Sky TV - Need to cut the package but not in my name!!

Pullingmyhairout

Surely someone out there has had this issue before?
I cannot afford or justify the £103 a month that I pay for Sky TV and broadband. The contract is in my ex-partner's name, who moved out 3 years ago and who I haven't seen since. I have however, always, from the beginning (2010) paid the subscription from my bank account.
I call Sky and explain that I need to go back to the basic package, and they tell me that because the contract is in his name, they MUST speak to him. I tell them that I don't know where he is, and I have no way of getting hold of him. They say the contract cannot be changed. I say I can't afford it, they say the contract cannot be changed!!! Round we go, although interestingly, they will allow me to upgrade to Sky Sports??
I suggest stopping the direct debit, and then opening up a new account in my name. They say that the original account will be then be defaulted on and they will not be able to install Sky again at my address.
I feel like just cancelling the direct debit - after all they can't chase me for any debt as I am not the account holder (they have drilled that into me) and they can find my ex-partner! I will then have to install BT or Freeview, but then I have to have an aerial installed grrrrrrr
This is barking mad, surely? Does anyone have any advice?

[Deleted User]

If you know the password on the account (and the answers to security questions) then you can probably get someone of the same sex as your ex-partner to make the changes you require without any difficulty at all.

Don't just cancel the Direct Debit, as the account will go into arrears and be sent to Debt Collection.

If you don't know the password and questions then you really need to write to Sky detailing your desire to change the account holder. It will help that the bill is already being paid from your Bank account.

System

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Don't just cancel the Direct Debit, as the account will go into arrears and be sent to Debt Collection.

Its not in the OPs name so they would go chasing after the OPs partner.

System

Pullingmyhairout wrote: »

I feel like just cancelling the direct debit - after all they can't chase me for any debt as I am not the account holder (they have drilled that into me) and they can find my ex-partner! I will then have to install BT or Freeview, but then I have to have an aerial installed grrrrrrr
This is barking mad, surely? Does anyone have any advice?

Cancel the direct debit. Make sure that your ex-partners name is removed from the electoral roll at your address. The box will continue to work as a Freesat one although you may need to buy a Freesat card from Sky and you won't be able to record. I doubt very much that Sky wouldn't sign you up, they're seriously desperate for custom as they're struggling to pay for the football rights they overpaid for.

[Deleted User]

Tarambor wrote: »

Its not in the OPs name so they would go chasing after the OPs partner.

The bill has always been paid from the OP's bank account. It's this account (and the OP's address) which debt collectors would seek payment from.

Tarambor wrote: »

Cancel the direct debit.

Under no circumstance other than Sky agreeing a formal cancellation notice period should the OP do this.

Tarambor wrote: »

The box will continue to work as a Freesat one although you may need to buy a Freesat card from Sky and you won't be able to record. I doubt very much that Sky wouldn't sign you up, they're seriously desperate for custom as they're struggling to pay for the football rights they overpaid for.

They won't sign up a new account at the same address which has just defaulted, especially one paid from the same bank account.
Freesat from Sky viewing cards are no longer required.

Carrot007

I'm sure you could get a resolution.

However you will have to speak to someone other that the usual drones on the call line. They are paid to little to care about the hard problems. They would probably even be remrimanded for taking so lkong on a call, so Must be the account holder, bye is just what you will get.

Maybe a letter of complaint. (In which you appologise profusely for not sorting it out at the right point when he left). Or some facebook moaning etc.

I know my aunt has a similar problem with her BT line, in that it is in her fathers name who died back in the 80s.

Cornucopia

Pullingmyhairout wrote: »

... the £103 a month...

Now TV provides the main Sky services over the Internet for a fraction of that.

[Deleted User]

Cornucopia wrote: »

Now TV provides the main Sky services over the Internet for a fraction of that.

Agreed, but part of that £103 a month is the cost of internet and telephone.

In addition, Now TV is hardly cutting edge. It doesn't even have HD.

Cornucopia

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Agreed, but part of that £103 a month is the cost of internet and telephone.

They are offering bundles on Now TV now. I think their basic offer is £30pm for Fibre BB+Landline+Entertainment pass. ISTR it's only a 1 month rolling contract, too.

In addition, Now TV is hardly cutting edge. It doesn't even have HD.

I can see that most of the Entertainment content is SD, but I've also watched a few films, and some of them are very sharp. Are they "only" 720p or something? Westworld looked great, too.

[Deleted User]

Cornucopia wrote: »

They are offering bundles on Now TV now. I think their basic offer is £30pm for Fibre BB+Landline+Entertainment pass. ISTR it's only a 1 month rolling contract, too.

Probably ideal for the OP, to be honest.

Cornucopia wrote: »

I can see that most of the Entertainment content is SD, but I've also watched a few films, and some of them are very sharp. Are they "only" 720p or something? Westworld looked great, too.

Looks far better in High Definition!

Cornucopia

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Looks far better in High Definition!

I'm not sure my ageing eyes and ageing TV are up to it!

For me to go HD on Sky Atlantic would cost around £32 - the cost of Sky "Original Bundle" + a TV Licence. OTOH, it's only £3.17pm on my initial Now TV pass for the next 6 months.