Sky Mobile Con

eDicky

prowla said:

eDicky said:

pbartlett said:

have some sympathy with op - you call and tell them to close account, oh and by the way give me a pac, and they don't close the account....

it's not exactly intuitive....

But how could it be otherwise..? - a precious phone number could be lost if service is terminated before before the PAC is used. Therefore the PAC with its thirty day validity takes precedence over and eliminates any previous cancellation request. If the PAC is not used, and nothing further is heard from the customer, of course the service continues...

Why "of course"?

As for "how could it be otherwise..?"; one option would be for the account to be automatically closed if the PAC hasn't been taken up within its 30-day expiration.

It's called 'failsafe'. Anyone who obtains a PAC may subsequently change their mind about switching network, forget what they intended, or just life gets in the way for whatever reason. So the thirty days goes by.

Then, with your suggested option, suddenly their phone stops working. They have lost what is often a vital phone number, linked to banking and other commitments, and they are unable to make or receive what might be a lifesaving call or text message. No way - the service has to continue, it couldn't be otherwise and is probably mandated by Ofcom, every network having identical procedure.

PHK

eDicky said:

prowla said:

eDicky said:

pbartlett said:

have some sympathy with op - you call and tell them to close account, oh and by the way give me a pac, and they don't close the account....

it's not exactly intuitive....

But how could it be otherwise..? - a precious phone number could be lost if service is terminated before before the PAC is used. Therefore the PAC with its thirty day validity takes precedence over and eliminates any previous cancellation request. If the PAC is not used, and nothing further is heard from the customer, of course the service continues...

Why "of course"?

As for "how could it be otherwise..?"; one option would be for the account to be automatically closed if the PAC hasn't been taken up within its 30-day expiration.

It's called 'failsafe'. Anyone who obtains a PAC may subsequently change their mind about switching network, forget what they intended, or just life gets in the way for whatever reason. So the thirty days goes by.

Then, with your suggested option, suddenly their phone stops working. They have lost what is often a vital phone number, linked to banking and other commitments, and they are unable to make or receive what might be a lifesaving call or text message. No way - the service has to continue, it couldn't be otherwise and is probably mandated by Ofcom, every network having identical procedure.

I agree, it’s all in the number portability regulations. It’s not a con, just how it works for all providers. 

pbartlett

"It’s not a con, just how it works for all providers"

Agree totally, I just don't think it's well known that if you don't use the PAC your account closure request is ignored. The problem seems to be with not knowing what will happen rather than any disagreement with what happens as such.

Neil_Jones

pbartlett said:

"It’s not a con, just how it works for all providers"

Agree totally, I just don't think it's well known that if you don't use the PAC your account closure request is ignored. The problem seems to be with not knowing what will happen rather than any disagreement with what happens as such.

Unfortunately this is what causes a significant chunk of "problems" on web forums like these - the uninformed (by accident or otherwise) or those who don't read what they agree to and then wonder why things go wrong.  Most "problems" are nothing of the sort.

Anyway the "text to get a PAC" thing was introduced two years ago.  It's not a new thing.  PAC codes do expire (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5462147/can-you-use-a-pac-on-its-expiry-date is from 2016), they've always expired even when you had to phone up the provider to get them and they're just an option to start to get the ball rolling.  They do not and never have been a "I intend to leave" thing until you actually use it.  Much like looking at house advertisements in the front of estate agents doesn't automatically mean you're going to buy a house.

d123

Markloader said:

Is it just me but they always seem to be trying to con you out of money by devious methods or small print that was never clear from the start.

It’s not really in the small print, it’s quite plainly stated.

A PAC or STAC lasts for 30 days. If you don’t use it by then and you still want to switch providers, you’ll need to request a new one.

Cancelling your Sky Mobile service
Until you give your PAC or STAC to your new provider your services with us will carry on. Once you’ve given your code to them, your Sky Mobile services should cancel in 1-2 working days.

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/leaving-sky-mobile