How to Avoid Equipment Return Fees from DirecTV

If you are cancelling your account with DirecTV, you might think that everything is fine, and having closed your account you have nothing left to do. However, before your account can be truly closed do you have to return certain equipment that you rented from the company.

Failure to return it properly or if any given time frame can leave you the victim of equipment return fees from DirecTV. But we can help.

Equipment from DirecTV

Equipment typically includes things like a modem and router. DirecTV however also has equipment based on your account type; you have to return the wireless video bridge as well as the least receivers. If you have a DirecTV stream you have to return your Directv streaming device.

Note: You should receive a confirmation letter from DirecTV detailing what you need to return based specifically on your services. 

How Long DirecTV Gives You to Return Equipment

According to DirecTV, you have 21 days to return your equipment. This 21-day mark begins from the day you disconnect your service.

Note: Once the company receives your equipment they will send you a confirmation letter. You should be able to confirm that it was received based on the tracking information when you send the equipment as well.

What Happens if You Don’t Return Equipment

The fine print from AT&T, the parent company, says that you can be charged 2 types of fees:

1. The first type of fee is for damaged equipment and this is if you do return the equipment but DirecTV doesn’t like the condition it’s in. They can claim that you abused their equipment and therefore they have to replace it.
2.  The second is a fee for failing to return the equipment at all. They will assess this fee as soon as that 21 day deadline is over so you might see a fee of $150 for each type of equipment you failed to return on day 22.

It’s important to note that DirecTV says your equipment might just arrive late, beyond that 21 day deadline and if it does they will refund the money they charged you for the equipment return fees, but they give themselves 2 months to do that. And it’s really up to you to follow up and make sure that’s completed. Contact DirecTV customer service if you have any problems getting this refund. 

How to Return Your Equipment

By Mail

DirecTV gives you many ways to return your equipment and usually a customer service representative will specifically tell you which way they have assigned your account. Most common is through the mail.

You might receive a prepaid shipping label and a box in which you are to pack your equipment for your return. If this is the case, you pack everything up and put the prepaid shipping label on the box and then bring it to your local post office. If you choose this route, even if the prepaid shipping label doesn’t come with a receipt, or tracking confirmation services, it might be in your best interest to pay for this so that you can verify where your package is at any given time.

Alternatively, DirecTV might simply set up a system where you go to a UPS or FedEx facility with your equipment and leave it to them to package your equipment and mail it. You should get a confirmation receipt with this service as well.

In Person

If you don’t want to take the chance of something getting lost in the mail you can always go to a DirectTV outlet, and even contact customer service for a list of approved locations where you can drop it off in person. Be sure to get a receipt for this as well so that you have confirmation that it was received by the company. 

Document Your Equipment

Prior to returning any equipment make sure you document its condition. Take pictures of the equipment before you package it and of the packaging. This will help you if the company tries to come back and say that you returned damaged equipment and then charge you unnecessarily. You always have the option of fighting back if DirecTV says that you damaged the equipment.

What Happens if DirecTV*Loses* Your Equipment

Frequently companies like DirecTV still *lose* your equipment and try to charge you, and that’s something FairShake can help with. We work with many clients who have faced these bogus charges and we get results. 

Don’t let DirecTV charge you bogus equipment return fees.

Whether you were returning after a closed account and the company conveniently lost your equipment or they are making a claim for damaged equipment that didn’t happen, we can help.  Let us help you start a claim today!