Early contract termination

[DuncanF]

I've been a sky tv customer for over 18 years. Every 2 years my contract has been renewed as the only way to keep costs down, with my current contract due to end next November. However, I'm unhappy with the service and want to terminate the contract now, but Sky are telling me I'm unable to do so before the contract finishes. I've not seen anything online confirming this and indeed see many postings about early termination fees. Am I being told the right thing?

[BenJoBanjo]

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@DuncanF wrote:

I've been a sky tv customer for over 18 years. Every 2 years my contract has been renewed as the only way to keep costs down, with my current contract due to end next November. However, I'm unhappy with the service and want to terminate the contract now, but Sky are telling me I'm unable to do so before the contract finishes. I've not seen anything online confirming this and indeed see many postings about early termination fees. Am I being told the right thing?

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In what way are you unhappy with the service? Is it failing on a technical level or is that you just don't like it?

If you have continual technical issue which you or Sky cannot rectify then they will let you end streaming contracts early, penalty free. This is because there are so many variables with individual customers' broadband networks that are outwith Sky's control. 

You will need to follow Sky's troubleshooting first, and only after you have followed their advice and the service doesn't improve, will they allow you to leave early. 

If, on the other hand, the service works and you just don't like it, then I'm afraid they can hold you to the contract. You would need to have cancelled within the cooling off period in order to end the contract you initially agreed to. 

[MightyQuinn]

Hi @DuncanF   Which services? 

[PandJ2020]

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@DuncanF wrote:

I've not seen anything online confirming this...

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The terms are in the contract about cancellation.  If it's Sky Q then it explicitly states you cannot cancel during the minimum term (unless Sky agree to it).

[DuncanF · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the responses. It is Sky Q so looks like I'm going to be stuck with it for another year. The technical issue will be resolved (the hard drive broke), but it's more the services I originally signed up for are no longer provided (eg Eurosport, new (non sky original) films on Cinema. With sky also moving away from the sky q service and towards more of a consolidator service, it doesn't make sense to invest in this any longer

[PandJ2020]

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@DuncanF wrote:

The technical issue will be resolved (the hard drive broke)

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Hard drives fail - the box will be replaced f.o.c.  Sky may even consider a credit for the period of loss if asked.

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but it's more the services I originally signed up for are no longer provided (eg Eurosport, new (non sky original) films on Cinema. With sky also moving away from the sky q service and towards more of a consolidator service, it doesn't make sense to invest in this any longer

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The Eurosport change has been covered in great detail on the forum but it was the owners that moved to a charging model.  And all such changes are covered by the contract.  However, I believe there have been reports that some have argued for a release from the minimum term due to the changes.  However, this change was many months ago so the argument is probably weak now.