SKY being really uncompetative?

[Jakestar]

I've been with Sky for 3 years now, each year I've gone through the cancellation threat / re-negotiation and had a decent deal that was comparable to Virgin et al and as such stuck with them. I've Sky+HD Family pack, box sets, fibre broadband and phone. Standard price c. £77 per month. ON top of that I;d say we buy a movie every couple of months, not much, but still extra that Sky are getting instead of Amazon etc.

This time round I've found they have no interest in renegotiating, offering a mere 20% off the TV sub with no room to manoeuvre on line rental/broadband. I've called twice, spoke to 2 different people but both could offer anything competitive. As such I have cancelled today and I'm in the 31 day cooling off period.

Here's hoping they call back and I get a better deal (my expectation is in the £50-£55 range as per previous deal and inline with virgin big Khauna current deal over 12months). Mainly due to it being a faff to start afresh with Virgin!

Anyone else experienced similar recently? Am I just not a valuable customer for them? Is it likely they'll call back and try to persuade me to stay?!

[Pints]

I got something similar a while ago. A customer for over 7 years.
Was looking to leave. Offer to get me to stay? 1 month free.

That's just the way it is though. If you don't like it, we have the option of going elsewhere.

[Chris Stott]

I guess Sky have finally got wise (or bored) to people phoning every time they are approaching the end of their contract, and threatening to leave unless they get another deal.

They clearly believe their product is of higher value than the competition.

Personally, I'd happily pay extra to never have to use Virgin's TV services - though I would like their 200mb broadband.

[AndStilliRise]

£600 - £660 for sky for the year, plus the TV license fee getting close to 1k per year!

For me that is way too much, although the sports are awesome TBH.

[megaphone]

Personally I'd rather have the better Virgin BB, it's more important then the better Sky HD box, the Tivo from Virgin is still pretty good.

[megaphone]

AndStilliRise said:

£600 - £660 for sky for the year, plus the TV license fee getting close to 1k per year!

For me that is way too much, although the sports are awesome TBH.

TV Licence is only £145.

[Leicester Loyal]

Looking at swapping my BT infinity over to Virgin at the moment, the internet and phone comes to £30 cheaper a month! The internet speed will be a tad less, but as long as its over 30Mb it doesn't really matter.

Also looking at cancelling the Sky in July when my contract ends, that'll be another £50 a month saved.

[Rosscow]

Well... I've just gone back to Sky having left a year ago.

Full Sky TV package (family bundle, sports, movies & HD), along with anytime talk extra, unlimited fibre broadband and line rental PLUS a £50 credit on my account.

So £798.40 for the year - £66.50 per month. I'm happy with that. I'm currently paying nearly £60 a month for BT Infinity unlimited, line rental and anytime calls.

[Digitalize]

Never even been offered a deal when phoning up, so count yourself lucky. I think the problem is we're on the full package (well other than Q), £130 a month. We can't get Virgin, and arguably BT doesn't compare, especially on price. We don't have anywhere to go, and I'm fairly sure they know that.

[Rosscow]

Digitalize said:

Never even been offered a deal when phoning up, so count yourself lucky. I think the problem is we're on the full package (well other than Q), £130 a month. We can't get Virgin, and arguably BT doesn't compare, especially on price. We don't have anywhere to go, and I'm fairly sure they know that.

Well, you're in the same boat as we are.

We left, went with BT and have been using Netflix and Amazon.

You need to be willing to quit to be able to go back - that's when you'll get the best deals. Just ringing up and asking won't get you anywhere. Quit, go with BT for a year, and then the ball will be in your court.

Even after a few weeks they'll be calling offering you 50% off.

[Digitalize]

Rosscow said:

Well, you're in the same boat as we are.

We left, went with BT and have been using Netflix and Amazon.

You need to be willing to quit to be able to go back - that's when you'll get the best deals. Just ringing up and asking won't get you anywhere. Quit, go with BT for a year, and then the ball will be in your court.

Even after a few weeks they'll be calling offering you 50% off.

Main problem is I don't want to quit or put up with BT for a year, why I'm not too fussed. Yes it's too much money, but would I rather have another product? Nope.

[Rosscow]

Forgot to add - the previous 3 years we had with Sky (prior to leaving last year) were all at 50% off.

We were offered 50% off when we moved house 5 years ago, and every year since I would argue that unless they continue the 50% discount we would leave again.

It seems to me that unless you show a willingness to leave, they won't give you the decent offers.

[hairyben]

Chris Stott said:

Personally, I'd happily pay extra to never have to use Virgin's TV services - .

As someone self employed, an extra day spent at work every year but never having to deal with virgin stting media wins every time