Unaffordable subscriptions

Rokit5

Hi all,
I'm not certain if I'm in the right place so please forgive my ignorance if so, this is my first post.

I'm after some advice with a situation I have found myself in with Sky.

I have a TV/Broadband/Phone package which has got more and more expensive over the months.

I've just taken a lower paid job and am having some financial difficulties.

The last bill was almost £110 for the month- the largest portion of this expense came from the telephone which seems to be very expensive.
I haven't been able to pay it and have paid half to get it down but cannot pay the rest till I'm paid at the end of the month- by this time, another bill is due so I will face paying over £100 again and I just can't afford it.

I called to cancel last night but was given the usual sales talk and offered a discount.
I was put on the spot and agreed to what sounded like a more affordable plan and I agreed to stay based on this lower cost.
However, on reflection today I considered it a bad move after looking at my finances closely.

I told Sky I had changed to a lower paid job and was having problems and they knew I had only paid half my bill but the only assistance I got from them was to ignore my cancellation request and sweet talk me into staying. I know they aren't an agony aunt or an advice service but surely they shouldn't hard sell to struggling customers?

As I say, I felt pressured and put on the spot and I made a hasty decision that I regretted less than 24 hours later.
I called to cancel and I just wish I had been allowed to do this.

I contacted them again tonight and reiterated my wish to cancel but they told me I had yesterday taken out a 12 month contract and am now contracted until December 2016.
I told them I hadn't signed anything and it had been less than 24 hours and they simply told me it's a legally binding verbal contract.

I told them I'm struggling and can't afford their services but they were not interested and basically told me there is nothing they can do and that they have acted perfectly within the law.

I'm now in a position where my services are about to be restricted due to only paying half last month's bill, so I am going to be paying for something I am not getting and locked into a 12 month contract that I can't afford.

I told them I believe they have a duty of care when customers are showing financial struggle but they really couldn't be less interested and cannot help me any further.

Please could somebody advise on my options here?

I had intended on speaking to Ofcom and relevant other parties that may be able to help as I feel certain this can't be right.


Thank you

sourcrates

Hi,
Lots of info about this on the net, apparently sky get around the "cooling off period" by claiming your just re-issuing your existing contract, not entering a new one, hence no cooling off period.

You could try ofcom, see how that goes.

If you don't pay, you could end up with no service, and be unable to switch providers, slimy !!!!!!s are sky!!!!!

Rokit5

Thank you for your reply.

Yes I've seen the article on the telegraph this evening about the difficulties Customers face when trying to cancel Sky.

I don't see how anyone can make a proper informed decision about entering into a 12 month contract in a matter of seconds having being given a tempting sweetener and sales pitch while the clock ticks and a salesman is waiting for an answer at the other end- this all done after the Customer phoning with the initial intention to cancel!

I'm not the most confident person, particularly not on the telephone and I feel that I made a smart decision in looking to give up my Sky given my circumstances but they are trained to get around you and put you on the spot.
It should have been relatively simple and easy but it never is and that's a shame because we have the right to seek more affordable services.

I have put a complaint in writing to Sky by email so that their higher department is aware and I intend to go to Ofcom with it. I'll let you know any response as I'm sure I'm not the only one that has found themselves here :-/

[Deleted User]

As much as despised, have you tried retentions see if you can get it lowered?

Word of warning when it comes to cancelling direct debits with these utilities companies, they will bite back, I found a number will then stick you on CPA when that happens losing the card is recommended

concrete_kid

Did they tell you there was no cooling off period? They should do, I know Plusnet made it clear to when I rang to get my bill lowered. If they didn't, you should complain and ask them to listen to the call to prove it. They have to inform you if there is no cooling off period.