Haggling with Sky?

robocode

I have read people saying they have been able to ask for better deals with sky, not paying extra for hd etc. I'm moving into a new house and want to get sky+ hd with sports. I haven't been a customer before though, is there anything I should be saying when I phone them up or is this 'haggling' I heard about an urban myth?

greendom

I'd let them know that you were seriously considering alternatives for your new house - looking at UPC very seriously as well as the possibilty of just going with freesat/Saorview

Lawros Tache

Just let you know my situation, i think it shows exactly how much "wiggle room" they actually have...

(one caveat however is that i actually DID want to leave so was taking them right to the maximum & if they called my bluff then it didn't actually matter cos i wasn't bluffing...)

Sky customer for 10 years but i dont think this matters one bit...

Me: Hi, i'd like to cancel

Sky: At present you're paying 33, we could do that for 30 per month (then proceeds to offer movies & sports for 6 months for free on top)

Me: No thanks, i'd like to leave

Sky: If we did it for 25 would that persuade you to stay?

Me: No thanks, i'd like to leave

Sky: Best we could go would be 20 per month for new 12 month contract

Me: No thanks, i'd like to leave

Sky: Hmmmm... cant go any lower than 20 per month but could do it at 20 per month plus once off cash payment of 50, so essentially you would be getting it for 16 per month?

Me: No thanks, i'd like to leave


So although every case is different, there's an awful lot of room for movement.

Overall i thought it was an excellent offer and the girl said she was literally closing accounts all day everyday so thats something to bear in mind.

Still left though

greendom

Lawros Tache wrote: »

Just let you know my situation, i think it shows exactly how much "wiggle room" they actually have...

(one caveat however is that i actually DID want to leave so was taking them right to the maximum & if they called my bluff then it didn't actually matter cos i wasn't bluffing...)

Sky customer for 10 years but i dont think this matters one bit...

Me: Hi, i'd like to cancel

Sky: At present you're paying 33, we could do that for 30 per month (then proceeds to offer movies & sports for 6 months for free on top)

Me: No thanks, i'd like to leave

Sky: If we did it for 25 would that persuade you to stay?

Me: No thanks, i'd like to leave

Sky: Best we could go would be 20 per month for new 12 month contract

Me: No thanks, i'd like to leave

Sky: Hmmmm... cant go any lower than 20 per month but could do it at 20 per month plus once off cash payment of 50, so essentially you would be getting it for 16 per month?

Me: No thanks, i'd like to leave


So although every case is different, there's an awful lot of room for movement.

Overall i thought it was an excellent offer and the girl said she was literally closing accounts all day everyday so thats something to bear in mind.

Still left though

So €16 a month with Sports and Movies free for 6 months ? That has to be the deal of the century :eek:

muffler

robocode wrote: »

I haven't been a customer before though

That eliminates and possibility of haggling. Anything you read on this forum and elsewhere including posts above is all about existing customers.

The best you can do is watch out for offers for new customers which are running steady but with the format of the offers changed every so often. On most offers you will probably get a free HD box and free installation or installed for €30. Perhaps you could also order online through Fatcheese and get money back - again these offers come and go.

robocode

That's some offer Lawros! Thanks for the input Muffler, I kind of assumed that would be the case but I thought I'd ask just in case any new customers had luck when joining

uck51js9zml2yt

I called to cancel on.
I was on €19 pm for entertainments extra but it had gone up to 27 when i took their free movies offer.

Its back to 19 , i have an engineer calling on monday to replace a faulty box and have 50 euro credit on my account with no contract.

recyclebin

My brother goes door to door trying to get people to sign up for Electricity Ireland. He is given a percentage he can offer the customer off the list price to try entice people to switch. They used to also offer one4all vouchers for customers if they switched.

I wonder do any of the sky reps that are going to door offer anything off the list price or give sports/movies free for a period for new signups?

Lawros Tache

greendom wrote: »

So €16 a month with Sports and Movies free for 6 months ? That has to be the deal of the century :eek:

Good deal alright, nearly made me change my mind

She came down to it fairly quickly too so i got the impression i wasn't the only one being made such an offer and the one tatranska outlines above is nearly there anyway.

