Interesting Phone call from Sky

OldRio

I have been with Sky about 15 ish years. Basic package for herself. Occasionally I give Sky a call and try to get Sky Sports on the cheap when the Heineken Rugby starts. (Sometimes I succeed sometimes I don't)

I received a phone call from Sky today, first time ever. I was offered a new 2TB HD Box free of charge to replace our old Sky Plus box.
HD to cost 5euro a month for 12 months.

Great deal IMHO but the cynic in me says why ?

I have threatened to cancel on a number of occasions.
Maybe just maybe the Setanta/BT channels have threatened Skys dominance in sports and they made the offer to tie me up for another 12 months.

Curiouser and curiouser.

P.lane78

Sky are in the process of upgrading all the old SD boxes and the older Thomson HD boxes, this is to facilitate the introduction of new software which they need to tackle other illegal methods of watching Sky. You get a free box ...they get the opportunity to tighten up the system. Sky never award loyal customers with bonus offers without benefiting themselves.

Kristopherus

Go back to them and tell them you'll only accept the new box if they throw in Sky Sports free for the 12 months. Remember you are under no obligation to accept anything from them.

OldRio

Believe it. I tried.
No joy.

kooga

OldRio wrote: »

Believe it. I tried.
No joy.

cancel and sign up to BT Sports!

Colonial

P.lane78 wrote: »

Sky are in the process of upgrading all the old SD boxes and the older Thomson HD boxes, this is to facilitate the introduction of new software which they need to tackle other illegal methods of watching Sky. You get a free box ...they get the opportunity to tighten up the system. Sky never award loyal customers with bonus offers without benefiting themselves.

How can you substantiate that claim?

OldRio

Haha

Herself would not be happy, and if she is not happy what do you think my life would be like?

A TV of only sports. Wonderful. I can only dream.

Kristopherus

Colonial wrote: »

How can you substantiate that claim?

Thats well known already. Google it.:)

P.lane78

Colonial wrote: »

How can you substantiate that claim?

From 10 years personal experience with Sky, over the years I needed to replace my sky box. Every time I rang Sky for a replacement box they wanted 100 euro or they wanted to charge me a hefty call out charge. Remember I was paying Sky and Setanta over 115 a month for many years. Sky made it into a battle, resulting in myself the loyal customer having to go through the motions of cancellation to get the box replaced. From experience there is nothing free from Sky or given with a genuine heart to its existing and loyal customers. The emphasis is on deals for new customers. Thankfully after I focused on what I was really watching on Sky, I realised that it was mainly the FTA english channels, RTEs, Sky news and since I work weekends I missed most of the soccer anyway and the games I'm off for I have a 115 euro to watch it in the pub.

johntommy

P.lane78 wrote: »

From 10 years personal experience with Sky, over the years I needed to replace my sky box. Every time I rang Sky for a replacement box they wanted 100 euro or they wanted to charge me a hefty call out charge. Remember I was paying Sky and Setanta over 115 a month for many years. Sky made it into a battle, resulting in myself the loyal customer having to go through the motions of cancellation to get the box replaced. From experience there is nothing free from Sky or given with a genuine heart to its existing and loyal customers. The emphasis is on deals for new customers. Thankfully after I focused on what I was really watching on Sky, I realised that it was mainly the FTA english channels, RTEs, Sky news and since I work weekends I missed most of the soccer anyway and the games I'm off for I have a 115 euro to watch it in the pub.

Totally agree with you. Was with them for years paying for full package of about 100 euro. Cancelled movies and sports about 9 months ago. Wasn't offered any deals. The only reason I still pay for Sky is that my dad watches
At The Races and its not available on freesat.
They are ripping Irish consumers off big time.

OldRio

Agree, that's why I will have the new receiver and HD for 5 euro a month and then cancel the HD after 12 months.

Plenty of Sport to watch on terrestrial.
I find alternative ways to watch the Heineken Cup Rugby.

winston_1

The Sky offers are a once only loss leader to get new customers. They give away a box. Some time later YOUR box wears out. It is YOUR responsibility to replace it not Sky's. The fact you have been paying subs for years is irrevelvant, they are for the programmes not the hardware.

Would you expect your local garage to replace your car just because you had bought petrol and servicing there for years?

P.lane78

I'm sorry I feel your analogy is not relevant to the Sky situation. Firstly I cannot access the Sky services that the subscription pays for on another generic STB. I cannot purchase another brand or superior box on the open market and use it with Sky. This is Sky's prerogative in my opinion, but if your going to lock people into a closed hardware system that Sky choose to provide, then it should be heavily subsidised or free in my opinion. Without a working Sky box, the sub which is purchased is effectively useless. Secondly when I leave Sky with the STB that i legitimately bought off Sky they render it effectively useless for FTA stations reception through the awkward EPG set-up.When I purchase broadband for instance the ISP send out a modem, when that modem goes belly up I have the right to buy a new one from any manufacturer in a computer shop and continue to receive the service i have purchased. If I contact the ISP for a new free modem then they will provide one resulting in a new 12 month contract. In most IT solutions like broadband or mobile phones the service is separate to the hardware after the initial 12 or 18 month period. If the company stipulate propriety hardware it is normally provided free once you are an active subscriber.With Sky this is not the case, they want to control the hardware and sell you that hardware, which is effectively useless without an active sub.

Your car analogy is interesting I can pay for any model of car I want , pay for the petrol I need from any supplier and pay for servicing from any mechanic. If sky was a garage they would buy all the petrol in the country and only sell you petrol to people who buy sky cars. When your car breaks down and you cant afford a new car you still have to buy their inflated petrol every month. I for one am very happy to have left the Sky merry go round and alot of people I know are the same.

winston_1

A very well thought out and interesting reply.

I have not subscribed to Sky for years though I still have one of the old Sky boxes permanently tuned to BBC World News on 19E. They are not very user friendly as fta boxes but fixed on one channel in this way they are pretty stable.