Cancelled Sky Q - Do they have to have the box back?

steph2901

I have decided to cancel Sky Q and use Freesat instead as couldn't justify spending £76 a month for TV, but they have asked for the box back.  Is this correct?  I thought that when you take out Sky Q you pay a fee for the box at the start?

They have sent me packaging to send it back, but just wondering if anyone ever does send them back?  I was hoping to use it still as a Freesat box, but if I have to buy one then I will.

[Deleted User]

The box belongs to them so you need to return it.

You can choose not to, but they can charge you a non return fee, so work out if it's worth it for a second hand box.

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/charges-for-not-returning-sky-q-equipment

steph2901

Thanks for the reply, I will be sending it back then  
I had an old Sky box years ago and was never asked for that back when I cancelled, so assumed it would be the same now, but obviously not.

unforeseen

You will probably need to change your LNB as the Sky Q LNB works in a different way to the standard Sky/Freesat one

phillw

steph2901 said:

Thanks for the reply, I will be sending it back then  
I had an old Sky box years ago and was never asked for that back when I cancelled, so assumed it would be the same now, but obviously not.

When you own the sky box then you have to pay to get it repaired or replaced if it goes wrong. This would not be in Sky's interest as they are more likely to lose customers. They do mention it quite a lot on their web site
We will loan you one Sky Q box, one Sky Q Mini and any other relevant kit, for no cost, for the time you have a Sky TV subscription.
and
Set-up: £20. Sky Q kit loaned to you at no cost & must be returned at end of your subscription.

brewerdave

unforeseen said:

You will probably need to change your LNB as the Sky Q LNB works in a different way to the standard Sky/Freesat one

Is that still true? Are there no Freesat boxes that will use the Q LNB?

[Deleted User]

brewerdave said:

 Are there no Freesat boxes that will use the Q LNB?

Why would there be? Freesat does not have Sky Q functionality..

brewerdave

Moneyineptitude said:

brewerdave said:

 Are there no Freesat boxes that will use the Q LNB?

Why would there be? Freesat does not have Sky Q functionality..

Just thought that many people have been seduced into upgrading to Q and then decide its too expensive, HAVE to send the box back - so there is a growing gap in the market for a Freesat box that can use the Q LNB ?

steph2901

unforeseen said:

You will probably need to change your LNB as the Sky Q LNB works in a different way to the standard Sky/Freesat one

What is that? Can you not just use a standard Freesat box with the dish that's there already?

neilmcl

steph2901 said:

unforeseen said:

You will probably need to change your LNB as the Sky Q LNB works in a different way to the standard Sky/Freesat one

What is that? Can you not just use a standard Freesat box with the dish that's there already?

No, as has been explained the satellite dish's LNB (the module that sits on the arm of the dish) can only be used for the Sky Q service signal and won't work with a standard sky or freesat signal. Having said that, Sky have been installing hybrid LNBs that will work with both so you may be lucky and not have to change it after all.

[Deleted User]

brewerdave said:

 there is a growing gap in the market for a Freesat box that can use the Q LNB ?

As I said, the Sky Q has functionality which is not replicated by any Freesat decoder and that situation is very unlikely to change. 

Most Freesat users are not simply ex-Sky subscribers  with old sky dishes..