You dont ask, you dont get i suppose....

Dinarius

We're currently with UPC for phone and broadband and with Sky for TV.

We're looking to bundle everything with one of them now that Sky are offering telephone and BB.

No idea which we should go for.

But, given that most people either buy phone minutes bundled nowadays, or don't pay at all for calls, that the Sky sales number should be a 0818 is, frankly, farcical. At the very least, they should be offering a landline alternative. Fail!

D.

greendom

Dinarius wrote: »

We're currently with UPC for phone and broadband and with Sky for TV.

We're looking to bundle everything with one of them now that Sky are offering telephone and BB.

No idea which we should go for.

But, given that most people either buy phone minutes bundled nowadays, or don't pay at all for calls, that the Sky sales number should be a 0818 is, frankly, farcical. At the very least, they should be offering a landline alternative. Fail!

D.

Once you join Sky Broadband and Talk, calls to that number are free

zefer

I called 2 weeks ago to cancel and was only offered my package (currently €33 a month) for €27 a month for 6 months and that was it. No half price movies/sports, nothing.

It didnt bother me as I was cancelling and didnt want to stay but just shows you, it depends on who you get on the other end of the phone

I've been with them 7 years as well..

Dinarius

greendom wrote: »

Once you join Sky Broadband and Talk, calls to that number are free

But, that's my point. You're paying to give them business. At least UPC offer a landline alternative.

Just spoke to UPC - 50mb BB, anytime/all world phone, tv with Sky sports/movies - €114 p/m

Currently with UPC for 25mb bb/anytime world phone - €47 p/m.

Our Sky tv is €83 on top of that, with sports & movies.

Bit concerned about Sky BB quality via Eircom phone line. It's interesting that they don't really trumpet speeds on their website.

Fast BB is essential for me as I work from home.

D.

bucks73

I'm with Sky for TV and currently paying €88 per month for entertainment, movies, sport and HD. Also with UPC for my 50MB broadband and phone which costs €44 per month giving a total of €132.00.

Taking a bundle with UPC for everything works out at €124.70 per month and you dont get some of the HD channels available to Sky customers.

I had been paying €50 per month for my Sky after getting a 6 month deal from them (with them 12 years and said I was cancelling) but they wouldnt extend it so will go back to them next month again and see what i can do. UPC on the other hand ring regularly with "deals" but offer nothing at all off their site prices so for me it will always be Sky for TV and UPC for the broadband.

Kristopherus

Dinarius wrote: »

But, that's my point. You're paying to give them business. At least UPC offer a landline alternative.

Just spoke to UPC - 50mb BB, anytime/all world phone, tv with Sky sports/movies - €114 p/m

Currently with UPC for 25mb bb/anytime world phone - €47 p/m.

Our Sky tv is €83 on top of that, with sports & movies.

Bit concerned about Sky BB quality via Eircom phone line. It's interesting that they don't really trumpet speeds on their website.

Fast BB is essential for me as I work from home.

D.

If you are depending on fast BB for work purposes, stay with UPC. They are miles ahead of the competition for BB.

Dinarius

bucks73 wrote: »

I'm with Sky for TV and currently paying €88 per month for entertainment, movies, sport and HD. Also with UPC for my 50MB broadband and phone which costs €44 per month giving a total of €132.00.

...so for me it will always be Sky for TV and UPC for the broadband.

I have the same as you (but pay €47 p/m to UPC) and would agree on the separation of services.

The problem is nearly €1100 for Sky. It's a lot of money before tax! :eek:

Considering switching off the tv for the summer and going back to them in the autumn.

Maybe I should consider Saorview.

D.

bucks73

Dinarius wrote: »

I have the same as you (but pay €47 p/m to UPC) and would agree on the separation of services.

The problem is nearly €1100 for Sky. It's a lot of money before tax! :eek:

Considering switching off the tv for the summer and going back to them in the autumn.

Maybe I should consider Saorview.

D.

Was thinking of doing the same myself seeing as they wouldn't extend the €50 deal I had. Maybe a couple of months of no money from me might prompt them to offer a similar deal.

dinneenp

I phoned up today, I'm currently with UPC.
She said the best she could offer me was
Sky entertainment package (basic)
Sky+ HD box
Free installation
1/2 price for 6 months (normally €27 pm).

