Sky- is this normal?

Eastofeden

Hey all,
There has been a problem with my sky for the last couple of weeks. The picture would go all blurry and it would make a screaching noise. It finally packed in today and now is says that no satellite signal is being recieved. I knew that it was the dish but i rang sky twice (both times getting through to a Scottish call centre and being charged crazy prices) and after multiple checks etc she said that they needed to send a technician out. I could have told her this before all the checks but thats neither here nor there. The thing is she said that there would be a call out charge of 100 euro. THis to me seems ridiculous as it is their equipment that is broken. I pay my monthly fee and expect a decent service in return. If there was a problem with an ESB pole outside my house I would not be expected to pay for whatever was wrong with it. HAs anyone else experienced this with Sky?? Is this normal?
ps sorry for the rant.

Mossy Monk

If you are not within the initial 12 month contract then the equipment is yours. Sky have no obligation to give you a free call out.

Eastofeden

looks like i'll be cancelling so. thats crazy IMO...

Mossy Monk

People have gotten free call outs when threatening to cancel so best of luck

Eastofeden

really? hopefully it'll be the same for me.
Thanks for ur replies.

watty

Actually the equipment is yours from day 1, but has a warranty.

They often but not always offer a free replacement box if you are cancelling because you can't afford to repair it. It may be a refurbished box, but usually a recent model.

Eastofeden

watty do u think it could be the box rather than the dish that is the problem? Its only 3 years old. But if thats the case my neighbour has a spare box from when he upgraded to sky+.

Eastofeden

result- i rang to tell them i was cancelling and they said that they'd send someone out thursday free of charge. i didnt think that they'd do that. it shows that it pays to not just lie down and accept such ridiculous charges. I'll definitely be speaking my mind about such things from here on in.

watty

It does sound like the box. Your card will work in another box except for any premium channels. If you have premium channels a phone call to sky with replacement box serial number sorts it. Applies to neighbour's old box or any box the Sky technician/installer brings.


However a 100 euro for a Call out is only reasonable.

Eastofeden

I tried the neighbours box and its still not working so its obviously the dish. I'd have to disagree with u watty. As i said earlier if there's a problem with telegraph wires etc then I dont have to pay for it. The same should go for sky and any other service provider but thats just my opinion.

kbell

Eastofeden wrote: »

I tried the neighbours box and its still not working so its obviously the dish. I'd have to disagree with u watty. As i said earlier if there's a problem with telegraph wires etc then I dont have to pay for it. The same should go for sky and any other service provider but thats just my opinion.

YOU own the equipment from day one with sky.
It's YOUR dish, cabling, box, f connectors, scart lead etc...
If its out of warranty then sky are under no obligation to repair, replace.
You pay monthly for your subscription to their service and that's all.
Your not renting/leasing equipment from them.
If your tv aerial fell from your roof would you ring RTE to complain just because you pay your tv licence???
Read the terms of your contract

greendom

Eastofeden wrote: »

I tried the neighbours box and its still not working so its obviously the dish. I'd have to disagree with u watty. As i said earlier if there's a problem with telegraph wires etc then I dont have to pay for it. The same should go for sky and any other service provider but thats just my opinion.

If there was a problem with Sky's satellite orbiting the earth, then you would not be expected to pay for it. Just like the ESB telegraph wire that is part of their infrastructure. The dish is yours just as the internal wires past the meter carrying electricity in your house are . You wouldn't expect ESB to pick up the tab to rewire your house would you?

netwhizkid

It sounds like the LNB to me; a €20 - €30 part or thereabouts if it is.

Capt'n Midnight

greendom wrote: »

If there was a problem with Sky's satellite orbiting the earth,

SKY don't own satellites. They rent space on them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SES_S.A.


If it's not the LNB you should be able to pick up a second hand sky box for less than €100

How much do plumbers charge for a callout these days ?

netwhizkid

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

How much do plumbers charge for a callout these days ?

Call outs of any kind are not cheap and I gave over 1100 notes to a plumber on Christmas eve (I always pay any outstanding debts that day weird huh?) far alot of work I had done. Sorry for ot.

greendom

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

SKY don't own satellites. They rent space on them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SES_S.A.




?

I think that's picking at hairs - you know the point I was trying to make