I called AT & T early this year as I wanted to switch from Comcast to AT&T U-verse.

AT&T told me that I did not have U-verse in my area and asked me to switch to DIRECTV till I have U-verse in my area.

I was specifically told that I have no contractual obligations with DIRECTV and I can switch to U-verse as soon as it available in my area.

U-verse is now available and I switched to AT&T U-verse and called DIRECTV to cancel my service. I was told by DIRECTV that there will be a cancellation charges of hundreds of dollars!!

Even though I did not have a "contract" I have commitment with them, hence the charge.

This reasoning sounds really ridiculous to me.