Essentially obtaining a satellite dish implies that one has to agree to terms with service providers to access the device. Perhaps, the following question becomes critical when you decide that it is high time to cancel the satellite TV subscription: Is it necessary to return the satellite dish equipment?
The short answer is: The answer is – it depends. Policies regarding returns and ownership of satellite dishes are not the same with all the service providers. In the following sections, we will look at various situations concerning the ownership of the satellite dish, the ownership where one has to return the equipment, the chances of purchasing your leased equipment, and the case when you do not return the satellite equipment.
Which of the Two Parties Owns the Satellite Dish?
When you decide to get satellite TV service, you will have to agree with the service provider and enter into a contract. This contract details who maintains ownership of the physical satellite dish equipment mounted on your home. As for the equipment, the satellite company usually owns it but you just have it on hire purchase basis.
The four most common satellite dish ownership scenarios are:
- Leased Equipment: The customer does not own the dish and any receivers or digital video recorder boxes, but these are owned by the satellite provider. This is the most common situation because this situation allows for a wider range of correlation types than does the second situation, and, as I will explain below, the second situation can lead to a lack of correlation.
- Rented Equipment: Like leasing, where you have the equipment in your business but you are allowed to pay a rental fee every month, although minimal such as five dollars per month.
- Owned Equipment: This also occurs less frequently in the current scenario, but sometimes, equipment is bundled with specific packages or promotions, under which the ownership of the equipment shifts to the customer.
- Bring Your Equipment: Occasionally, you might be permitted to bring your satellite dish, which has been procured elsewhere by the provider.
Equipment acquired under leased or rented conditions has to be returned upon the termination of your satellite account. Bearing in mind that equipment like satellite dishes are hired, and you are expected to return them after use, this option allows you to possess the equipment permanently.
Must I Pack Satellite TV Equipment Back?
Well, if you are a tenant, or you have a satellite setup, then in a way it is correct; you must return the TV equipment when you cancel satellite service or a provider. These are dishes, receivers, remotes, and DVR boxes.
Most customer have been shocked to learn that they do not have legal claims on their satellite equipment. Check with your provider so that you know whether satellite TV is allowed according to the rules governing your neighborhood. They are often inserted in the legal documents that are provided to the customers upon subscription to the services.
What Gear Can I Return?
When discontinuing satellite TV service, you typically have three options regarding the return of leased equipment:
1. Schedule Pickup
Most providers will deliver and install the dish and other rented equipment for free, but you are required to return them free of charge. For the satellite service providers, you should call your provider and inform them that you would like to discontinue your service and would like to schedule an appointment for the satellite to be collected. This ensures proper deactivation while getting the gear off your hands with less struggle as you’ll be needing it the next time you start cycling.
2. Mail Back
For other associated equipment such as receivers and remotes, your provider may provide prepaid shipping boxes or labels for post-return shipping. Therefore, to avoid being charged for non-returning, adhere to the return instructions as explained.
3. Self Returns
A few companies also have local return centers in which you can drop off satellite TV equipment in person yourself. When driving items back, ensure that the equipment has been deactivated by customer support, or if you are returning the equipment, then be sure to provide your account number. Ensure you obtain a receipt as evidence that you returned other items since you may be charged for unrelated equipment.
Can you buy the satellite equipment that you leased?
You may prefer to buy the gear for personal use if you are not ready to return the dish set-up. Most satellite providers allow early termination of the contract; however, the customer is to pay for equipment that was leased at the termination of the contract. The purchase price of usual dishes and receivers/DVRs varies between 50 and 150 U. S. dollars.
The primary reason that makes so much sense to purchase is if you wish to change satellite companies but retain your equipment. Buying out a lease also makes sense if one plans to (use) equipment for over-the-air antenna TV or Satellite Radio for which there may not be a dish provider going forward.
What Consequences May I Face If I Fail to Return Satellite Equipment?
In most customer agreements, you should close your account and return any rented satellite equipment before concluding. If gear and service are not deactivated suitably then it may be possible that you are still being charged even, if you have canceled the TV package.
Even worse, failure to return leased property when due is a theft of services under the law, making it more likely that those involved in such practices would be arrested. Your satellite provider will for sure call you, email you, or send mail notices asking for the return of the dishes they were unable to retrieve.
Finally, if several years have passed and the equipment is still leased, a person’s account can be forwarded to collection agencies. This amount may include any unpaid balances you may have and if your provider was able to recover any unreturned TV hardware or early termination fees, they are allowed to report those to your credit bureau.
Bottom Line
Returning equipment allows for crisp and proper closure of your satellite account to avoid any misunderstanding. Contact the customer service department to learn about the right steps for returning equipment when one is ready to end the satellite television service. Unwind any promotional offer as to whether the users are bound to remain a minimum of one year to avoid the $200+ early termination fees as well.
It makes it easy to walk away from a satellite service later on when you know your return responsibilities and the ownership of equipment. You just need to ensure that you have all these details on return policy, pickup services, and equipment purchase before you agree to any satellite TV contract.