21 years and the best they could offer was £41.00 for signature?!

[789qwerty123456]

I just want some advice on how best to tackle this - I have a few issues rolled into one.

I have been out of contract for 3 months, Sky did not contact me to tell me this and my DD went from £31.00 a month for Sky Signature (with free Paramount and Cinema) to £52.00 a month on Sky Q.  Tried to get a better deal - explained we did not need the Cinema etc.  and was told the best they could do - by two different agents - was £41.00 for Sky Signature!  After going through to cancellations, explaining that the extras were not needed etc....still £41.00 or £15.00 for the Freeview channels (excuse me?).  This resulted in me sadly cancelling.  

Now - I do not get Freeview here and the dish is a Sky Q dish (not freesat).  I am presuming that Sky will want their Sky Q box back - any ideas of how to actually watch TV here due to the monopoly that Sky now have me in?  I do not have a smart TV.

I am so angry with Sky and don't get me started on the cancellations team - clearly still enjoying his NY celebrations when I called.  Disgusting service.

[nigea99]

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@789qwerty123456 wrote:

I just want some advice on how best to tackle this - I have a few issues rolled into one.

I have been out of contract for 3 months, Sky did not contact me to tell me this and my DD went from £31.00 a month for Sky Signature (with free Paramount and Cinema) to £52.00 a month on Sky Q.  Tried to get a better deal - explained we did not need the Cinema etc.  and was told the best they could do - by two different agents - was £41.00 for Sky Signature!  After going through to cancellations, explaining that the extras were not needed etc....still £41.00 or £15.00 for the Freeview channels (excuse me?).  This resulted in me sadly cancelling.  

Now - I do not get Freeview here and the dish is a Sky Q dish (not freesat).  I am presuming that Sky will want their Sky Q box back - any ideas of how to actually watch TV here due to the monopoly that Sky now have me in?  I do not have a smart TV.

I am so angry with Sky and don't get me started on the cancellations team - clearly still enjoying his NY celebrations when I called.  Disgusting service.

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hi @789qwerty123456 

The dish or more to the point the electronic bit on it ( the LNB )  whilst it is set up for SKY Q & not usable by older Freesat equipment,  it can be used by the newer Freesat 4K boxes

As you have found SKY do not notify customers that their minimum contract period and thus any discounts end  this has always been the case  - although I believe OFCOM are trying to get this changed

[789qwerty123456]

Ok, thank you for this  - so I need a 4K new freesat box?

[nigea99]

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@789qwerty123456 wrote:

Ok, thank you for this  - so I need a 4K new freesat box?

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hi @789qwerty123456  as you are not happy with the SKY offering & if you can't get them to a cost you are happy with then, yes, I think this is, probably, your best solution.

You could get the LNB changed back from a 'Wideband' LNB to a 'Universal' LNB by a local Satellite installer and get any Freesat box  - but I think getting the newer 4K ones that work with either LNB  may be better.

BTW if you do get a Freesat 4K box, you need to be aware that often  they don't seem to work immediately and you may need to follow some simple steps (which may include leaving overnight) - if you need them we can point you at them in other discussions here  

[Mark39]

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@789qwerty123456 wrote:

Now - I do not get Freeview here and the dish is a Sky Q dish (not freesat).  I am presuming that Sky will want their Sky Q box back - any ideas of how to actually watch TV here due to the monopoly that Sky now have me in?  I do not have a smart TV.

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Yes, Sky will require you to return your Sky Q equipment if you no longer subscribe. The £15 Essentials package allows you to keep the box and watch and record the free to air channels. You might possibly be able to negotiate a lower charge.

As @nigea99 mentioned, the Sky Q LNB will only support the latest 4K Freesat receivers. You could get it changed to a standard LNB by a local installer which will give you the option of using a standard (cheaper) Freesat box.

Edited to add: apologies @nigea99 - was called away from my PC and missed your most recent post

[Laing1]

@789qwerty123456 unless im missing something here then £41 is a lot to be paying just for Sky Signature sounds like that has HD sub or something else packaged with it 

[MightyQuinn]

Please ignore. I see you want the freeview channels.

[mappion]

Seems Sky just want everybody to switch to Glass or Stream from Q. My existing Q contract ends towards the end of April with a 25% jump in price. Always in the past after a bit of negotiation Sky have always been willing to negotiate a new OK deal, but from reading numerous posts here, it seems those days have now gone. Personally therefore, come March if I cannot negotiate a new OK deal (I will try), I will be leaving Sky after about 25 years. Used to have Sky even when it was Bskyb, e.g. last century.

No way interested in Stream with no live TV recording and being totally dependant on an internet feed.

Fortunately I'm not reliant on a Satelite feed to get live TV, e.g. I can get freeview and as far as the Apps are concerned I never use the Sky box for these and always use those on the smart TV itself that are superior.

[oj01]

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@mappion wrote:

Seems Sky just want everybody to switch to Glass or Stream from Q. My existing Q contract ends towards the end of April with a 25% jump in price. Always in the past after a bit of negotiation Sky have always been willing to negotiate a new OK deal, but from reading numerous posts here, it seems those days have now gone. Personally therefore, come March if I cannot negotiate a new OK deal (I will try), I will be leaving Sky after about 25 years. Used to have Sky even when it was Bskyb, e.g. last century.

No way interested in Stream with no live TV recording and being totally dependant on an internet feed.

Fortunately I'm not reliant on a Satelite feed to get live TV, e.g. I can get freeview and as far as the Apps are concerned I never use the Sky box for these and always use those on the smart TV itself that are superior.

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Not at all. I recently re-contracted on my Sky+HD box without even a hint of them wanting me to switch to Sky Stream/Glass (or Sky Q) 

[mappion]

Hi @oj01 

Hope you are right, and I can get a deal. Will let you know what happens in a couple of months.

Of course with all these 'negotiations', it very much depends on the particular reps you end up talking to. Here's hoping.