Hello everybody. A quick question as smoke comes from my sky+box.

[andrewf]

Hello everybody. Hope all is well.

I just have a quick question as I have tonight had smoke coming from my sky+ box

I only get the budget sky package. I am out of contract with Sky. Sky want silly money for a new box or upgrade to HD deals, so have been looking at alternatives. (limited due to location)


Talk Talk seem to offer a good comparable package, reducing the tv channels, but with a faster internet,

When it comes down to filling in the forms, they specify a credit check will be carried out and I must provide my home address for the last 3 years... :-0.

Anyone been down this road? I have an IVA... Am I just going to get the 2 fingered solute?
Maybe not best applying in my name, and ask a family member without an IVA to apply?

Being limited to choice talk talk offer by far the cheapest deal. I am scared that by myself trying and being rejected, will stop an another family member from applying for the same thing, and end up having nothing or a very high priced subscription. (the only family I could ask to do this doesn't know about my IVA, and I am reluctant to reveal my shame)

any advice appreciated...

[UpToMyNeckInIt]

Just get a second hand box from cash converters or ebay.

Then phone sky to pair your viewing card with the new box.

You will save a fortune.

[andrewf]

Great minds think alike...

Thought of that already, looked on ebay an the likes and can get a second hand box for 20-30 (how long will it last?). But looking at the subscription charges through sky, I think I might be better changing anyway..

my wife watches most of the telly, so I am not bothered about loosing a few channels. .

I do like the idea of fibre internet to help the families increased Wi-Fi demand post Christmas though, and hope to hear from someone on an IVA that have applied through talk talk recently, to give me some advice.

[martinw]

font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:<hr height="1" noshade>Originally posted by andrewf

Hello everybody. Hope all is well.

I just have a quick question as I have tonight had smoke coming from my sky+ box

I only get the budget sky package. I am out of contract with Sky. Sky want silly money for a new box or upgrade to HD deals, so have been looking at alternatives. (limited due to location)


Talk Talk seem to offer a good comparable package, reducing the tv channels, but with a faster internet,

When it comes down to filling in the forms, they specify a credit check will be carried out and I must provide my home address for the last 3 years... :-0.

Anyone been down this road? I have an IVA... Am I just going to get the 2 fingered solute?
Maybe not best applying in my name, and ask a family member without an IVA to apply?

Being limited to choice talk talk offer by far the cheapest deal. I am scared that by myself trying and being rejected, will stop an another family member from applying for the same thing, and end up having nothing or a very high priced subscription. (the only family I could ask to do this doesn't know about my IVA, and I am reluctant to reveal my shame)

any advice appreciated...

Assuming you are out of contract, ring them and tell them you want to leave. They'll ask why and say financial difficulty's and I got 25% off if you say our box is broken they'll probably give you a discounted/free engineers visit. They key is they must think you are prepared to leave

Martin

[andrewf]

Your right martin.

Its hard trying to speak to someone in India who couldn't give a toss. But guess I should try harder. I have been thinking about trying to find one of them stands in the shopping centres, and putting it to them? not sure what the best way is?

[martinw]

font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:<hr height="1" noshade>Originally posted by andrewf

Your right martin.

Its hard trying to speak to someone in India who couldn't give a toss. But guess I should try harder. I have been thinking about trying to find one of them stands in the shopping centres, and putting it to them? not sure what the best way is?

Ring up sky (i used 020 7126 7020 because t's cheaper than the 0870)and say you want to cancel, they put you through to the retentions department who will try and keep you.

Belive me as soon as you say you wat to cancel you get transferred to a much more flexable and caring team. I've had 25% off since June/July and just renewed it until next December at 25% off

Martin

[Grayson.sc]

I went through this exact trauma 6 months ago. I rang up to cancel and was offered all sorts of discounts but they wouldn't budge on the repair/new box costs. Sky are now hounding me for a £42 early cancellation fee of which I will not pay as I never agreed to a new 12 month contract like they say I did. Be very aware of what you agree to. I am now with virgin which in my humble opinion is much better and cheaper.

[martinw]

[quOriginally posted by Grayson.sc[/i]

I went through this exact trauma 6 months ago. I rang up to cancel and was offered all sorts of discounts but they wouldn't budge on the repair/new box costs. Sky are now hounding me for a £42 early cancellation fee of which I will not pay as I never agreed to a new 12 month contract like they say I did. Be very aware of what you agree to. I am now with virgin which in my humble opinion is much better and cheaper.
[/quote]

I suppose it all depends what offers they have, which will change from time to time. I think it also depends on your level of spend and how long you've been with them

As grayson says though got know what your agreeing to and be prepared to stick to your guns

Martin

[Skippy]

Virgin's customer service is also poor in my opinion! The only good thing about them is, unlike Sky, you only rent the box from them and therefore they will fix it.

I admit I didn't know that Sky has Indian call centres as we've only ever got through to their Scottish one. Talk Talk has Indian call centres though...

[kev59]

I believe I have a old sky box in the loft, if you ask a mod for my email address I will post it for cost of postage.

[luluj]

Nice offer kev59.

Admin will need to oblige if OP agrees to swap of email addresses

[andrewf]

thanks all for your help and a big thank to you Kev for your offer.

At work this morning I was talking to a friend telling him of the sky box drama I was having, and he told me his sister in law worked for sky and could always get good deals through her.

She pulled out a 'unique voucher code' for me, I am now getting a new box (hd) Free. I have been upgraded from the entertainment package to entertainment extra plus, at half price for 12 months!!

I cant believe it, getting more and paying slightly less!! I am glad it caught fire now.

apparently if you work for sky, every year you get a book of unique special offer codes, (most are only for new customers, but there are ones for upgrades).

I cant wait to watch the queens speech this year in HD,

Thanks again everyone for your help.

[andrewf]

By the way, I take on board what you say about virgin, think I would have gone to them for a new fresh package at a lower cost but they don't cover my area.

[Skippy]

Great news Andrew!