Sky dumped, freeview question...

[Bob M.]

Today, after ten years of Sky, I dumped them and decided to go for Freeview. This was after they insisted that I guarantee their service engineer a parking place out side my house. Ridiculous!!!

Can anybody tell me, can I upgrade the Freeview to include T.C.M.? If I can't, then it looks like Cable. The young lad in Currys didn't have a clue! I purchased a cheapo (£20) freeview box to see what it's like, and I must say I am impressed. Good quality picture and sound, all I want in the tele.

My wife also wants Gems t.v.???

Thanks.

[julian_craster]

You will need to go for TOP UP TV

TopUp TV - Just Select And Play





You need a special Freeview Box with a card slot for this .....I think Argos does one...





The more expensive Freeview boxes have fewer drop outs in weak signal areas

[Carmel]

I bought a freeveiw box and before i bought one i checked was there a signal in my area and there was but when i got it home no signal, i was as mad as hell i was then told it is because my aereal is in my attic so i need to purchase another signal box at a cost of £45, so it didn't end up cheap for me although it will i suppose in the long run although im not getting rid of sky just yet, i put my freeveiw box in my bedroom.

[Aaryk Noctivagus]

name='Bob M.']The young lad in Currys didn't have a clue!

No no no. Whatever you do - do NOT shop at Curry's - they're a terrible firm. I shopped with them last December, and they've let me down very seriously, giving me a right run around - I've since learned they are known for their terrible customer after sale service. Drop them like a hot coal.

[Aaryk Noctivagus]

name='Bob M.']If I can't, then it looks like Cable.

Be careful with cable.



We started on with Cable with Nynex which was a really good experience. Then they changed hands to Cable and Wireless, which was an OK experience... then NTL took over which was an appauling experience... Apparently they even unnecessarilly cut through the BT lines when installing to our new (present) address, and left a load of their wires hanging out of the wall.



Virgin Media have now taken over... and apart from introducing a better STB, I am currently rather disappointed - though it must take a while to undo all the rubbish NTL put into the system.

[Bob M.]

Thanks all for your replies.

I must admit I was a bit loath to go to Currys, but it was them or Comet!

The box we have now is hooked up to our old ariel in the loft and works fine. But I am missing T.C.M. allready.

Before I try cable...

I feel a top up box coming on.



Thanks again all...

[ChristineCB]

While I'd rather hate to have vendors pop in here and spam us with their inherent greatness over all others, I love having Mediatheque come aboard from time to time to talk BFI issues with us.



This makes me think the Sky-Freeview-etc folks are missing their chance, too. They could probably (or might already!) set up their own forums except perhaps those end up as nothing but Bitch Sessions.



Well... when they produce trash and can't solve anything...



Mediatheque does BFI proud, post after post.

[Aaryk Noctivagus]

name='ChristineCB']This makes me think the Sky-Freeview-etc folks are missing their chance, too. They could probably (or might already!) set up their own forums except perhaps those end up as nothing but Bitch Sessions.

Are you being critical of me?

[ChristineCB]

No, I don't think so. What do you and customer service folks from Sky-Freeview-Cable (who might answer questions about their services and score good points, similar to Mediatheque's BFI posts) have to do with each other?

[samkydd]

name='Aaryk Noctivagus']Be careful with cable.



Virgin Media have now taken over... and apart from introducing a better STB, I am currently rather disappointed - though it must take a while to undo all the rubbish NTL put into the system.

I ditched cable when it was still NTL, but continued with broadband and the telephone through Virgin. A recent telephone fault required the engineer to come out, and he left an external connection point on the side of the house hanging in the breeze, and the cover not fitted correctly. Consequently every time it rained the telephone wouldn't work.



I've since been up a ladder and finished the job properly! As we are moving house in a few weeks I'm now deliberating over whether to continue with Virgin for telephone and broadband, or switch to BT who always seem to know what they're doing when it comes to maintenance and installation.

[Aaryk Noctivagus]

name='ChristineCB']What do you and customer service folks from Sky-Freeview-Cable... ...have to do with each other?

I'm on Cable. For the past few years this has been with NTL who were always far from helpful and their service repeatedly breaks down due to poor maintenance... so we had a lot of experience with their appauling customer service. This year they became Virgin Media, and I had high hopes... but movement seems slow.



Its a mine field out there. I think most would do better being with Freeview... however, we don't have an arial and our cable provides more than just the TV. I'm worried about approaching BT, because the NTL engineers seem to have sliced the BT cables even though they were nowhere near where the NTL cable comes in.



As for Currys... I've had to give up a fight with them, because the stress was affecting my health (I have RA and the stress was prompting a flare up - Autistics tend to suffer from stress at the best of times). I'm angry at myself for not being able to stand up to Currys tactics.

