Sky dish issue, what's the best plan?

[Diapason]

Apparently some inclement weather has had an effect on our Sky dish, and the cables (which used to be taped to the mountings) have come loose. This happened before, but back then the dish was still under warranty so Sky sorted it. This time they want €100 to send an "engineer" out, but here's the kicker: our dish is mounted on our chimney stack and everything I've read and heard suggests that Sky's installers are no longer allowed to go up there.

I'm trying to figure out the best plan of attack. I'm 99% sure that all that's required is a reseating of the cables into the LNB on the dish, and then taping them up again to stop them jiggling free. If I had any kind of balls I'd just get on the roof and do it myself, but I don't so I won't. Should I just suck it up and pay Sky whatever they want, safe in the knowledge that they're going to insist on installing a new dish elsewhere? Should I try to find a local installer who might be willing to do it, or would this be unlikely to work out any better in the long run anyway? Should I do the "I'm cancelling" thing with Sky and see what they offer me?

Anyone any thoughts?

PS Advice to forget about Sky and just go Saorview/freesat is taken as read.
PPS Advice to stop watching TV and listen to more music is also taken as read!! :)

[jadarin]

Sky just chance their arm with the €100 call out charge.I've used the "i'm cancelling" line any time i've had problems like yours with my sky dish,just tell them your not paying the call out charge and put you on to the cancelling department.It's amazing how quick your problem will be sorted.I think it takes 31 days for the cancellation to come into effect anyway,so if it doesn't work out for you can always ring back and tell them you've decided to stay with them.While your onto the cancellation department ask for any special offers they can give you as you are a valued customer.Just be patient on the phone as sky have alot of muppets working for them..

[Diapason]

Ta!

[Seán]

Apparently some inclement weather has had an effect on our Sky dish, and the cables (which used to be taped to the mountings) have come loose. This happened before, but back then the dish was still under warranty so Sky sorted it. This time they want €100 to send an "engineer" out, but here's the kicker: our dish is mounted on our chimney stack and everything I've read and heard suggests that Sky's installers are no longer allowed to go up there.

I'm trying to figure out the best plan of attack. I'm 99% sure that all that's required is a reseating of the cables into the LNB on the dish, and then taping them up again to stop them jiggling free. If I had any kind of balls I'd just get on the roof and do it myself, but I don't so I won't. Should I just suck it up and pay Sky whatever they want, safe in the knowledge that they're going to insist on installing a new dish elsewhere? Should I try to find a local installer who might be willing to do it, or would this be unlikely to work out any better in the long run anyway? Should I do the "I'm cancelling" thing with Sky and see what they offer me?

Anyone any thoughts?

PS Advice to forget about Sky and just go Saorview/freesat is taken as read.
PPS Advice to stop watching TV and listen to more music is also taken as read!! :)

Drat!

[Diapason]

Drat!

It was actually you I was thinking of, Seán!!

[Rocker]

Use cable ties rather than tape to secure the cables.

[Ken Moreland]

I have a spare Lidl/SliverCrest Dish /Double LNB which you might be able to mount on another location, check http://www.dishpointer.com/ . You're welcome to have it gratis.
KM

[Diapason]

That's very kind thanks, Ken, although I'm now sorted so won't need to take you up on you on your offer. I rang the company who installed my HD box, the receptionist got the measure of the situation after a brief chat and, long story short, one of their engineers called over this evening to see what was what. He confirmed that we were getting signal but it was crap. When he popped up onto the roof it was clear why, and it was nothing to do with loose cables:



So, he replaced the dish and the charge for everything was a good bit less than Sky were looking for as a call out charge. Very happy, and now I'll be getting onto Sky and looking for a reduction in fees, which I've been meaning to do for ages anyway.

[jaybee]

I've an extra set of balls you can try I'd you like....

I found mine a little boomy and very sensitive....