Need to vent............

[The Truth]

First of all thank you to everyone who supported thetank at the weekend - absolutely brilliant display by all those involved 

Now my gripe.

On Saturday I will be in Luton for a P4C event. As usual at these events Game for Life will be awarding grants to local children's charities. A very worthy charity in the Luton area is Keech Cottage, which is a Children's Hospice for children with life limiting illnesses. In addition to the digital camera, photo printer and digital video camera which we have purchased to hand over on Saturday (happy to explain the importance of these items another time) another need was identified. The teenagers that use the facility currently do not have access to Sky TV. It may seem a bit of a luxury to some, however it cannot be too much to ask to have the same facilities in the hospice as one would have at home for these youngsters who will not see adult hood. Game for Life therefore agreed to look at taking out a Sky TV subscription for these youngsters.

What a task that has been and a real eyeopener! After two hours on the phone and after talking to six different people/departments I am not much closer to obtaining satelite TV for the kids at Keech Cottage. The difficulty is that as a charity is a 'business' in the eyes of SKY we do not qualify for the domestic rates. Currently domestic customers qualify for; free box, free dish, free installation and the first three months at just £15/month after which the subscription is £42.50/month. As a charity and therefore in the eyes of SKY a 'business' they don't want to give us that. No instead we have to apply to them for a concessionary rate of £60 / month but may have to pay for box, dish and installation HOWEVER, it was pointed out that we may not qualify for the concessionary rate and the cost would then raise to £210/month.

I have written the report they have requested and submitted it and hopefully we will qualify for the £60/month but I would much prefer to pay £42.50/month. If we do not qualify for the £60/month I will have to take the matter to the trustees to decide whether we can afford £210/month.

There we go, got it off my chest. Does anyone else think this situation is a bit off or do people think I should, as the people I spoke to on the phone kept saying 'see it from SKY's point of view?

Alternatively does anyone on the forum work for SKY and possibly advise me.

[Robert HM]

Is it worth telling the local rag for a bit of coverage, do it as a press release and send it to Sky first, might have the desired effect.

[The Truth]

Thanks Robert, was thinking along those lines. Just hope the local rag isn't owned by Mr Murdoch!

[turny]

absolutly disgusting sky should be ashamed of themselves!

id threaten them with local news and paper involvement theyd soon sort it out then!


i hope it works out and keep up your good work  

[TightEnd]

Sky is an extremely commerical organisation

By extremely commerical read...interested in profit

It is also an organisation where junior staff have no latitude to bend their rules

How high have you gone in the organisation? Have you contacted their department that deals with Social responsibility? I assume  a Murdoch company has one, but then again....

I have a few contacts there from my professional life, let me know if you need help that way

[Wardonkey]

You could also try talking to NTL. They might be more reasonable.

[The Truth]

Thanks Tighty - anything you can do I will be eternally gratefull (as usual for the five millionth time).

I have spoken to team leaders in the following departments; domestic sales, general customer services, commercial sales and the commercial sales charities division.

Not sure how far up the ladder they are but I have tried  

[The Truth]

You could also try talking to NTL. They might be more reasonable.

Thanks will checkout their site now - didn't even think of them

[RED-DOG]

When I first got Sky I had no landline and no fixed address, I had the box instaled in a friends house and then unplugged it and took it with me in my caravan as I traveled around.

I still have the same subscription do this day

[turny]

When I first got Sky I had no landline and no fixed address, I had the box instaled in a friends house and then unplugged it and took it with me in my caravan as I traveled around.

I still have the same subscription do this day

yeah and he still lives in a caravan 

[Royal Flush]

Yeah same thing with my Dad, he lives in Cyprus but you need a UK address, so its all registered here.

Although i think that its not a good idea to get involved in that....

[The Truth]

Can anyone please help me re: NTL?

I have been on the NTL site and inputed the postcode LU3 3NT and I keep getting an error message. PLEASE HELP.

Thanks in advance.

[RobS]

I like your chances better with trying to speak to someone in authority at Sky rather than consdering NTL as an option.

I hvae never experienced worse customer service than I did with NTL - they are a nightmare to get any sense from. If Sky are proving unhelpful about this matter then I don't think there is much hope with NTL.

You could try giving NTL a call, would be an experience at least........

[thetank]

Sod the satellite TV.

Have newmanseye go down there and tell them all about the hands he almost won.

They'll be hooked!

[londonpokergirl]

PM  Gripper,  on here,  he works at Sky and maybe able to help you