Cancelling Sky.

[Louisa 69]

Hi i'm not sure which category to post this under so i appologise if i'm in the wrong category.

A friend at work wishes to cancel her sky tv package but has been told that she can't unsubscribe because it is in her ex husbands name. She is not on speaking terms with her ex and also he has moved away so it's not an option to ask him to contact them to cancel. Are Sky right to be refusing her for the reasons given ? and if so is there any way around this problem?

[Ethel]

Who is paying the bill? If she is, tell her to stop paying and send a letter explaining why she has cancelled.

As the account is in his name, I expect he is paying. If this is the case, there is nothing she can do, nor any reason why she should need to. She can simply stop using the service.

[Louisa 69]

Hi Ethel she's paying the monthly fee. She's called them a few times and explained the situation but they're having none of it. She did threaten to cancel the direct debit but was told it's in the contract that she needs to give 30 days notice or is still liable for the monthly fee.

[Mattk]

A friend of mine still lives with his dad and has a similar problem.Whenever he rings sky he has to give the phone to his dad who is asked for his identity and then gives the password and then hands the phone back to my friend!

[lady_p_gold]

I don't see how they can hold her to 30 days notice to cancel a direct debit and then say that she is not the named subscriber and can't cancel - they can't have it both ways.

[lady_p_gold]

I agree with Ethel just stop paying, although it would be courteous to send a note to the ex husband explaining the situation even if they are not on speaking terms.

[BenDToy]

Send them an email - the address is on their web site. They have no way of telling who sent the email. Just use the account number as a reference and send it "from" her husband. I cancelled my subscription that way because I refuse to call their rip off telephone numbers. The account was cancelled within 24 hours (they didn't even ask for the 30 day notice period).. They then automatically refunded the unused portion of my monthly payment. Much to my surprise it all went as well as it could have done!

[baileybird]

cancel the direct debit - if it is her ex's acc they will soon chase him

IT WORKS BOTH WAYS!!

[Louisa 69]

Thanks everyone for your answers, i'll pass on the advice to her.
I thought that myself, it's not on the fact she can't cancel because it in her Exs name but they're quite happy for her to keep paying even though she is not the account holder.
BenD Toy i'll mention to her about cancelling by E Mail it might be the only way around this.
Thanks again.

[Memore]

I had same problem with Sky my ex had it in his name and it wasnt until about 2 years after we split I realised and wanted it changed to my name as I had paid the direct debit for the whole period even when we were together - they wouldnt change the name or close it as not in my name even though I owned the property it was in - I did think about just cancelling the direct debit and even after having the account at the address for over 3 years I had to sign up for another 12 months or not have it - I had to email him and ask him to write to them to cancel it in his name and then had to open account as if I had never been with them before it is ridiculous

[Louisa 69]

Hi Memore it is ridiculous. I had big problems with them when i came to cancel my sky and it was in my name, i sometimes think they make it difficult for you so that you won't bother and just keep on paying. It really makes me angry because she now feels she can no longer afford it but they just don't give a damn.