Sky - now compulsory 12 month contracts?

jonesMUFCforever

10 Months ago complained to Sky that my monthly charge of £65 was too much (Variety pack Sky sports and HD) and they reduced it to £50pm. This was on a non contract basis - I could have quit at any time.
This is now finishing - they offered me all kinds of deals from £35 to £57 to stay (46 minutes on the phone with them!) but they won't budge from the 12 month contract.

So I have given them a months notice to quit which they accepted but I wondered if anybody has a way round should I get any ''offers'' to stay?

I have BT infinity broadband so could go with them (but I don't have an aeriel so Freeview would be difficult) - Virgin media is a no no - not living in a cabled area.

duchy

If you can get all that for £35 and it's still to much then just leave if you don't want a 12 month contract

mije1983

There is no way around it. You can't force them to keep you on a 30 day rolling contract. Have a look at the haggling thread though, as plenty of people (including me) are currently on 50%+ discounts with no 12 month contract.

If you move TV to BT though wouldn't you be starting a new 12/18 month contract for that anyway?

jonesMUFCforever

mije1983 wrote: »

There is no way around it. You can't force them to keep you on a 30 day rolling contract. Have a look at the haggling thread though, as plenty of people (including me) are currently on 50%+ discounts with no 12 month contract.

If you move TV to BT though wouldn't you be starting a new 12/18 month contract for that anyway?

Yes but as a new customer I would get a deep discount.

jonesMUFCforever

Well the offers have started!
In my sky account page 50 % off any package as long I sign for 12 months.
Will wait to see if any more offers arrive - I have a month to decide.

mije1983

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Yes but as a new customer I would get a deep discount.

How much would you get from BT?

50% + £50 bill credit seems to be the current offer for those that play the game and put in their cancellation notice to Sky.

jonesMUFCforever

mije1983 wrote: »

How much would you get from BT?

50% + £50 bill credit seems to be the current offer for those that play the game and put in their cancellation notice to Sky.

Sky don't know that I don't have an aeriel to take full advantage of BT TV and they don't know I don't live in a cabled area.
50 % off my £65 monthly bill would be acceptable especially If I could wangle a new box as mine is starting to play up.
If I was on a contract I do not see them giving me a free engineer's visit as I would have to pay monthly fee if box fails or not.

mije1983

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

50 % off my £65 monthly bill would be acceptable especially If I could wangle a new box as mine is starting to play up.
If I was on a contract I do not see them giving me a free engineer's visit as I would have to pay monthly fee if box fails or not.

Getting a new box may well tie you into a new contract. I had the same problem 2 or 3 years ago and I couldn't get them to budge on that point. Without a box, no problem. I suppose you've just got to weigh up what's best for you. A new box on a 12 month contract, or keep your current one and go for a rolling deal.

The plus point is, if you're on a rolling contract and your old box fails, it's pretty easy to get a free engineer visit by just saying you'll cancel!

[Deleted User]

Sky do know that you don't live in a cabled area. Virgin Media's postcode checker will swiftly reveal that to them.
It's unwise, therefore, to mention Virgin Prices/services if you cannot get them…

brewerdave

I got 60% plus £100 bill credit plus a brand new HD+ box in October a few days after cancellation took effect......but I had to take a package upgrade to achieve this and the new box meant a 12 month contract ...they wouldn't budge any further at the time.

superbigal36

Get a box on ebay.