I said that I've heard of people getting 1/2 price for a year. She said that's very rare, 1/2 price for 6 months is the best she can offer. I said thanks but no thanks.

Zardoz

dinneenp wrote: »

I said that I've heard of people getting 1/2 price for a year. She said that's very rare, 1/2 price for 6 months is the best she can offer. I said thanks but no thanks.

The deals offered by the retention dept a few years ago were far superior as one dealt with the Scottish call centre .
The retention dept is now in Ireland and the deals are much poorer.

The half price for 12 months is usually only offered to ex customers to lure them back.

robocode

Phoned sky and said I'm trying to decide between themselves and UPC, and that I'm looking at the entertainment package, sports package and hd. I was told the only 'deal' they would offer is €5 off the hd for 12 months.

dinneenp

robocode wrote: »

Phoned sky and said I'm trying to decide between themselves and UPC, and that I'm looking at the entertainment package, sports package and hd. I was told the only 'deal' they would offer is €5 off the hd for 12 months.

phone back! They offered me 1/2 price for 6 months without me haggling. I just asked can you offer me 1/2 price for a year, she said no I can offer 1/2 price for 6 months.

robocode

She was adamant, so I'm going to ring again after work and hopefully get someone else who gives a better deal!

muffler

dinneenp wrote: »

phone back! They offered me 1/2 price for 6 months without me haggling. I just asked can you offer me 1/2 price for a year, she said no I can offer 1/2 price for 6 months.

Are you currently a Sky subscriber?

dinneenp

muffler wrote: »

Are you currently a Sky subscriber?

No. I'm with UPC, said I was thikning of joining Sky.
She did say that the 6 months 1/2 price offer might be over in a few days but I presumed that she was just saying that.

Say to her if you can offer me 6 months 1/2 price I'll sign up on. otherwise I won't. (then ask her how you do like them apples?)

MACHEAD

I called them a couple of weeks ago to cancel the sports (soccer season finishing soon anyway). Told them it was too expensive and I rarely use it now anyway, so I'd like to cancel.

The agent told me I'd have to keep it on for the next month anyway as you have to give 30 days notice, I said I understand that, that's why I'm canceling now, before end of footy season.

Then he asked me if I would be interested in resuming the sports pack when the new footy season starts again, I said unlikely but I might consider it.

So he then said as a 'good will gesture' and to encourage to you consider taking the sports pack again next year we'll give you the movies + HD pack for free untill your current sports pack ends.

I think we might have watched a couple of the movies at most so far and there's another couple on the planner to be watched, but the movie pack is a complete waste of money in my view. However the HD does look tempting, I might just try and get a 'deal' on the HD pack next August, but have no intention of taking the sports again, simply can't afford it anymore.

snaps

its this sports sub that kills us. If only we could get the sports alone with out the basic sub

Kristopherus

snaps wrote: »

its this sports sub that kills us. If only we could get the sports alone with out the basic sub

If only................

And with Cyfra hiking up prices, the chances of getting reasonably-priced sport are diminishing rapidly:(.

robocode

Tried getting a deal again today, guess what? 6 months half-price! Delighted! Worth haggling, if they don't budge just try again!

howardmarks

Rang 2 or three times before my current half price deal ended. Wasnt offered anything. Only thing she could offer was to increase what i was paying. Strange one that. Anyway cancelled and sky turned off this week.
Dont see the point in ringing them again. Cost a fortune each time I rang from a mobile, being put on hold etc.
Guess its a luck of the draw thing

snaps

Kristopherus wrote: »

If only................

And with Cyfra hiking up prices, the chances of getting reasonably-priced sport are diminishing rapidly:(.

it seems that its only prepaid that's being hiked. Also the lack of canal+ sport via the multipaket sub we all used to get for about 150€. If you can pay monthly (I can) 119zl (28€) a month gets you the full package, including video on demand, HBO, etc etc.

soupdrinker

I've had no luck haggling with sky - in 5 years, I've just had 20% for the cost for 6 months - that's all I've ever managed to haggle with them!

