Sky tv no sat signal - cancellation dispute

Invincible17

I’ve had no satellite signal for a few weeks and engineer came out today. He says the cables need replacing however a few months ago I had the room redecorated and plastered and had all wires cables hidden and chopped into the wall so I don’t want new holes drilled in.
Spoke to sky and I have a year left on my contract so they say I can’t cancel even though I can’t watch any channels as they have provided a solution. Does anyone know where I stand or if I have any option to cancel? The only thing that they have told me is possible is reduce my package. It’s a bit frustrating as I’ve been with sky for 13 years and feel they aren’t offering much help, even paying half price while I can’t watch anything I could stomach.

The_Fat_Controller

If the cable needs replacing to restore service, then you'll have to accept their position.

You always have the option of watching via SKY GO over the internet for live TV.

cajef

Sky are quite happy to provide a solution by running new cables, it is not their problem that you have chosen to plaster them in ideally the cables should have been run in conduit or trunking before the walls were plastered so they could be accessible if there were problems.
 Sky are not going to channel cables in a wall the choice you have is either have cables surface mounted or pay to cancel your contract.

Neil_Jones

Invincible17 said:

I’ve had no satellite signal for a few weeks and engineer came out today. He says the cables need replacing however a few months ago I had the room redecorated and plastered and had all wires cables hidden and chopped into the wall so I don’t want new holes drilled in.
Spoke to sky and I have a year left on my contract so they say I can’t cancel even though I can’t watch any channels as they have provided a solution. Does anyone know where I stand or if I have any option to cancel? The only thing that they have told me is possible is reduce my package. It’s a bit frustrating as I’ve been with sky for 13 years and feel they aren’t offering much help, even paying half price while I can’t watch anything I could stomach.

So don't have new holes drilled then.  Let them run loose like most people do.  You can always tie them up yourself/hide them behind a sideboard or under the floor/carpet as appropriate.

Not Sky's fault your cables are damaged, how do you know you didn't cause said damage by chasing the cables into the wall?  If the problem only started after you did the replastering, that should have told you something.  Why should they let you cancel because of a situation you've (potentially) caused?

Their solution is new cables.  You've said no, and Sky only works with suitable cables.  Not entirely sure what else you think they can do for you.

Invincible17

Thanks for your help all. The cables have been damaged next to the dish so nothing to do with the replastering. The cables have rubbed on roof tiles and broke on what the engineer called a ‘botched job’ even though it was a sky engineer who installed it not 3rd party.
I can see from their point of view that they are offering a solution but don’t want the walls drilled through again. Looks like I’ll have to rely on catch up until my contract expires, thanks for comments. 👍🏻

littleboo

is it not possible to male a weather proof join between the new cable from the roof and the old cable in the wall?

QrizB

littleboo said:

is it not possible to male a weather proof join between the new cable from the roof and the old cable in the wall?

I was wondering that too; it's something an independent insdtaller might do, even if Sky themselves won't.

But then I also wondered if water had already leaked into the coaxial cable and that's why the entire run needs replacing?

neilmcl

There's nothing to stop you replacing a small section of the damaged cable where it connects to the dish and you can easily make the join waterproof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ooIXd9HguE&t=31s

The_Fat_Controller

If water has entered a vertical section and then found its way down, I would replace the whole cable run.

You need to get a competent engineer to assess the situation.

Invincible17

Thanks all for you helpful suggestions. I’ve been passed on a 3rd party engineers details who’s coming out next week to have a look and I will ask about replacing the damaged part of the cable where it has rubbed on roof tiles. 

james_smitha

if it is not to late Sky now have a no dish option, have you asked about this?