sky mobile swap is basically a scam

[Richard+LMT]

Wish I had accessed this site before I agreed to the swap.  My phone had been kept in a plastic cover for the two years that I had it and there was not a mark on it.  Like others I was promised £96 only to say there was 'additional damage' and this had been decreased to £48.  I have cancelled swap and it will be interesting to see just what damage thay are referring to when phone returned.  I would have returned new phone but can't do this within the 31 day period as we are now away on holiday.  Wish I had stayed with 3 phone.

[DanJBrown]

Agreed to a 'swap deal' exchanging my iPhone XR (pictured) for a iPhone 14. 

Received an email from Sky saying the value of my old phone had been reduced, due to unreported damage on the phone. 

Spoken with Sky who advised me that the 'screen was badly damaged/scratched'. 

Advised I was unwilling to agree to/complete the swap with the 50% reduction in value on my old phone. 

Received my old phone back in the post. 

These photos are of my old phone having been posted back to me, 'badly damaged'. 

Judge for yourself, but I won't be doing a swap deal again. 

[caesarome]

@DanJBrown 

Did they tell you that they were going to send your old phone back ?

Either way I would suggest registering a complaint, letting them know that you have pictures that clearly show that your phone is not damaged at all as others have had to fight this when they have been told similar previously and Sky are known to have relented.

[Malachy+Byrne]

When I had a similar problem late last year, one of the issues I had was that there was no mechanism to register a complaint with Sky Mobile. In other words Sky refused to accept that I had a complaint, and I was told that repeatedly by their call handlers. It was my word against theirs. Different for other Sky services, but not mobile. 

[Handymanphill]

I too have just been shafted by this scam. The only reason I went with Sky in the first place was because the phone and tariff were better priced than anyone else. Turns out there's a reason why their cheaper.

Sky - this is not right. I know its not a fortune, but you've literally halved the price of the swap. I wont be making this mistake again.

[taniamungo]

Same here, read this yesterday. Rang today to find out what the damage was and lo and behold "screen burn". Waiting for them to look into it. There is no screen burn on the phone at all, it is perfect. I told them I'd read about this scam and wanted it looked into. Sky are really going downhill, been with them for years and it's getting worse and worse.

[HS80]

I too have been taken for a ride with this. Needed a new phone as was having battery issues and was swayed to trade in old S20 fe for S22. Husband pays phone bill so was involved in the conversation and agrees as an early birthday present to upgrade me as after the trade in new phone would coat only £19 and I'd get Galaxy buds for free......so new phone arrives. We took pictures of old phone on suggestion of the sky agent to prove there was just wear and tear and no significant damage, and then sent old one back as directed. This morning old phone has been returned and I've discovered that Ingram Micro Services who received the phone have told sky that there is screen burn and guess what...yeah they've halved the trade in price. Sky were completely useless and just told hubby his choices were to pay up, send everything back, or sell old phone to pay the deficit. Incidentally I turned the old phone on and low and behold no screen burn that I can see. Have reported them to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice who have also advised us to go for breach of contract.....if anyone has had any success it would be good to know

[Ken+Burton]

Add me to the list. Got caught out a couple of years ago with the same thing but put it down to transit damage. Just sent back an S21 and they are claiming.... wait for it...... Screen Burn. Reduced from £300 to £150.

Having it sent back and I'll have it professionally assessed but I know it was fine when I sent it. Already made a complaint to Sky, Ombudsman next but have spoken to GB News who are interested in the story. Also loud and proud on socials.

With so many people affected by this, maybe all customers, I am going full throttle as I really have an issue with being turned over by a company that makes billions a year in profit.

[taniamungo]

I complained lots, told them it was a scam and got the full price. Keep at it folks! Strange also how the value is the amount left to pay off on your contract too! 

[Ken+Burton]

Well, that was interesting. Research and a chat to Samsung and apparently, the OLED screen is known for this Screen Burn. You only notice it on a pure white background or the RGB test using *#0*#.

Samsung cover this for two years, mine ran out in July so I am out of luck. So, Sky sold me a phone with a known issue, Samsung supplied a phone with a known issue and I am out of pocket.

The tiny burn on the phone cannot be seen under normal use, it's only on a white background, like the reset screen, that you can see it. It's the TikTok + button that is burned in.

I still feel cheated though, and no watch 6 arrived with my new Flip 5. Think I'll move my phones out of Sky on next contract change, I have a couple. And stop recommending Sky to others.

[AdeleB-P]

So I have been a sky customer for years and never had a problem. When I upgraded and was told about sky trade I thought great. Sent my phone in their packaging no problem. My quote gets lowered to 10% of the original quote due to 'screen damage'. Well there wasn't any damage when I sent it off in their packaging (wrapped in bubble wrap too may I add) i of course requested for it to be returned. What a waste of time. Utter scam 

[Geoff10]

I think, reading this feed, I am the latest of a long line of victims that have been drawn in by the sky mobile swap scam. My iPhone 12 ha s  spent all of its life in a case with no damage. My outstanding contract was £171 and this was my quote. A little lower than I expected, but acceptable for a hassle free upgrade. The revised quote is £85 which is an absolute joke. Swap rejected, new phone going back and contract not renewing next year. Also, sky tv is not what it was so this is also being cancelled after 30 years in favour of BT TV. It's only a drop in the ocean for sky, but my tv, broadband and phone equate to £150 a month. It's a shame that they make it impossible for you to speak to them, so e have to vent in forums like this 😡

[Thomas1105]

Same here sent a pristine iPhone 11 to Ingram after being quoted a trade in price of £146. It has been in a case and with screen protector from day one. 

It took 18 days from when I sent it and I only received £28.60 in my bank account. No email or explanation was given. Total scam. 

Another unhappy customer of 24 years with Sky. 

[Irate]

Yes this is a scam stealing from customers  I would call it.

Sent my phone back not even a scratch on screen

Sent it and package they sent and to make it more secure in transit put it in a padded cover.

Also returned it to factory settings .

Now they sent me an email telling me I'm only getting half the value as it was damaged 

Rubbish it wasn't 

[Simmo27]

I have also fallen for the "swap scam" .... I sent my phone back have received the quote email and yet sky are still charging me for the phone.  I have queried this and they have no record of receiving the phone, no record of any swap on my account and no record of sending a quote so therefore are still expecting me to pay for the phone.  It was on their advice I swap my phone as it had stopped working and they advised this would be the cheaper option and would also receive a newer phone. What a scam! I have been with sky for many years and have many products with them.  However I shall never be upgrading or swapping with them again! as soon as this contract is out Im heading back to my original provider!