Good afternoon,
Three questions: Has anyone returned cable cards to Verizon using the United Postal Service (UPS) as Verizon requires? Has Verizon acknowledged the receipt of the cable cards? Finally, does Verizon charge an early termination fee (ETF) when a customer terminates service because the customer moves to a new address?
Earlier this month, in a effort to reduce costs, I decided to return my cable cards and terminate my FIOS TV service. I was keeping my home phone and reducing my internet service speed. After discussing the situation with a Verizon FIOS representative, I changed my FIOS service which resulted in a reduction in my monthly fees from $179.99 to $107.00. To receive this price, I have to commit to a twenty-four month contract for FIOS phone, internet and TV. At that time, I asked whether there would be an ETF because I am trying to sell my home. The representative said there was an ETF, but that it does not apply to customers who move. I received an Order Summary in the mail. This summary states that I have an ETF of $360 that reduces by $15 each month. However, it does not state that the fee does not apply in the case of customers who move. While I am still within my thirty day cancellation period, I would like to know if anyone else has moved and not been subject to an ETF or if the ETF is applied regardless of the reason for the cancellation, which is what I suspect.
In order to accomplish this reduction, I must return three cable cards. The Verizon representative sent me a box to return the cable cards. My problem is that the return document states that I am returning a set top box. I do not have a Verizon set top box because I use the TIVO. Additionally, the box is huge as though, Verizon is really expecting the return of a set top box and not three small cable cards.
I called Verizon's customer service to clarify that I do not have a set top box in my records and that I am returning only the cable cards. The representative said that the return notice always states that the customer is returning a set top box. That made no sense to me. I called a local Verizon store to return the cable cards, but the store representative said they do not accept the return of cable cards. I have to send them back using UPS. I am fine with sending back through UPS if there is some assurance that my account will be credited with the receipt of the cards. Verizon refused to mail them to me when I ordered them. I had to wait for a technician to install them, but now Verizon wants me to send them back without any proof of receipt.
I am leery of placing three cable cards in a box made for a set top box with a form indicating that a set top box is supposed to be returned in the box. Additionally, I do not want to place three cable cards in a box when I can not prove that Verizon actually received them when the representative opens the box.
If you have returned cable cards to Verizon through UPS or moved at the beginning of a Verizon contract, I would really appreciate any insight you have on these issues.