[Carmel]

Aarky i would write a letter of complaint to their customer service department and let them know how badly you have been treated by their company and tell them you would not recomend them to your friends that you will tell people about their poor customer service, see how quick they reply. Also go to your local fair trading standards office or give them a ring they will sort it out for you.

[Steve Crook]

name='Aaryk Noctivagus']I'm on Cable. For the past few years this has been with NTL who were always far from helpful and their service repeatedly breaks down due to poor maintenance... so we had a lot of experience with their appauling customer service. This year they became Virgin Media, and I had high hopes... but movement seems slow.



Its a mine field out there. I think most would do better being with Freeview... however, we don't have an arial and our cable provides more than just the TV. I'm worried about approaching BT, because the NTL engineers seem to have sliced the BT cables even though they were nowhere near where the NTL cable comes in.



As for Currys... I've had to give up a fight with them, because the stress was affecting my health (I have RA and the stress was prompting a flare up - Autistics tend to suffer from stress at the best of times). I'm angry at myself for not being able to stand up to Currys tactics.

I was on Telewest cable, and now they've been taken over by Virgin as well. Telewest used to give very good customer service both on the helpline and when engineers came on a visit. My few experiences with Virgin customer service don't bode well. But that could be due to teething problems as they take over the networks



I use cable for the TV, radio, phone & internet



Steve

[batman]

name='Carmel']Aarky i would write a letter of complaint to their customer service department and let them know how badly you have been treated by their company and tell them you would not recomend them to your friends that you will tell people about their poor customer service, see how quick they reply. Also go to your local fair trading standards office or give them a ring they will sort it out for you.

I had trouble with Currys a few years ago. The problem was easily solveable but the shop assistant was really ride and obnoxious. I had to walk away because i felt like hitting him, fortunately another assistant saw what happened, apologised and gave the name and address of the area manager. I wrote to her, got a full refund, and the rude one got a rollocking. I am dubious about using them again though.



Bats.

[Aaryk Noctivagus]

name='Carmel']Aarky i would write a letter of complaint to their customer service department and let them know how badly you have been treated by their company and tell them you would not recomend them to your friends that you will tell people about their poor customer service, see how quick they reply.

Consumer Direct and The CAB have both said we should write to Currys Head Office. However, for us its a question of engagement. My RA is affected by me getting stressed, and if we step ahead further in the fight my emotional engagement will gain more momentum. Being Autistic, I know about Autistic Inertia... whereby, although it is a struggle for me to get started on anything, it is also a struggle to let go - which would increase stress. Its a very real part of my Autism.



My Rheumatologist and I are currently reducing my medication for my RA... and the current stress with Currys has caused a minor flare up in my right hand. I know how I am, and I really am fearful of getting too stressed because of this. In a couple of days time, I reduce my medication again by one pill. The amount of medication I was on, was making me feel ill most of the time... I do not wish to go back to those levels of medication.



It really has gone as far as I feel able presently to take it. I know that is wimpish... but which is the more important. My health, or a minor fault in my expensive new TV screen. If I get too engaged, I know I'm not going to be able to let go... and I'll get very ill - which is what happened back in 2002.

[batman]

name='Aaryk Noctivagus']

I know that is wimpish... but which is the more important. My health, or a minor fault in my expensive new TV screen.

Look after your health dear boy ... after all, at the end of the day it's all we've got!



Bats.

[ChristineCB]

Oh well. No answer.

[Harleybloke]

We ditched NTL after DIRE service. Rubbish! Indian call centre? Yep! That's a winner!!



Anyway, went to SKY - much better service, Scottish call centre and cheaper than NTL by a third................BUT (Ain't there always a 'BUT')



Dopey here didn't read the small print.......................if you don't have cables all over your house connecting STBs to the 'phone for their bloody 'Call Back' they nail your sorry Butt for 3 x the Sky subscription rather than Multi-room.



It was there in the small print.



So a newly decorated house with cables everywhere? No chance!



Soooo stuck with them for the contract but hopefully by then Virgin will have sorted the crap that was NTL and I can switch back.........



Hey-ho, that's life!

[Aaryk Noctivagus]

name='ChristineCB']Oh well. No answer.

I responded to you, Christine... its on the first page of the thread

[ChristineCB]

name='Aaryk Noctivagus']I'm on Cable.

I don't understand how my post discussing how Customer Services Reps might use a forum (like Mediatheque offers helpful comments about BFI services), and how that can be construed as me criticizing you.



Honest - the leap of connecting You and Sky-Freeview-Etc Customer Service Reps never comes to mind.