Sky TV price rises...

[ebikeerwidnes]

Just a note for anyone it might be valid for

apparently they can;t refuse to give you a landline if you don;t have a mobile - in case of emergencies like a power cut when you would be stuffed for contacting people if your only phone goes through the network - and the router is off!

Mostly applies to older people - but also people in remote areas

 

[sevenfourate]

I have been changing from Virgin to Sky every 18 months for at least 7 years, to get the new customers offer.
Previously I had been with Virgin for 25 years, their prices went up and up every year without room for negotiation.

I’m going to do the same. Been with Sky 24 years. Reckon I’m currently paying £30 a month more than someone starting a new; but same contract with them. Or what I can get with Virgin…..(Which is only recently available in our area).

At this point I’m sick of the way-above inflation mid term increases. Paying OTT as a long standing customer. And reasonably frequent Broadband drop-outs. Especially now that Fibre cable is an option.

At this point - and unless Sky can manage something drastically different and improved on all levels: it’s likely to be a short and one sided conversation come renewal time in April.

 

[sevenfourate]

^^^Wound me up talking about it now. I’m asking Sky about the very earliest I can cancel free of charge with no penalties. I suspect they’ll show no interest and tell me to call back in April when contract ends. That’s fine - and would at least confirm their money grabbing attitude……

 

[Drago]

Sounds to me that if it keeps dropping out you're not getting the service you're paying for, that puts them in breach of contract.

 

[sevenfourate]

Sounds to me that if it keeps dropping out you're not getting the service you're paying for, that puts them in breach of contract.

Fair point !

 

[classic33]

EE are entering the market with their own, formerly BT TV. Another option that might work for some.

 

[sevenfourate]

EE are entering the market with their own, formerly BT TV. Another option that might work for some.

I’ve just investigated EE - thanks. Another I can get a same or better overall package with compared to Sky - and save £30 a month minimum.

Means I can 100% be as ruthless as I choose with my demands to Sky: knowing full well there’s multiple back-up options

Ironically - with EE, Virgin and I’m sure others - they would supply me, internet and multiple Sky Tv channels, inc Sky Sports - cheaper than I can get direct from Sky 😡 HTAF does that work……

 

[newts]

We've been with Virgin for many years, usually had to stick to the 'We're leaving' & take it to the deadline to get the best discounts.
A few months ago the current contract was about to expire & a message appeared onscreen when the tv box booted with a scan code for a new discounted rate that matched the 'new customer' deals. It dropped our monthly bill by 25% without all the hassle, this appeared to be to good to be true but I logged into the account & all was sorted in a few minutes.

 

[wiggydiggy]

they keep doing that with my mother... but she doesn't get offered any more than a 5 or 10 pound discount on the new inflated price... and moving to a new provider appears to mean losing her landline, which she doesn't want to lose.

Just a note for anyone it might be valid for

apparently they can;t refuse to give you a landline if you don;t have a mobile - in case of emergencies like a power cut when you would be stuffed for contacting people if your only phone goes through the network - and the router is off!

Mostly applies to older people - but also people in remote areas

Yes landlines are on the way out, BT call it 'Digital Voice' and though you can get an adaptor when you switch so your existing handset will stick work its not the same as a traditional landline e.g. it requires power and the internet to work. If you have medical or other reasons you can request a battery backup that will give power in a power cut.

Bit more info here: https://www.bt.com/help/landline/di...igital Voice phone or existing corded handset.

 

[gbb]

Sounds to me that if it keeps dropping out you're not getting the service you're paying for, that puts them in breach of contract.

I remember Virgin having something in place where if your service was interrupted for more than x time, they'd refund you a certain amount.
Trouble is, it was rare (if ever) the outage was long enough to allow you to qualify (wide goalposts)...and didn't help anyway with the small outages slow internet etc.
In other words...a meaningless gesture that did nothing to improve the service or reduce your annoyance with them

 

[sevenfourate]

To folow this up - and me thinking about my Sky TV subscription after seeing this post. So i then checked on Virgin Media website for availability in my area. And cost. And then saw i was in contract with Sky until April 2025.

Lo and behold; 2 days later phone goes - its Virgin following up the fact they'd seen i'd been on their website. I then tell him "Yes - i would be interested" but i'm still in contract with Sky. No issue he replies back - we'll pay that off for you if you want to come across with us.

Longshot is i had a very basic Sky TV package. And about if not the best Broadband available in my area (I get an actual speed of approx 160Mbps), with an extra paid for boost, phone line rental (Which you can't not have) - and my current monthly DD is £78.

With Virgin i'll be on a better TV package (With more SKY channels......WTF !!!) and going onto Fibre with them too. I'll be on the best they can provide: 1000Mbps / 1 Gig - which should see a minimum of around 600Mbps. And i dont have to pay for a landline.

Cost is now £41 a month for 18 month contract compared to the £78 with Sky. Or £37 a month saving. And for better products all round. And fingers crossed no drop-outs. Sky never even bothered to ring me or beg me to come back. After 24 years with them without so much as one missed payment. I'm guessing they know their beaten..........