Cooling Off Periods-Sky

The_Jester

I spoke to Sky customer services this afternoon to arrange to renew my contract for another year. After putting the phone down I looked on the website and realised new customers were getting the same deal as me a heck of a lot cheaper. I called them back and told them I wasn't very happy at new customers getting it cheaper but they weren't interested.

I told them I thought about cancelling the full thing and changing over to Virgin. They then told me I only had 24 hours to make up my mind as that is when the new contract begins.

I always thought I had a 7 day cooling off period when arranging something like this over the phone but I was told that only applies to certain things but Sky contracts are only 24hours.

Is this correct or am I being hoodwinked?

Buzby

Nope. You also erred in assuming you had a fixed term contract. You didn't, it just carried on regardless. What you did was 'upgraded' and as an existing customer 24hrs to cancel is relatively generous, as they don't have to give this.

The important stage you missed was giving notice to cancel (30 days) then wait for the redemptions call to offer you the better rate.

Maybe next year?

The_Jester

I have until 14:00 tomorrow. So I'll think about it.

Davejpc

I had a similar situation, my wife phoned up to cancel our sky tv package, we have been with them for many years.
She was offered £10 pound off being told that she would save over £100 pound. Unfortunately she agreed.
When she told me we decided we still wanted to cancel but was not worried as we would have a cooling off period.

No how wrong we were, they are adamant that there is no cooling off period, that was within 30 minutes of the original call.

It appears they get around the distance selling rules due to the fact they offer the service straight away, even though you pay a month in arrears.
They have it stitched up a treat ignoring users rights by cleverly getting around them.
As soon as I am out of the contract I will never use them again. Cant be good customer policy.
I will also make as many people aware that sky doesn't offer a lot more than freeview unless you want movies or sports.

teddysmum

Sky charge a month in advance; not arrears.


The only payment in arrears is for service up to the first bill date, which is often combined with a bill for a month in advance, too. (Charged phone calls are also in arrears, though contracted calls, broadband and line rental are in advance)