Sky issue - help!

Parisian

In 2002 I was living with my parents and signed up to Sky in my name. For the last year I have been living away but sometimes staying with them. I have continued the subscription in my name.

About a month ago, my mum told me she was getting a distorted picture on Channel 4. She had recently bought a new TV, so we were not sure if it was the TV or the Sky box. A friend had a spare (and newer) Sky box and has loaned it to us to see if replacing the Sky box improves things.

It turns out the issue has resolved by replacing the Sky box, so it's probably to do with the old box (also we seem to have a low signal strength so it may be to do with the dish position too).

What is the best way of sorting this out? Ideally I would like to transfer the name of the contract to my mums name as I will probably be moving into my own place soon and would like to start my own subscription there.
I see 2 options:

1. Call up Sky and tell them about the problems - and see if they will repair it. If I'm lucky they may replace the Sky box or perhaps charge a fee for it. They may not look at the signal strength problem. The contract would still remain in my name.

2. Cancel sky and then my mum is free to sign up to them. This will mean the contract is in her name from now on. It also means that they will install a new system including looking at the dish, signal strength etc.
But, will she have to wait to sign up with Sky because there has been a contract with a family member in the house or can she do this straight away?

Thanks v. much for any advice in advance!

nickcc

Is the box Sky or Sky + if Sky + it could just the hard drive failing. I replaced both of the drives on my two boxes due to the picture failing. You can pick up a fairly new Sky + box on eBay which will probably be your cheapest option. Suggest ringing Sky and asking how to change contract to your Mother, may be easier to cancel and just start your Mother as a new customer as she'll probably get a new free box and installation.

Parisian

Thanks nickcc!
It's a normal Sky box... yes, think I'm just going to ring and cancel and start again. Will my mum be able to start a new contract fairly soon? Not sure how it works if a family member has had Sky recently in the house, and if they expect a specified amount of time to lapse first

nickcc

Would think they would be more than happy to snatch your hand off, try and negotiate the best deal you can get just don't give in too easially.

Heinz

Sky's view is that he household has the subscription, I'm afraid.

nickcc

Pretty sure if you asked for disconnections (retentions) Sky would be more than happy to offer a better deal, if not go for Freeview.

bubblegun

Parisian wrote: »

In 2002 I was living with my parents and signed up to Sky in my name. For the last year I have been living away but sometimes staying with them. I have continued the subscription in my name.

About a month ago, my mum told me she was getting a distorted picture on Channel 4. She had recently bought a new TV, so we were not sure if it was the TV or the Sky box. A friend had a spare (and newer) Sky box and has loaned it to us to see if replacing the Sky box improves things.

It turns out the issue has resolved by replacing the Sky box, so it's probably to do with the old box (also we seem to have a low signal strength so it may be to do with the dish position too).

What is the best way of sorting this out? Ideally I would like to transfer the name of the contract to my mums name as I will probably be moving into my own place soon and would like to start my own subscription there.
I see 2 options:

1. Call up Sky and tell them about the problems - and see if they will repair it. If I'm lucky they may replace the Sky box or perhaps charge a fee for it. They may not look at the signal strength problem. The contract would still remain in my name.

2. Cancel sky and then my mum is free to sign up to them. This will mean the contract is in her name from now on. It also means that they will install a new system including looking at the dish, signal strength etc.
But, will she have to wait to sign up with Sky because there has been a contract with a family member in the house or can she do this straight away?

Thanks v. much for any advice in advance!

They will offer you a new box with HD channels £5 extra for 12 months to keep the subs but it will stay in your name.

Realistically, if you no longer live there then they can have no argument with you cancelling and your mum opening an account in her name.

But this will be a bit of hassle plus if you don't have a sky+ box then cancellation may be able to offer the free box because you've had Sky so long without the increase and a package discount too!

Call and ask, loyalty is valued despite some reports to the contrary.

Parisian

Thanks guys for your responses

Thing is, I'm not sure how to approach them - I can't take both approaches ie. say there is a problem and it needs fixing, and then if I don't like what they offer say that I am leaving.
Any ideas on how to go about it when I am on the phone to them?

Also, I am moving out so technically I can cancel my subscription. However, if they say it's been in the same household and so my mum cannot resubscribe straight away - how long is the wait? Is it 12 months? I don't think my mum can last 12 months without Sky (but I would be happy to!)

:rotfl:

custardy

Parisian wrote: »

Thanks guys for your responses

Thing is, I'm not sure how to approach them - I can't take both approaches ie. say there is a problem and it needs fixing, and then if I don't like what they offer say that I am leaving.
Any ideas on how to go about it when I am on the phone to them?

Also, I am moving out so technically I can cancel my subscription. However, if they say it's been in the same household and so my mum cannot resubscribe straight away - how long is the wait? Is it 12 months? I don't think my mum can last 12 months without Sky (but I would be happy to!)

:rotfl:

call up and ask what they can do with regards to your mum taking up a contract and cancelling yours
then work from what they offer

Parisian

custardy wrote: »

call up and ask what they can do with regards to your mum taking up a contract and cancelling yours
then work from what they offer

That would just confirm that the Sky subscription held was a household one...

custardy

Parisian wrote: »

That would just confirm that the Sky subscription held was a household one...

Well the OP is the account holder and 'moving out'
So how can the account stay with the bills in their name?