What is the best way to cancel DirecTV?

[ryansebiz]

I want to know the best way to cancel DirecTV. Here's my info:

• I'm moving cross-country on April 2 and my new apartment only offers Comcast (i.e. no D* dish installs)
• My DirecTV bill is due April 4 (last payment was March 2)
• I have a CC on file and am enrolled in auto bill pay
• My contract expires in July
• If I cancel now, I should expect to pay an $80 ETF (April-July)
• I'd like to keep service until end of day on April 1 (for The Walking Dead finale and Game of Thrones premiere)

My questions are:

1. Should I take the receiver with me, and sign up for the movers deal, in hopes that the installer will not be able to get permission from my landlord to install the dish because of the Comcast agreement, therefore letting me out of my ETF?
2. Or, should I cancel now before my next billing cycle? If so, should I call and cancel as soon as possible, or wait until April 2?
3. Should I cancel my CC so that D* doesn't charge me some extrodinary fee such as a triple-digit ETF and I can pay by check? Or will they automatically ding my credit report and send me to collections if I do this?
4. How do they send the receiver/remote return box to me? USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc? What is the timeframe before they charge me for unreturned equipment?

 

[raoul5788]

I would suspend the account along with the movers connection if you can do that. Tell them the situation and that you want to continue but don't know if you can get Directv at your new place. You can suspend up to six months. Maybe something will change in that time frame, like moving to where you can get it. You never know!

 

[vln12]

I thought it was illegal to deny satellite dishs? Even if it was an eye sore.

 

[Brian Fuller]

I thought it was illegal to deny satellite dishs? Even if it was an eye sore.

It is illegal. They place reasonable restrictions like no permanent mounts but they can't so no completely.

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-reception-devices-rule

Sent From My Samsung Hercules

 

[Mr Tony]

I thought it was illegal to deny satellite dishs? Even if it was an eye sore.

unless you have your own private balcony/patio you're pretty much screwed.

 

[Mr Tony]

It is illegal. They place reasonable restrictions like no permanent mounts but they can't so no completely.

sure they can. If the only option is the roof and they say no you're screwed (again unless you have an exclusive area)

 

[raoul5788]

It is illegal. They place reasonable restrictions like no permanent mounts but they can't so no completely.

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-reception-devices-rule

Sent From My Samsung Hercules

They can if you don't have an area that isn't a common area like a porch or balcony like Iceberg said.

 

[ryansebiz]

I would suspend the account along with the movers connection if you can do that. Tell them the situation and that you want to continue but don't know if you can get Directv at your new place. You can suspend up to six months. Maybe something will change in that time frame, like moving to where you can get it. You never know!

Thanks Chip. That sounds like a good plan - I'll try that.

 

[raoul5788]

Good luck!

 

[bruin95]

unless you have your own private balcony/patio you're pretty much screwed.

Plus, the balcony/patio must be facing in the right direction with a clear view of the sky.