Early termination fee if switching from DirecTV --> DirecTV through Qwest???

[GlennCoco]

OK, so here goes...

Right now I have my phone through Qwest. I have DirecTV. I have internet through Mediacom.

I'm thinking of ditching Mediacom in favor of Qwest DSL. I'm so unhappy with Mediacom, which is the reason I ditched their cable in favor of Dish a few years ago (but then I decided to go DirecTV). I know DSL is slower than the cable internet, but for half the price, I don't really care. I just don't want to give Mediacom any more money.

So I was looking at the Qwest website, and they offer DirecTV. I've had DirecTV since last May, but I was wondering, if I wanted to cancel my DirecTV service, to sign up through Qwest, do I have to pay an early termination fee? I really like the idea of paying one bill for all three services, but I don't know if I want to do it if I have to pay extra.

Thanks.

P.S. If I don't come back here for a while to check up, it is because I am on dialup right now, and it is such a hassle to get on here. My cable internet is down for some unknown reason, and Mediacom can't get anyone here for a long time to fix it. This is part of the reason I want to switch. Also, they're raising the rates and I don't like that.

[Earl Bonovich]

I highly doubt it.
If so... I think that would be easily mitigated by the customer service department.

[say-what]

You should be able to switch DSL providers w/o any effect on your D* status. Now it will affect any discounts you're getting because of bundles services with Mediacom, but if Qwest offers discounts, you'd qualify there.....

You're not cancelling your D* service....

[sonofjay]

FWIW, I tried the same thing with Verizon. I had DirecTV and wanted phone service though Verizon and could not get my DirecTV services on my Verizon bill. With calls to both Verizon and DirecTV they both said "that this was for new customers only"

That was 2 years ago so things may have changed now.

[dragonbait]

I do not think you need to go the route of canceling and resubscribing with Qwest. You might want to hunt around in the ordering section of Qwest's web site to see if you can add your existing DirecTV account.

With BellSouth I was able to bundle my DirecTV account using BellSouth's web site. I just had to give BellSouth my DirecTV account number. However, I do not get a single bill. I still get billed separately by DirecTV, but there is a $10 credit every month labeled "BellSouth Answers(SM) Savings."

If Qwest’s web site can’t help you I am sure Qwest’s customer service can.

[john18]

No! I did the same thing. Leave your service alone and just go sign up with Qwest. They simply let D* know they are paying your bill and they bill you at a discount on the bundle. Don't change a thing!

Edited to add:

You will still call D* for any problems and/or service changes. Any billing changes or problems will be directed at Qwest.

[Phil T]

I have DirecTV through Qwest. I just called Qwest and they took over the billing. You don't need to cancel anything.

The only issue I have is the billing is always behind. You can't see your billing on the DirecTV web site, other then current activity.

I was still able to get a deal on a HR20. The credits showed up on the Qwest bill, it just takes a long time.

[GlennCoco]

Well, I'm going to go ahead and call today, and I'll let everyone know what I find out.

Thanks so much!

[Katisha]

My cable internet is down for some unknown reason, and Mediacom can't get anyone here for a long time to fix it. This is part of the reason I want to switch. Also, they're raising the rates and I don't like that.

Just wonder if you knew that Mediacom had an equipement problem for several days last week. It is now fixed and all you have to do is reset your modem. At least, that was all I had to do.

[jediphish]

I don't have Qwest, but I do have the same situation you do, just with Bellsouth (soon to be AT&T). I was already a DirectV customer. I signed up for Bellsouth phone, LD, cell, and Internet bundle. Then I let both Bellsouth and DirecTV know I had the bundle. DirecTV stated deducting $10 per month off my DirecTV bill, under the line item Bellsouth Bundle discount. I would think the same would apply with Qwest.

[GlennCoco]

Just wonder if you knew that Mediacom had an equipement problem for several days last week. It is now fixed and all you have to do is reset your modem. At least, that was all I had to do.

Thanks for letting me know. I wonder if it is the same problem, or something different. Did the Mediacom problem affect EVERYONE in Iowa? I don't know anyone else with Mediacom so I can't ask; they all jumped ship to Qwest.

Anyways, I'll check when I get home. I'm at school now, but I'll be home in a few hours.

BTW, where in Iowa are you? I'm in Coralville.

[GlennCoco]

Just wonder if you knew that Mediacom had an equipement problem for several days last week. It is now fixed and all you have to do is reset your modem. At least, that was all I had to do.

Well, I just got home and unplugged the modem for about a minute and plugged it back in, and still doesn't work :-(

[GlennCoco]

So I emailed DirecTV about this and this is the response I got:

Dear Chris,

Thanks for asking us about your switch. If you're interested in bundling service, I'd like to let you know that some customers with Qwest and DIRECTV services get billing information from both companies, all in one statement (an integrated bill).

If you're interested with Qwest and DIRECTV bundling service, please call Qwest at (800) 244-1111. They're equipped with knowlegable customer service representatives that are willing to assist you regarding this request. You'd also be able to get more information on how to opt-in to integrated billing.

As for the account, if you will be cancelling your DIRECTV services and get a new service through Qwest, please be advised that there will be an early cancellation fee of up to $300 if the commitment is not fulfilled until May 8, 2008.

I hope that this information clarifies the concern. Should you have any further questions, feel free to reply to htis E-mail or call us at 1-800-531-5000 and a customer service representative will gladly assist you.

Thanks again for writing and stay tuned to directv.com for the latest news and information about our services.

I understand this to mean that if I just want to bundle with Qwest, it is OK, but if I cancel my service and sign up new with Qwest, I will be charged a fee. I hope I'm reading this correctly. I guess it is now time to call Qwest.

[john18]

Just call Qwest and transfer the account. Don't cancel anything.