The DIRECTV service provider also raises questions on whether customers are supposed to return the receivers, DVRs, remotes, and other equipment they were using consistently while paying for the service or not when they cancel their subscription or when they decide to upgrade their equipment. This frequently raises another question – does DIRECTV want their old equipment back when I cease using the equipment? The short answer is quite often yes because most suppliers, including DIRECTV, want their equipment returned. But it is rather vague, the details of which will depend on your case.
One important point to note is that when you subscribe to the DIRECTV services, you will be using their equipment, which means that you will be paying for them on an installment basis. This enables you to follow their programming without necessarily subscribing to their entire offer. In the same agreement, you are required to return any leased equipment in case you discontinue services, replace some equipment, or if you are transferring. This enables DIRECTV to renovate and reuse the hardware after clients have returned them hence cutting on the cost of buying new apparatus.
Specifically, here is DIRECTV’s policy on returning equipment:
Receivers and DVRs
For leased receivers, DVRs, HD receivers, and HD DVRs – yes, you would have to return these devices if you cancel your DIRECTV account. It works in the same way if you have an older model of a receiver or if one that was damaged must be changed – this means that you will have to return that piece of equipment.
When customers decide to cancel their subscriptions, DIRECTV provides return kits with prepaid shipping options. They also give back shipping labels if you are returning a receiver or DVR also offers packaging returns. It also makes it easy to get the equipment back to them when we are done with it.
Remotes and Other Accessories
Some of the explicit policies that differentiate DIRECTV from other companies include DIRECTV not insisting on the return of remotes, cables, and other small DIRECTV equipment. Normal remotes and A/V cables can be retained even for the equipment that requires to be returned after the expiry of the service period.
The only exception is for accessories provided with specific packages such as the 4K Genie Mini that comes with a special package. This may include the specific items that may require to be returned with the receiver or with the DVR.
Owned Equipment
If you bought a receiver, DVR, or Genie model at full price without making any payments to the provider during the contract term – then you own this gear. DIRECTV equipment is yours to keep once you cancel or upgrade the service, which is something you should know. It’s theirs to sell it, share it, use it, and enjoy it without returning it.
However, you should know that any owned equipment will only work in conjunction with an active DIRECTV subscription. It cannot be used on another provider’s service to make a call or send a message.
Fees for Unreturned Equipment
DIRECTV penalties for not returning leased equipment within 30 days after cancellation of the lease agreement include: The amount depends on the type of the hardware, it could range from $135 to $260 per leased receiver, DVR, or Genie Mini.
That totals rather quickly if you have more than one room with DIRECTV equipment in it. You also may be billed the retail price for some special advanced receivers that were not returned.
Avoiding Fees
The most effective strategy to deal with non-return fees is ensuring you conform to any returns that have been made by DIRECTV. If you cancel service or upgrade a receiver, be prepared to look for a return kit in the mail following the move.
If after two weeks you have not received your return packaging, it is advisable to directly get in touch with the company’s representatives and demand the return labels. So that it can get back to them on time with all the necessary equipment that they need for their operations.
The same goes for substitution through an upgrade, wherein similar efforts are made to replace a particular receiver. So when you are scheduling your hardware exchange, always consult with DirecTV if you have to return that previous model. Then wait for the come back of the return shipping materials and wait and see.
Selling Owned Equipment
While rented equipment has to be returned as per your rental agreement, owned equipment belongs to you, whether you want to retain them or sell them. This is because most dealers only provide reselling services of DIRECTV hardware that they directly source. Prices vary between $25-$150; they depend on a specific model and the state of the car.
Other similar sites that could be used to sell the owned equipment include eBay and Craigslist. You can also give away owned hardware to your friends or relatives if they have an existing Direct One solution to connect it to.
Disadvantage of the Old Equipment
Apart from satisfying curiosity, there are no valid reasons to have most of the deactivated DIRECTV equipment across your compound. Leased equipment will NOT work if a DIRECTV signal and service plan are not present.
Maintaining to run an owned receiver seems perfectly obvious, but typically entails an ongoing contract and repeating your current programming. This only provides more of the same but with not as much of a clear purpose or goal.
In other words, that older owned box winds up costing tens to hundreds of dollars annually for the access card fees and the extra subscriptions – with many of the added channels being fewer or not necessarily different than what you already receive with your existing DIRECTV service.
A Cost-Saving Strategy of Letting DIRECTV Reclaim Equipment
In nearly all cases, it is possible to return the leased equipment early enough and sell the owned gadgets that are no longer useful, hence, making you cash in your pocket. You do not pay for special equipment if you do not get it back; you cut out unnecessary access fees; you may make money on reselling working-owned models. This convoluted method also helps to avoid unnecessary cables and other devices in front of the home theater which is also a plus!
Closing Thoughts
It may be challenging to determine what must be returned or not when closing a DIRECTV at times. It is important to note that leased equipment needs to be returned, while the owned may be retained or sold. Listen to return kits when canceling service – and do not shy away from calling Direct TV if you have questions about returning the equipment. Returning boxes and equipment quickly while selling additional owned boxes guarantees that one gets the best value from upgrading or dropping DIRECTV service.
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