Currently paying 70 per month for sky plus sports - no HD, no multiroom etc. Rang them to cancel sky as I couldn't afford the cost so they offered 25% reduction of 6 months. I asked them how much a sky hd box would cost (still have the old white box and would love the newer box for the larger recording space!) and was told it would be 249 euro - the only other way is 30 installation and 15 extra per month for the hd subs and I'd be locked in a 12 month contract - so for 6 months I;d be paying roughly what I'm paying now and then it would go to 85 euro!!!!!!

OH wont let me cancel as he loves his sports channel!!!!

Frustrating!!!!

greendom

soupdrinker wrote: »

I've had no luck haggling with sky - in 5 years, I've just had 20% for the cost for 6 months - that's all I've ever managed to haggle with them!

Currently paying 70 per month for sky plus sports - no HD, no multiroom etc. Rang them to cancel sky as I couldn't afford the cost so they offered 25% reduction of 6 months. I asked them how much a sky hd box would cost (still have the old white box and would love the newer box for the larger recording space!) and was told it would be 249 euro - the only other way is 30 installation and 15 extra per month for the hd subs and I'd be locked in a 12 month contract - so for 6 months I;d be paying roughly what I'm paying now and then it would go to 85 euro!!!!!!

OH wont let me cancel as he loves his sports channel!!!!

Frustrating!!!!

Call up and cancel. You have to give 30 days notice Wait for a call to entice you to say. If you don't get a call before the end of the cancellation call back and say you changed your mind.

Lawros Tache

greendom wrote: »

Call up and cancel. You have to give 30 days notice Wait for a call to entice you to say. If you don't get a call before the end of the cancellation call back and say you changed your mind.

+ 1 on this.

If you dont get a call, then let them disconnect you, then get your OH to call up and get connected as a new customer.
It doesn't matter if its the same address or even if he was with them before, he'll get a better deal.

uck51js9zml2yt

Lawros Tache wrote: »

+ 1 on this.

If you dont get a call, then let them disconnect you, then get your OH to call up and get connected as a new customer.
It doesn't matter if its the same address or even if he was with them before, he'll get a better deal.

called to cancel last week. Was kept at 19 pm. Got a new box and 50€ credit

kristian12

I called to cancel and was offered just €15 off my monthly €124 so said no go ahead and cancel. An hour later i phoned up to ask what my final bill would be and was offered the same package for €74 for 12months. So i know have Sky + and 3 multiroom boxes all with movies and sports for€50 a mnth less. Bargain:D:D

howardmarks

So I cancelled and got turned off. Rang back last night and got 6mths half price and 50 euro credit. Happy enough. Just proves a point If you get offered nothing like I did initially follow through with cancellation.
I got service turned back on in less than an hour of the call and they were much nicer as a returning customer.

Woodie40

howardmarks wrote: »

So I cancelled and got turned off. Rang back last night and got 6mths half price and 50 euro credit. Happy enough. Just proves a point If you get offered nothing like I did initially follow through with cancellation.
I got service turned back on in less than an hour of the call and they were much nicer as a returning customer.

That's fantastic, what did you say to get that discount?

Morrisseeee

I cancelled last year, actually cancelled.
I've had 4 or 5 calls from them since offering me everything from 6 to 9 to 12 months half price & credit aswell !!
So............moral of the story is..............cancel

howardmarks

Woodie40 wrote: »

That's fantastic, what did you say to get that discount?

Just asked what discounts were available. All You have to Do is ask

bhamsteve

If only the other bills were negotiable we'd be laughing. Might chance my arm with Electric Ireland.

Lady Chatterton

I rang to cancel my package today, I was paying approximately €48 per month and they offered me the same package for €32 per month and €50 credit on my account.

kaerobe

Rang to cancel last week.

Got offered 9 months half price, 50 euro credit and a 10euro call out to check a dodgy sky+ box.
Told them the box was on the fritz and wasnt willing to pay 199euro for Sky+HD or 209euro for 2tb box.

Ended the phonecall with 9 months half price, 12 months hd at 5e/pm, 50e credit and a 2tb box for 79euro.

I was impressed beyond belief. With that price Im happy to sign for 12 more months.