Does DIRECTV want old equipment back?

When you cancel your DirecTV service, one common question that arises is: Does Directv want their equipment back? The short answer is often yes. It remains the property of DirecTV the satellite dishes, receivers, remotes and other equipment that have been installed upon subscribing to the service. That is why when you cancel your subscription, they will often request that you return it so it can be used by other customers.

However, detail on what equipments are required to be returned and how may differ in some cases. In this article, we’ll walk through what you need to know about returning DirecTV equipment when cancelling service:In this article, we’ll walk through what you need to know about returning DirecTV equipment when cancelling service:

As for DirecTV usually asks equipment to be returned once the service is completed.

The standard DirecTV policy is that they expect you to return any of their equipment including their receivers, dishes, remotes and any other equipment that was given to you at the time of connection when you cancel your subscription with them. This enable them to renovate and recycle the machinery for the new subscribers instead of purchasing more apparatus.

Thus, generally, when you decide to cancel your DirecTV account, the customer service rep will tell you that a return kit will be mailed to you with shipping labels and instructions on how to return everything.

The return kit normally consists of some boxes and protective cases that you will use to pack the equipment properly. DirecTV needs to get all the receivers, dishes and parts back to good condition to be sold anew.

Which Pieces of Equipment Must Be Returned?

When ending DirecTV service, you will most likely need to return the following equipment if it was originally provided by DirecTV:When ending DirecTV service, you will most likely need to return the following equipment if it was originally provided by DirecTV:

• Parabolic dish (the round dish installed outside with a bowl shape that is used to receive signals)

• The main boxes that are connected to your TVs like the Receivers and the DVR boxes

• Remote controls

• Installation equipment such as satellite dish mounting hardware, bolts, poles, etc.

• The cables that are used to connect the receivers to the TVs which may include HDMI or other cables.

• Any other cables, accessories or hardware that DirecTV installed

  Generally, if the DirecTV technicians touched it in the initial installation and it is still there, it should go back.

  Search all the TV setup boxes, closets, near the satellite dish and all the possible regions where wires are drawn in the house. The return kit shipping labels are available for specific equipment quantities as per the expectation of DirecTV from a regular installation. Thus, you should attempt to find where everything is so that you do not have to spend more money to have a product returned to the store.

  Can You Return Equipment To A DirecTV Store?

  Although DirecTV will send prepaid shipping boxes for the return of equipment, you often have the chance to return items to the nearest DirecTV authorized retailer or service provider.

  Most of the broadcaster stores and dealers who sell DirecTV products may also provide returns. This means that you do not have to go through the process of packing and even shipping the items on your own. Instead, you can return the equipment and be on with it as long as the retailer issues a receipt for the returned merchandise.

  Going back to a physical store also offers more responsibility. If you have special expensive equipment like Genie DVRs or dish parts, it is always good to have documents that show that these items were returned in case DirecTV seeks to charge fees for the unreturned equipment in future.

  In the case where a consumer owns his/her DirecTV equipment, what are some things that he/she should expect?

  Now in some cases, DirecTV may decline to require the subscribers to return their equipment upon cancellation of the service. This happens primarily when:

1. You bought the equipment and did not lease it from DirecTV as a means of avoiding cost associated with leasing. There are some subscribers who prefer to purchase specific equipments such as the dish or specialty receivers rather than ‘leasing’ it from the provider. If the object is bought through a one-time payment, then it belongs to you, and you can use it as you wish.

2. The equipment was “free” because the consumer agreed to have direct TV service for a specific period, often two years. Sometimes it launches different promotions that include free hardware to long-term customers, such as DirecTV. Something like that equipment you are legally allowed to keep once you have earned it again.

3. DirecTV chooses to allow you purchase the leased receiver. Sometimes, if you still wish to continue renting equipment when canceling, DirecTV might allow you to make a final payment and then you own the device.

4. Some equipment is old and has been deemed unnecessary by DirecTV. After many years some hardware gets so outdated that it will not be effective to redistribute it to their customers. Therefore for the extremely old legacy boxes or dishes returning is optional.

   What are the costs of unreturned equipment?

   The policies outlined in the DirecTV subscriber agreement state that you must return all provided equipment upon cancellation or disconnection. Failure to restock all the hardware can result in various charges including:Failure to restock all the hardware can result in various charges including:

• Unreturned equipment fees: To their records, DirecTV will charge an average of $135 for each leased receiver, Genie DVR or other device not returned by the customer. This compensates them for the rental equipment they did not get back as they were anticipating.

• Collection fees: If you fail to heed to the equipment return requests and the accompanying bills from DirecTV, they can forward the unpaid balance to a collection agency, detrimental to your credit rating. It may also deny you the right to apply for the reopening of the DirecTV account in future even if you try to look for the hardware and return it.

• Legal fees: While it is true that DirecTV does not actively pursue the actual subscribers, in cases where subscribers run off for years with thousands of dollars of DirecTV gear or where subscribers attempt to sell leased equipment through Internet auctions or other means, DirecTV does cooperate with law enforcement and will take legal action to prosecute cable piracy and signal theft. But that is only in the very rare occasions of malicious and dishonest activities.

  Are There Any Charges for Early Termination When Using the Equipment?

  If you previously canceled DirecTV service but are now trying to find where to return unused equipment, then everything might not be completely lost. The records of DirecTV will indicate fees or no returns in your account. However, customer service is always able to reverse such charges if you inform them in advance that you have items which you want to return and explore possible ways.

  While some subscribers complain of being charged unreturned equipment fees even years after cancellation, DirecTV clarified matters when they returned the receivers to retailer drop off points.

  However, any earlier your actual termination date that you return any leased receivers and dishes, the better chances of not being troubled. Communicate effectively, keep records of your returned attempts and include the call tracking number. Unfortunately, even if the equipment trickles back much later, equipment bills can still be taken to collections or affect your credit somehow eventually.

  In Summary

  To wrap up the key points on policies about returning DirecTV equipment:To wrap up the key points on policies about returning DirecTV equipment:

• Since dishes, receivers, remotes, and installation hardware belong to DirecTV, it is common practice for DirecTV demanding all the equipment back at the time of disconnecting the service.

• Cancel for kits with return shipping labels to send back gear for packing up at no cost, are provided. The other way is to return equipment to other authorized DirecTV dealers who sell the equipment to customers.

• This means that any equipment purchased and officially owned is yours to keep. Even more, it is possible to consider some very old end-of-life legacy hardware as outdated and non-crucial to bring back.

• Not returning leased equipment costs $100+ per item that could be referred to collections agencies or legal proceedings if left unresolved.

• Returning equipment even long after cancellation is still worth it to attempt at disputing remaining fees especially if they reflect poorly on credit reports.

  Thus it is necessary to be specific about how you check on all the DirecTV equipments that needs return each time the satellite television is shut down. If proper equipment return procedures are followed, the best cancellation experience is achieved to avoid charges or credit impact. Another way to facilitate the transition is to turn to customer support and resolve any other issues that might not have been addressed here.