Warning about Sky HD trial - it's not a trial, it's a rolling contract

[stoemsen]

When I renewed my Sky subscription, I was offered a free two month trial of Sky HD. Leaving aside the fact that it's ridiculous to charge for HD transmission or to still be broadcasting in standard definition(it's 2025!), I specifically asked if I could cancel the trial within the trial period without being charged. I was told yes.

I marked my calendar and called to cancel only to be told that I would be charged for a further month because I didn't call halfway through the trial to give 30 days notification. 

If it hadn't been such a trivial amount (1 month Sky HD), I would have asked for a transcript of the call as it formed the basis of the contract I agreed to.

I'd therefore advise anyone entering any kind of so-called trial with Sky to be very careful in regards to the terms and conditions. It is not a free trial, it is merely a discount on the first two months of a monthly rolling contract.

[PandJ2020]

Your overarching contract terms state that 31 days notice is required.

To avoid being charged you have to cancel 31 days prior to the end of the trial.  (So 1 month in)

[Daniel0210]

@stoemsen 

It's quite normal to have to give 31 days notice to cancel these offers. It's nothing new or sneaky. 

[caesarome]

@stoemsen 

If you agree to a one month trial then you do have to give the required notice at the same time, this isn't anything new has this has beem the case for many years so it is up to the user to know when to cancel.

[stoemsen]

The replies so far show a lack of knowledge on consumer law, which is pretty typical for Sky. The 'overarching contract' conflicts with the verbal agreement given during the call, now part of said contract entered into, which specifically stated that the 2 month (not 1 month) trial can be cancelled without charge during the trial period. 

It's irrelevant if this is nothing new. I agree that it isn't, Sky has always operated in this way. That doesn't make it legally sound. 

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[PandJ2020]

Yes, it can be cancelled during the trial period but you still have to give 31 days notice.  If the notice period exceeds the trial period the you are liable for the period past the trial.  Unless terms to the contrary were explicitly agreed.

I agree that the notice period should perhaps be made clearer but it's already in the agreed contract.  Sky could perhaps remind consumers of the implications of the notice period.

If you feel that aggrieved then get a transcript of the conversation via SAR and take further action.  Without knowing exactly what was said it's impossible to comment further whether the terms were overridden.

[Daniel0210]

"stated that the 2 month (not 1 month) trial can be cancelled wirthout charge during the trial period."

For example you cancel the trial 6 weeks into the 8 week trial. The 31 days notice will take you past the end of the free trial so you'll correctly be charged from the end of the 8th week to the end of the notice period. 

[stoemsen]

All these replies are missing the point that it is not a legally formed contract. The phone call forms part of the contract and the wrong information was given, this makes the contract void.
It's irrelevant if Sky have always done it like this or if it is normal for them to do so. It's still not legally sound.

If it wasn't such a trivial amount I'd have chellenged it more robustly but at least I can warn others. 

Therefore my warning about these so-called trials remains. 

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[PandJ2020]

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@stoemsen wrote:

Therefore my warning about these so-called trials remains. 

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Yes, it's fair to remind other customers of the terms of how to avoid being charged past the trial period.