

Hi, Thank you for your suggestions and taking the time to reply.

Of course I do realise arrears need to be cleared. What surprised me was that they would not let me pay for the one month due, and insisted I pay for the next month - before the date the next month's bill is due! That is real nerve, I believe.

That made me angry. I've been in good credit with them for most of the time, yet when I have asked for any better rates, it's always refused. In the past, when I used Martin's suggestions, none worked; I even timed it to the days suggested.

My anger is not because when owed money, Sky wants it. It is because they would not accept the payment to make me owe nothing - and then let me cancel, because the next month started in 1 day and they insisted I pay for that, though it is service in advance. That made little sense.

>>Do realise that the first thing they will suggest is that you cancel Sky completely along with any other luxuries (gym etc) that you might currently enjoy.[/QUOTE]

Naturally. It is the only luxury, and somewhat needed to keep my work current, but not paid for.

Thanks again, still wondering where to complain about their policies. I don't want an apology letter, wastes time.

SweetSusan

won1888 wrote: »

You miss a payment by 1 month then moan when they won't allow you to cancel till you have no arrears. Would you have the same attitude if your employers withheld your pay for 1 month ?. If you are struggling to pay your Sky bill maybe its time to settle the arrears and get rid of it.

This episode made me finally lose any loyalty to Sky. I'm really sorry for that; I love some programmes only available there.

I decided it is not worth it.

You're right.

SweetSusan

GlynD wrote: »

To be honest with you, if I were in the Virgin catchment area I'd subscribe to them. Far superior service to Sky.

We won't have Sky in the house. They ripped us off to the tune of hundreds over a misunderstanding when I was ill. We are content with Freesat in the lounge and Freeview in the bedroom.

Sky is still a business. I am a good customer, and have been for 9 or so years. I find it amazing that they are just happy to let someone go, and make no effort to try to resolve.

I did offer money to make it current. They insisted on payment of the next month in advance also, and acknowledged this is before the next bill is even due. That was the last straw.

I do not approve of the way they do business, so left. I hope some other company enters the market and is more user-friendly.

I'd lose all my customers if I treated them that way.

Thanks again.

SweetSusan

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

The Op will find that very difficult if she remains in arrears with Sky.

A much better option for someone in financial difficulty. Signing to another provider would mean another twelve month contract.

It's all left quite a bad taste. I'll explore other options.

Thanks again.

SweetSusan

SweetSusan wrote: »

Hi.

I followed Martin's advice several times, and got nowhere with Sky. My monthly bill stayed the same. Virgin floods me with offers, but I like some Sky channels, so I hung on despite financial stress.

I missed last month's bill, due 7 January. I called just now to pay it. We were cut off last night.

Sky told me the bill*not due* until tomorrow, 7 February, must be paid in full also to permit me to get Sky TV.

I asked for a manger, got one, and he could do nothing. After threatening to cancel, he offered a ridiculous offer - he would allow me to pay the bill due last month, and issue a credit for tomorrow's due bill - for one day only. *To give me a chance to get it together* - his words. Then tomorrow, he'd debit the account and we'd lose service for being late, 1 day after being billed.

After years of hanging on, at full price, that was the last straw. I cancelled. He then blustered, but did nothing.

Why am I the only one who cannot get a better deal from Sky?

At this point, after being loyal so long, I told them I was cancelling. They told me - I am not allowed to cancel until the bill is paid in full.

This is ridiculous. I told him to do what he had to do, and got off the phone.

I would like to complain to any regulatory authorities, does anyone know whom to complain to?

2 things of note:

1. I wanted to give them money, the bill overdue by 29 days. They would not take the partial payment, unless I paid the bill *not yet due* at the same time.
2. Their inflexibility finally pushed me to quit.

I am sad to lose their programmes; I loved some. But I feel better.

I'd be grateful for any suggestions on how to get Sky for a lower price. I have read everything on this website, without success.

Thank you for reading.

What rankles is reading Martin's advice on this right now:

>>Got half price for six months, then half price for another six months after that! All because I suggested we were moving to Virgin.
>>"We phoned up after doing quotes and got it down from £75 to £35 a month for 12 months. That's with Sky Sports added on!"

I tried every tactic Martin suggested. Sky never gave an inch. So I'm angered, knowing I'm paying the max they charge people, never got any break when I asked (I am super-polite in person and by phone), and yet, this. End of story for me.

Thanks.

robpw2

you could have logged in online and made a partial payment for the outstanding balance then paid todays bill of too .. no need to get upset