Do you have to return a satellite dish?

Can You Be Asked to Return a Satellite Dish?

There are many things that come with canceling your satellite TV service, and one of them is whether to return the satellite dish. The satellite dish is the physical structure that is mounted on the outside of the home and collects the signals from the satellites in space. And what do you do with it when you no longer require the service or are not interested in it anymore?

In most cases, clients are not required to return the satellite dish when they cancel the service provider’s services. It is being referred to as installed equipment that is rather fixed on the home setting. And unlike a cable box that is owned by the provider and needs to be returned, the satellite dish can remain where it is.

There are some exceptions to this general rule though. Here is some more detail on what happens to the satellite dish when you cancel satellite TV.

The Satellite Dish Remains Stationary

When subscribing to satellite services, the installation process includes permanently affixing a small satellite dish to your residence or apartment complex. To the other equipment such as receivers or DVRs, the dish connects with cables that run through walls and ceilings.

And here is what the satellite provider does not expect or even require you to return the dish when you cancel. In other words, to remove a screwed-in or bolted satellite dish, you will surely have to exert some energy. In addition to it, it would involve sealing and fixing of any holes present, and the general mending of any outside harm that could have occurred.

In most cases, the providers look at the satellite dish as a fixed structure they no longer have ownership of after installation. It is like the ceiling fan or light fixture – the property takes it from one home to another. The only thing the provider does take back is any receivers, DVRs, or remotes that you are leasing.

No Early Termination Fees

Previously, many satellite TV providers offered packages that could only be terminated early for a fee within a specified timeframe. This made customers stuck with their services and unable to switch or cancel their subscriptions without incurring heavy fines.

However, today satellite companies like DISH and DIRECTV do not charge termination fees. There are no hidden extra early cancellation charges and you can cancel the service anytime you wish with 30 days written notice. Of course, one does still need to continue paying the balance of the monthly bill on any equipment that one might have leased directly from the provider.

However, there is no termination fee which implies that you can cancel your subscription or switch to another satellite service provider whenever you feel like and would not have to pay for a program you don’t need. Your accounts should be settled and you can cancel without worrying about being charged more fees.

When SE Has To Be Returned

While the satellite dish stays put, there are some situations where you do have to give back satellite TV equipment:While the satellite dish stays put, there are some situations where you do have to give back satellite TV equipment:

• Leased Receivers and DVRs: Any set-top boxes, receivers, and DVRs that you rent from your provider has to be returned when you decide to cancel service. You should receive prepaid shipping boxes and labels to return them at no cost. You may be charged for this leased equipment if you do not return it as agreed.

• Sponsored Equipment in Rental Units: If you are a resident in an apartment building or rental community that has a sponsored satellite dish and equipment program, you may have to return all items. Note that if the property owner or landlord pays for the satellite service in advance, then the equipment being used is not yours to take home.

• Temporary Dien External Dishes: Some satellite dishes and receivers are RV or commercial truck models. These mobile satellite setups have to be returned in their entirety to the company when the subscriber opts out.

  And if you only had the permanent outdoor dish installation with NO leased receivers involved then they generally allow you to keep the satellite equipment itself in the event you cancel the programming service. However, if you rent or have temporary service, you should cross-check the contract or consult the customer service.

  Using materials that have already been used at least once before is not particularly elegant, but it does save time and costs for the designer.

  Once you have cancelled satellite TV, then you have to pay any outstanding bills that may be remaining, the dish installed on the property then becomes your headache. In most of the cases, it is seen that the subscribers prefer to keep the dish installed even when they do not use the cable services anymore. The satellite dish poses no threat to the public just hanging there on the side of a house or on a roof.

  However, you also have options when it comes to reusing or removing an inactive satellite dish:However, you also have options when it comes to reusing or removing an inactive satellite dish:

• Switch Satellite Providers: Depending on your decision to cancel DISH or DIRECTV, you may opt to go to the other main satellite television service provider. So, if the old dish is an 18-inch model that targets 99/101 coordinates, it can be reused with another provider. The installer may require to adjust alignment or perform more cabling. However, it is the dish that is compatible with either of the services.

• Use the Dish for a Camper or RV: Small satellite dishes that are not in use at the house could be of use in a camper or RV if not required any longer. This lets you get satellite TV in a mobile scenario by installing an older dish. Mounting gear must be used properly to achieve this and weight distribution must be done in a safe manner.

• Remove the Satellite Dish: If you want the dish out of sight and off your table, you can decide to take it away from the house. This involves disassembling it from the roof or outer wall of the house. You then have to repair the gaps and maybe apply a new coat to the exterior paint. Companies will uninstall dishes for a fee while during standard installation of new dishes. However, they normally do not offer removals once the subscribers have gained access.

  But What About Getting a Refund on the Dish?

  Some customers are already awaring the options on whether they can get their money back on the satellite dish when they cancel the service. However, you did not pay anything upfront and that was not for the standard dish installment.

  For satellite providers the dish equipment and other expenditures associated with installation of the dish is considered as cost of getting a new customer. They pay for the dishes in order to make up for the costs and charges that they are offered monthly for programming. The only exception is the cases when you ordered additional cabling or non-standard dish at your own expense. However, if you fall into this category, you could be entitled to a partial refund or credit on those particular expenses.

  In most cases, customers are not entitled to any direct reimbursement for their meals. As the dishes remain at the home and no penalties are incurred by the subscriber for early termination of the service, the providers have no motivation to offer refunds on account cancellation.

  Weighing the Options

  When planning on parting ways with satellite TV, it will be helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you want to do with the dish on your property now that it is no longer used. It is possible that the simplest solution would be to leave the equipment as it remains now. But deciding to remove or reuse the hardware is also an option. Remember that under no circumstance are you expected to return the actual dish to the satellite company regardless of your decision.