Martin Lewis issues warning to Sky customers amid potential price hikes
Martin Lewis has issued a warning to Sky customers over the 'legal way to leave' the network, with new Ofcom rules that mean you can exit a contract penalty-free
Martin Lewis tells Sky customers to check for impending price hikes in his latest podcast episode
(Image: inyourArea )
Money expert Martin Lewis is urging Sky customers to be alert for impending price hikes in their contracts, as these could give you a legal way to exit your contract early.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Martin Lewis Podcast, Martin responded to a listener named Lee, who is stuck in a costly mobile phone contract with Sky.
Lee asked: "How can I switch my mobile contract without it costing the earth? Sky only gives pennies for a phone if I send it back and charge so much to end the contract."
Unpacking the new guidelines outlined by Ofcom this year, Martin explained that mobile and broadband companies are now obligated to clearly disclose any potential future price increases in their contracts at the outset.
Yet, he pointed out, there's an escape clause for customers: if providers fail to do this upfront, they automatically grant customers the right to terminate their agreement within 30 days following any subsequent price increase—which aligns with Sky's current approach.
Responding to Lee's concern, Martin said: "The key bit of that question is the last bit. Look, let's be blunt. You sign up for a contract, the contract is to provide you with a service for a set period of time, and you get a price that is marked to be over that set period of time and if you wanted to leave it early, unless they have put prices up.", reports the Express.
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Martin Lewis clarified earlier comments regarding contract sign-ups, stating: "I said earlier that when you sign up for a new contract, they must tell you what the price rises are going to be during the contract period in advance. They don't always have to do that. The vast majority do, one of the firms that doesn't do that is Sky."
He then highlighted a specific policy from Sky: "Sky doesn't tell you in advance, but then if it does increase your price mid-contract, it has to allow you to leave within 30 days penalty-free."
The money-saving expert cautioned listeners: "So always watch out for your price hike on Sky and decide if you still want to be with it at that point, mobile and broadband that applies to."
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Martin further advised all consumers: "But in the case of you're still within a contract and you have early cancellation charges, unless you are no longer getting an adequate service - and even then it is quite difficult to do - then you still have to pay them the cancellation fee for leaving and getting out of your contract."
He also suggested a practical first step: "And in most cases you may as well stay which is why my first step is to check if you're out of contract".
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Listeners can still catch up with The Martin Lewis Podcast from June 19 on BBC Sounds, Spotify, and Apple Music.
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