Early Sky TV termination - Cost of Living crisis

clecysteve

Has anyone experience or advice as to how to speak to Sky TV regarding early termination of contract?  Whilst not wishing to invoke unnecessary sympathy, we are pensioners on a fixed income, with no real hope of increase until next March.  And no, we won't be cold in our home, and no, we won't be going hungry but when we agreed to an 18 month contract last December, Putin hadn't started his march on Ukraine and fuel prices and inflation were at, what now seems, very low levels.  We are looking at where we can save, and Sky is now looking like an expensive luxury.

Neil_Jones

clecysteve said:

Has anyone experience or advice as to how to speak to Sky TV regarding early termination of contract?  Whilst not wishing to invoke unnecessary sympathy, we are pensioners on a fixed income, with no real hope of increase until next March.  And no, we won't be cold in our home, and no, we won't be going hungry but when we agreed to an 18 month contract last December, Putin hadn't started his march on Ukraine and fuel prices and inflation were at, what now seems, very low levels.  We are looking at where we can save, and Sky is now looking like an expensive luxury.

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/charges-for-ending-your-sky-contract-early - "To end your ]Sky TV] contract, you’ll need to give us at least 31 days’ notice, which can’t end before your minimum term finishes"

Perils of agreeing to something for 18 months, which is normal for Sky anyway.

You could just ask about downgrading your package if you're paying for everything but the kitchen sink.

clecysteve

Thanks for the comments. I grasped the nettle and spoke to Sky (I'm guessing Customer Retentions). I was listened to and the Call Handler was not unsympathetic. I was offered TV Essentials package which is basically Freeview and nothing else for £15 per month from £57, without extending the contract. We will probably accept the offer. 

brewerdave

clecysteve said:

Thanks for the comments. I grasped the nettle and spoke to Sky (I'm guessing Customer Retentions). I was listened to and the Call Handler was not unsympathetic. I was offered TV Essentials package which is basically Freeview and nothing else for £15 per month from £57, without extending the contract. We will probably accept the offer. 

That is very surprising ! Normally Sky stick with their "rules" as I suspect the agents have heard every sob story under the Sun - but good luck to you !!

flaneurs_lobster

Short of being able to cancel without penalty and just getting Freesat stuff it sounds like you did well there.

matelodave

I'd have said that a saving of £42 a month without penalty was a pretty good result.

clecysteve

Contacted Sky this afternoon and they were good to their word. Package is now TV Essentials at £15 per month. Contract date as before, with the option of cancelling or extending as needed. Never made me feel demeaned by the request. I have to say a result I didn't really expect.

Peter999_2

Well done, that is a very good result.

Sebi_895

Wow! Great result indeed. Very unlike Sky, maybe they've mellowed.

macman

Done on 26th of the month: so it's possible that the call handler had already hit their monthly retention target and so was feeling generous. You will never know.

clecysteve

Contacted Sky this afternoon and they were good to their word. Package is now TV Essentials at £15 per month. Contract date as before, with the option of cancelling or extending as needed. Never made me feel demeaned by the request. I have to say a result I didn't really expect.