Early Sky TV termination - Cost of Living crisis

in TV MoneySaving
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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.

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  • Neil_JonesNeil_Jones Forumite
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    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.
  • clecysteveclecysteve Forumite
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    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. 
  • brewerdavebrewerdave Forumite
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    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_lobsterflaneurs_lobster Forumite
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    Short of being able to cancel without penalty and just getting Freesat stuff it sounds like you did well there.
  • matelodavematelodave Forumite
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    I'd have said that a saving of £42 a month without penalty was a pretty good result.
    Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
  • clecysteveclecysteve Forumite
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    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_2Peter999_2 Forumite
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    Well done, that is a very good result.
  • Sebi_895Sebi_895 Forumite
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    Wow! Great result indeed. Very unlike Sky, maybe they've mellowed.
  • macmanmacman Forumite
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    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.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • clecysteveclecysteve Forumite
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    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.

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