If you’re still subscribed to DirecTV, I send you my sincere apologies. There are so many great entertainment options out there that are so much more affordable – like SlingTV. But more on that later. First, let me help you solve the issue at hand, which is how to cancel your DirecTV subscription.
Can I Cancel DirecTV online?
Bad news – even though they’ll let you pay your bill online, you can’t cancel DirecTV through your online account. Just another reason you’ll never miss DirecTV once you cancel! Instead, you have to call their customer service line. That’s so they can give you special promotions designed to get you to keep your service. Follow the steps outlined below to help you stand your ground and get through your cancellation successfully!
How to Cancel DirecTV by Calling
The DirecTV customer service line number in the US is 800-531-5000. Make sure you have your account information handy to help the customer service representative get to your account faster on their end.
Step 1
Take a deep breath and call. Follow the prompts the best you can – they change occasionally, so listen carefully and don’t stress out too much. The most important thing is to get to the retention department. So the moment you get a human on the line, ask to speak to someone in the retention department – this will help save you time by getting you to the right place faster. If they ask for more information, tell them honestly that you’re calling to cancel your service. They’ll transfer you accordingly.
Step 2
By now, you’ll hopefully be on the line with someone in the retention department. Explain kindly yet firmly to the representative why you’re calling.
For example, saying “I want to cancel my DirecTV subscription because I’m cutting my household’s ties with technology” is good because it confirms you’re calling to cancel and it also gives a reason that the representative can’t argue with. Be wary – these representatives are expert negotiators, and they’ll have an answer to any other excuse you can throw at them. If you blame the expense, or that you don’t use it enough, or even that you’re moving out of the country, they’ll try to give you a reason to keep your service.
Step 3
Refuse any offers or leading questions. It’s important not to be rude or become angry, as the representative may then disconnect your call. You can be polite and stick the point by saying “I appreciate the information, but I still want to cancel my service.”
Step 4
After the representative accepts that you’ll be canceling your service, they will send a pre-paid delivery box to your house in order for you to return your DirecTV equipment. In most cases, you’ll have 21 days to return your DirecTV equipment without facing any penalty fees.
Once you receive the box, immediately fill it with your receivers, remotes, DVR, router, and anything else related to your DirecTV service. Use the prepaid label provided to send it back. The one exception is your satellite dish – you do not need to uninstall the dish and send it back in your provided equipment box.
Step 5
The last step is confirming that DirecTV received your box of equipment. This is a good double-check because you don’t want an error to leave you with paying the extra fees for the equipment. While on the call, you’ll also want to go over the final bill and make sure you’re paid.
Unpaid bills can be damaging to your credit score, and let’s face it, by now you’ve already been through enough. If the DirecTV representative you’re speaking with tries to win you back with great package deals, politely decline. It’s the least you can do since after this step, you’ll never have to talk to them again!
What is the DirecTV cancelation fee?
Unfortunately, most DirecTV customers are under a subscription contract. This means that in addition to a $15 deactivation fee, you’ll also have to pay a fee for each month remaining on your contract. This is about $20 per month, which is prorated if your cancelation was in the middle of a month.
If you have 10 months left on your contract, that means you’ll pay approximately $215 in cancelation fees ($20 for each month, plus $15 deactivation). Don’t let the cancelation fee change your mind! In the long run, you’re bound to come out ahead because you won’t be stuck wasting money on the most expensive avenue of entertainment out there.
The Best Alternatives to DirecTV
Now that you’re free of that expensive monthly contract, let me introduce you to better and cheaper ways to get all the entertainment you could ever want. In addition to popular services like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, there are a lot of great streaming options out there.
One that I particularly love is SlingTV. With SlingTV, you can get access to loads of popular channels and create customized channel packages that you’ll actually watch. It’s cheaper than traditional cable or satellite because you have more options to pick from, meaning you don’t have to pay for the channels that don’t interest you. And let’s not forget that you can watch live TV without a subscription service if you use a digital antenna like Mohu Leaf.
Also Read: Cutting The Cord – Cable TV Alternatives
Is Canceling DirecTV worth it?
Although calling customer service to cancel seems so 1999, the time you spend on that call can save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars in the long run, even if you have to pay a hefty cancelation fee. When you replace your DirecTV service with streaming alternatives, you’ll free up money in your budget while also freeing yourself from rigid long-term contracts. So yes – take the plunge and make that cancelation call today!
