Can#t cancel Broadband on a weekend

[BrendanCutler]

I can't tell if I'm losing my marbles but...

I have an 18 month contract for Broadband and Talk. I got the email recently that it's up for renewal on the 14/09/2024. 

I found an alternative provider and got on LiveChat to make sure my contract didn't automatically renew. I've been told that:
"...as 14/09/2024 and 15/09/2024 is a week end and sky do not cancel on week ends due to which the date 16/09/2024 is taken...as Openreach do not work on weekend due to which we are unable to cancel".

Huh?

As a result I'm being told that I'll move onto a rolling contract for those 2 days (charged at a higher rate mind you), and nothing can be done about it.

Is this normal? I'm giving 24 days notice that I want my contract to end on its given expiry date yet Sky are still getting 2 extra days of payment out of me?

[caesarome]

If you alternative supplier is also on the Openreach network then you don't need to cancel as you can sign up to them and that will take over the line and inform Sky that you are leaving.

If you do want to cancel prior to that date then you should be able to do so by giving Sky 14 days notice so you can do so prior to the date because if you were able to give notice on 14 Sept your broadband wouldn't be cancelled for another 2 weeks,

[BrendanCutler]

Sorry for the late reply, been a busy week!

I am moving to VirginMedia (not on Openreach) so I do have to cancel it. 

I got back in touch with Sky again this morning and they're doubling down, they will not cancel on a weekend and I have to pay for the extra 2 days of cover. In all my years of Broadband I've never come across this so I'm doubly confused.

The frustrating thing is I wouldn't even regard this a cancellation. I signed up to a minimum 18 month contract and that 18 months expires on the 14th September...I am just asking for it not to renew.

[jamesn123]

@BrendanCutler 

I would imagine its because Openreach dont work on domestic jobs over the weekend so Sky can't cancel your connection over a weekend.

[BrendanCutler]

Sure but why isn't that listed in my T&Cs anywhere? Why am I being penalised because of an issue between Sky and OpenReach? 

My contract is 18 months with Sky and it should end in the agreed upon date. 

[jamesn123]

@BrendanCutler 

No its your minimum term thats 18 months, not the contract. 

[Daniel0210]

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@BrendanCutler wrote:

My contract is 18 months with Sky and it should end in the agreed upon date. 

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@BrendanCutler 

The discounts end on the date in question (I'm not sure it's agreed upon as it's for a set period, in your case 18 months, but going forward it's 2 years). That can be at a weekend. 

[BrendanCutler]

Fair enough, you both got me there, it's not an 18 month contract I concede. 

But I maintain my T&Cs only ask me to give 14 days notice of the date I want to cancel, which I did.

I've served the minimum length of the contract and have 23 days notice to end it on said date, the fact that it's a weekend should be inconsequential so far as my contract with Sky goes. 

[jamesn123]

@BrendanCutler 

I am sure there would be a clause that says it has to be a working day within those 14 working days. Sky's argument would be that if the 14th day falls on a weekend then you should organise your cancellation for either the first working day before or after that date. They wouldnt charge you early termination fees if you ended it say 1-2 days early.

[Daniel0210]

@BrendanCutler 

I assume your new provider will install/activate on a weekday too.