Sky - some serious questions

I am constantly being bombarded by Sky phone calls and letters to take out a warranty on my stuff - sky box, dish, repairs an all that stuff.</p>

Although I think it's diabolical after paying &pound;38 a month that you should also pay that, that's not really the point. But I need a bit of guidance before deciding what to do.</p>

1) How reliable is Sky stuff, ie. is the skybox likely to break down at any time. For example, I think a new sky box is around the same price as a year's warranty isn't it? So if it does go I can just get me a new one for about the same price and ballax to it. And the dish looks pretty sound too. Do they get problems?</p>

2) I'm thinking of upgrading to sky+ anyway, and perhaps Sky broadband, so surely all that stuff will be new and covered for a year anyway, won't it?</p>

3) Do I really need an engineer call out if I need a new box?</p>

4) I like Sky but I'm not desperate to have it. I assume I can stop it off at any time should it go tits up, and just tell 'em to stuff it?</p>

Advice / pointers appreciated.</p>

 

No need for warrenty

You just have to play a game with them.

If you threaten to cancel if anything goes wrong then they bend over backwards to help you.

Our old sky box screwed up and they said we'd have to pay for a new one and for an engineer to fit it. When we said we wanted to cancel they gave us a sky plus box for free and for the same rent as before!

They have promised to their shareholders that they will increase their subscriptions and they don't look like reaching the target. Therefore, now is the time you can play a game with them.

 

1) I've had an ordinary box for a couple of years now, and its been okay. That said, if you go for Sky+, I have heard of people who have had numerous problems with them.

2) I understand you get 12 months warranty on the box

3) For a new box, they will send an engineer, just to make sure its the box at fault. I don't think you can get round that.

4) Can't say for certain, but if you sign a 12 month deal, they will try hard to make you stick to it.

 

Are you sure the people ringing are actually from Sky. Quite a lot of people selling warrenties give the impression that they are from Sky but aren't. See what they say if you say you don't have Sky which is what I did last time and not had a call since.

 

I had no end of problems with a new sky plus installation.

No "Satellite signal recieved" every 5 mins.

Rang Sky, unfortunately as out of warranty its a £60 call out fee, threatened to cancel, waived the fee.

Some cocky little ****** turned up and swapped the box even though I suggested it was probably a dish problem.

Next day same problems, another call to Sky and another argument about paying the £60 call out fee.

Another engineer came out, changed LNB and box, no problems since.

The moral of the story Sky have you by the ballax, threaten to cancel and they may just take you up on it.

Then you have a dodgy box and or dish and no viewing.

 

Don't do it!

When my Sky box packed up last year they insisted I'd have to pay &pound;65 for an engineer. As soon as I said &quot;no chance, I'll give notice to cancel&quot; they switched me to another department. I got a really snidey git, wanted to call me by my first name, offered me allsorts to stay. Tried to sell it as a virtue that they'd upgrade my box for nowt if I stayed.</p>

I told him I thought it was a disgrace that Sky would happily charge me 65 quid for a service they'd willingly give for free but only if I threatened to leave, and that because of their attitude I was going anyway. The mood changed completely. &quot;OK Mr ... if you insist...&quot; then started to diss Virgin. I hate that in anybody, trying to rubbish their competitors.
</p>

Went to Virgin and haven't regretted it. But the point is, if you play the game you won't pay for serevice calls.
</p>

 

My Sky+ box played up the other day, and after phoning technical support they said an engineer had to come out. Paid the £65 (tried the cancel thing and didn't get me anywhere). Engineer was in the property 5 minutes and had the problem fixed. He told me could have been done over phone, so phoned Sky and kicked off who quickly arranged a refund.

 

Don't do it...

..they're a bunch of robdogs.

if you do get it, read the small print - carefully.

and listen to the wording they use on the phone. it's all can and may, not will.

i used to work for (or rather on behalf of) sly, sorry, sky. yes, selling warranties - no, it wasn't pleasant, and as time went on, you realised the lies you were being told to tell people. wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. had telewest, now virgin, for about 5 years - never had a problem with them.

was on watchdog the week after i quit - wish i'd stayed on and got an extra fortnights pay for sitting around playing blockbusters on the whiteboard!!! skycare was shut down after that.