Sky not cancelling contract

akkers

I have a relative who had signed up with Sky on a special 12month offer. After 10 months he had to leave the address due to to some urgent business. But he instructed the family to cancel the contract 1 month before 12 months were up; he ensured the direct debits went out for the full 12 months. The letter of cancellation was sent on his behalf (signed pp) but they apparently did not accept this; they wanted him to telephone them.

Anyway the service carried on past 12 months and they did not switch off. When he returned to UK, he telephoned them and asked why the contract had not been cancelled when a written letter had been sent. They refused to listen and said they were not going to switch off the service until outstanding amounts were paid (charge for month 13 plus other charges - for bounced direct debit?) He is being asked for around £100 before they will cancel and switch off the service and the charge will keep going up because they are refusing to terminate the service.

He is going to take this matter to his solicitors. But I find it amazing how Sky will not let go of customers and makes cancellation so difficult. Its sad state of affairs as we do not have a credible comptition to Sky.

Oakdene

akkers wrote: »

I have a relative who had signed up with Sky on a special 12month offer. After 10 months he had to leave the address due to to some urgent business. But he instructed the family to cancel the contract 1 month before 12 months were up; he ensured the direct debits went out for the full 12 months. The letter of cancellation was sent on his behalf (signed pp) but they apparently did not accept this; they wanted him to telephone them.

Anyway the service carried on past 12 months and they did not switch off. When he returned to UK, he telephoned them and asked why the contract had not been cancelled when a written letter had been sent. They refused to listen and said they were not going to switch off the service until outstanding amounts were paid (charge for month 13 plus other charges - for bounced direct debit?) He is being asked for around £100 before they will cancel and switch off the service and the charge will keep going up because they are refusing to terminate the service.

He is going to take this matter to his solicitors. But I find it amazing how Sky will not let go of customers and makes cancellation so difficult. Its sad state of affairs as we do not have a credible comptition to Sky.

Did he call them?

akkers

Yes he did call them upon his return which was month 13.

So now they want money for month 13 and other charges before they switch off.

Oakdene

akkers wrote: »

Yes he did call them upon his return which was month 13.

So now they want money for month 13 and other charges before they switch off.

A letter was sent which wasnt signed by the contract holder, they rejected this as a notice of termination & requested he call them direct. He didnt (until month 13 when the contract moves to a 30 day rolling) the service continued so he is responsible for the costs incurred.

akkers

But the letter was sent out to Sky. Although he did not sign it, he did authorise it and it was sent on his instructions. Surely, this will hold in court?

brewerdave

Bit of a grey area - might have been easier for someone to have forged his signature rather than pp - Sky wouldn't have had any way of checking .

akkers

I guess it would have been much better if he had that call to Sky before he left UK (but he was in a hurry).

But those sky idiots are really dumb. They know that the remaining people at that address were wanting to take out a contract so it would have been a continous income stream from the address. But now, with all this feet-dragging by Sky and unreasonable demands they have been put off and are looking at Virgin.

McKneff

Sky havent done anthing wrong.
The problem started with the relative not signing the letter (and by the way, wh didnt he sign it.

You mention Sky are dumb and ignorant....,,,,,mmmm
They arent, ive been with them 30 years and never had an issue,

akkers

I guess he did not sign it as he left the country in a hurry. I think he asked someone to write in a cancellation on his behalf (pp the letter).

Dumb they are, IMO. Because it is unlikely they are going to get paid by this guy; he is one mean dude and he will probably go all the way in courts. On the other hand if Sky had cancelled the contract, the other people would have continued it (or taken out a new contract) but sky would not have any of that. Thats a loss of income stream in anyone's bookand downright dumb. Get it?

McKneff

I love your optimism, but time will tell.

Tell him not to hold his breath.....

teddysmum

Court/solicitor costs are going to far outweigh the money disputed.


They are very likely to not have realised there was a forged signature used, but a pp for someone who is able is not acceptable, as notification is required from the account holder directly.


If you call, they are obliged to ask if you are the account holder, though it would be easy for someone of the same sex (even the opposite sex in some cases) to claim they are that person. (They couldn't, ,accept, 'No, but I'm his brother.'