In a right pickle, advice needed please.

june2rose

Hi, currently my package is as follows, it consists of phone and broadband with the post office, line paid for upfront at £183.37 ending on the 21/5/18 and premium broadband at £11.01.This is my second year with them as their line was the cheapest, unfortunately I did not realise when I first took up their broadband that it was for an 18 month contract which didn't match up with the phone, Doh! If I had realised that I would most probably not have used them so this year I've gone with them again as they were the cheapest paying upfront for the line but I've got caught with the broadband. I have had Sky TV for years and about 2 years ago I negotiated what I thought was a great price for my package in 2016 paying £17.37, keeping the same channels I've always had form the start but he gave me HD basic on top and I think he said he was giving me box sets access for the same money, great deal I thought as there was no contract just a rolling monthly deal that I could cancel at any time if I found I couldn't afford due to my financial situation so I could still keep Sky. So I thought but it appears that this was a special offer for 12 months which is rot, never told me but his word against mine and no mail confirming changes and 06/09/17 is the first notification on the message centre online telling me of a change, nothing before. I have found out that I am actually paying £30.45 for my package as it was a special 50% off offer which is or was not the case when I took up the offer otherwise I would have cancelled, asked for my sky to be placed in the darkness where the sun never shines. Since sept 2016 until the current due date of my next bill on the 23/01/2018 there have been 7 different charges to my account with no reason given to me explaining the different charges. Why?My reason for the lapse in concentration is because most of last year I was looking after my mum because of her health and from August until October I was caring for her 24/7 until her passing. Most things have taken a back seat until now and I'm gradually looking into many things that are not right and have a financial impact on my finances that require sorting and the wheels I've found turn very slow and customer service is wanting. Any way can I have some ideas as to what would be a better option for my phone, broadband and TV so I get a good deal and if you think there is something I can do to overcome Sky's might. I watched the program last week about this particular subject, but I'm still unsure what to do, I've still got 4 months line rental paid which would be another loss if I moved and I also use 1899 for all my calls to reduce cost which I do not want to loose the use of. Can I get some information regards who to best use to maximise savings please and any advice how I stand with Sky and their underhand deception giving me something without all the facts then altering the fence posts.

pramsay13

I haven't read through your post as it looks awfully complicated and difficult to follow.
If you edit it into easy to read paragraphs and take out any irrelevant information you might have more luck.

mac.d

june2rose wrote: »

Hi, currently my package is as follows, it consists of phone and broadband with the post office, line paid for upfront at £183.37 ending on the 21/5/18 and premium broadband at £11.01.

I have had Sky TV for years and about 2 years ago I negotiated what I thought was a great price for my package in 2016 paying £17.37, great deal I thought as there was no contract just a rolling monthly deal that I could cancel at any time. So I thought but it appears that this was a special offer for 12 months and 06/09/17 is the first notification on the message centre online telling me of a change. I have found out that I am actually paying £30.45 for my package as it was a special 50% off offer.

Since sept 2016 until the current due date of my next bill on the 23/01/2018 there have been 7 different charges to my account with no reason given to me explaining the different charges.

I've still got 4 months line rental paid which would be another loss if I moved and I also use 1899 for all my calls to reduce cost which I do not want to loose the use of. Can I get some information regards who to best use to maximise savings please and any advice how I stand with Sky and their underhand deception giving me something without all the facts then altering the fence posts.

With paragraphs and less information ;-)

Not sure exactly what you are asking re broadband, has your minimum 18-month term for the broadband deal expired, but you still have paid the line rental up to May?

Cheap deals for standard broadband & line rental can be had for £18-22 from the likes of Sky, Plusnet & Talk Talk. I've no idea if you can use the 1899 service on any or all of these lines.

You never get a monthly rolling contract on deals for broadband or tv packages (monthly, non-minimum term deals are usually more expensive). So if you are still in contract with Sky, you are stuck with them, if your minimum term is up, just ditch them and stick with freeview for TV. There's no way you can prove your deal was anything other than what they say it was, unless you got it confirmed on your original order in an email.

Bigphil1474

If you want the Sky channels and a monthly contract, the cheapest option is Now TV (Sky's streaming service). Either buy a Now TV box with some free passes, or see if any of your existing equipment has a Now TV app built in. You basically buy monthly passes for any of their 4 packages - entertainment, movies, sports, kids. They vary in price, but entertainment is about £7 a month and gives you access to about 15 channels plus box sets and catch up. If you are now out of contract with them, you can say bye bye. If not, you'll have to work out the cost of leaving, or stay until out of fixed term contract.
In terms of your phone and broadband - if I'm interpreting this correctly, you are tied in for another 10 months with PO as you had a 12 month line rental deal (ends in 4 months) and 18 month BB deal. You need to work out whether it is cheaper to ditch PO and take a hit on leaving early, or stay with them and pay extra for 6 months phone line after May. Factor in the cost of line rental at your new provider. Given you have paid line rental until May, can't see you saving much if you leave now - maybe in May.
I'm just leaving PlusNet - they have been good as a provider for me, although I have read some rants about them. I'm only leaving because my BB speed is too slow now, so going to Virgin as we have just had their cable service installed in our street. Otherwise, I'd probably have stayed at PN.

[Deleted User]

mac.d wrote: »

With paragraphs and less information ;-)
(Good job, shame the OP couldn't be bothered...)


You never get a monthly rolling contract on deals for broadband or tv packages (monthly, non-minimum term deals are usually more expensive).

Not true for Sky TV but probably correct regarding phone/BB. I've not long started a rolling 18 month Sky TV deal at 50% plus £25 credit.

mac.d

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

Not true for Sky TV but probably correct regarding phone/BB. I've not long started a rolling 18 month Sky TV deal at 50% plus £25 credit.

Ah cheers, didn't realise anyone would give you a deal price and allow you to walk away from it after just a month. Maybe Sky aren't quite so bad as I think.