Unreasonable price increase

[grouseuk]

My bill is set to increase in February next year by nearly 20% despite none of my offers ending until July 2026. I've spoken to Sky support and they've told me that this is the "annual increase applied to all users". When I took my deal I agreed a fixed price for 24 months (until July '26) as shown by the live chat record below. Surely Sky cannot just choose to increase my bill without notifying me and without the option to exit? I think "you'll pay" and "the offer is for 24 months" mean that they've agreed to that price for that duration. "No Problem I will waived that for you and help you with the deal 🙂 Here is the deal :- Signature is normally £36.50, but you'll pay £20.50 (with an 24 -month contract) Including Price protection This offer is for 24 month Sky Sports in HD is normally £39, but you'll pay £22 (with an 24 -month contract) This offer is for 24 months Sky HD ,Ultra HD will be downgraded Boost to Netflix Premium with No Ads is normally £15.50, but you'll pay £7.50 . This offer is for 24 months It brings your total to £50.00 a month . Your offers will start today. A one-off admin fee of £00.00 will be added to your next bill. Is that fine?"

[2muchTV]

@grouseuk "... Is that fine?"

For myself, that is 1 reason why I have opted to leave Stream.

In contract price rises has been much discussed and Sky is operating within Ofcom rules re mid contract price rises. Further, Sky will not allow you to leave penalty free mid contract because of the price rises.

Sorry. 

The Now TV offering from Sky is better suited to me, rolling monthly contracts and/or shorter plans. 

[Daniel0210]

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@grouseuk wrote:
When I took my deal I agreed a fixed price for 24 months (until July '26)

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@grouseuk 

I think you've misunderstood. Sky rarely (if ever) do fixed prices for the duration of the 24 month deal. The annual price review, which almost always involves a price increase, affects all customers and in the UK  is in April. Customers are usually notified in advance by email nearer the time. You should have been subject to an increase already since agreeing the deal in 2024. 

[PandJ2020]

Something doesn't sound right.  As noted it's your discounts that are fixed, not your price.

What does the breakdown show in your bill as changing?

Checked mine and nothing is changing for February.  General increase doesn't normally show until March (for April).

My guess is one discount is set to expire before the rest?  (May be an error)

[caesarome]

@grouseuk 

The image up have uploaded can not be shown as you have not blanked out your account number so feel free to do this if you are intending on posting it on here.

[TimmyBGood]

Personally I think it's very naughty of Sky to use the phrase 'price protection' in this context, because it's wide-open to customer (mis)interpretation.

[grouseuk]

 

 Here's my January and February future bills for comparison, which show that the core price is increasing rather than discounts expiring. When I spoke to Sky she said it was the annual in-year increase and I'd get an email soon explaining the increases

[PandJ2020]

Well Signature is currently £40.50 (pre discount).

Your bill is showing £34.50 (for January) which afaik below list already and then the 'correct' price going forwards.  I don't think this is the annual price increase.

[peter+t20]

odd as mine is showing as £38.50 for signature and has been that price ( before discount since apr ie the annual price rise ) 

[Munich08]

I was not warned of the price increase even if my original contract expired.

This came as a unexpected financial shock.

[Daniel0210]

@Munich08 

If you are referring to your discounts ending you'd have been told the end date when you agreed to it. It's up to you really to make a note of it. 

[Munich08]

Daniel,

Can I get a better deal for the same services - SKY Q and Broadband?

[Daniel0210]

@Munich08 
If your discounted minimum term has ended or its ending soon the best new discounts are still normally acquired by contacting Sky and negotiating or potentially amending your package which will require a new 24 month minimum term contract.

Significant discounts are harder to come by these days so if you’re offered something acceptable be prepared to agree to it there and then because if you decide to think about it the offer is unlikely to be available when you call back. Also remember you’re not a new customer so don’t expect anything close to a new customer deal.

See this link…
https://www.sky.com/help/articles/change-your-package-2-t2#downgrade

If you decide it’s no longer value for money and you’re thinking of changing providers remember that in 18/24 months time you'll be in the same position with that company at which point you'll be able to return to Sky and benefit from the new customer discounts available at that particular time.

[Gwl1]

I received emails warning of forthcoming price rises so rang Sky. The agent suggested that I wait a few weeks then ring to "cancel" within the last month of the deal. I now pay less than my previous deal and have Netflix added so happy. The deal is better than any "new customer" deal I could find on comparison sites. Sky seem to reward customer loyalty bette than most.  Do your research, know what you want, what you're prepared to pay, be friendly, don't get angry, be polite.