If you are not satisfied with your internet services and planning to cancel your subscription, you may want to know how to return Spectrum equipment.
Otherwise, you may be charged extra fees if you fail to return the equipment within the return period.
The easiest way to return your Spectrum equipment is to pack it in a box and drop it yourself at one of the Spectrum stores near you.
You can also drop the equipment off at one of the courier services that has partnered with Spectrum like FedEx, UPS, and US postal.
These courier services will walk you through the return process and handle the shipping and packaging for free when you let them know you are a Spectrum customer.
Additionally, if you are disabled, elderly, or have special exemptions, you can contact Spectrum so that they can come and pick it up, and you will not need to pay any extra fees.
Spectrum policy states that you only have 15 days to return the equipment and if you fail to return it you may face potential penalties.
Continue reading this article to learn more about how you can return your Spectrum equipment.
The Details of Returning Spectrum Equipment
If you are a dissatisfied customer, Spectrum will refund you within 30 days of buying the equipment. Spectrum has different deadlines depending on the equipment you want to return. This includes:
- 14 days for Apple devices and accessories.
- 30 days for any other equipment including routers, modems, auxiliary devices, and Spectrum receivers.
You do not need to return equipment like remotes and cables.
Do I Have to Return Spectrum Equipment?
If you haven’t purchased the equipment outright, you have to return it to Spectrum. This normally includes your router and modem as well as any router and modem combos that come as a single unit.
Sometimes there are other Spectrum components that you may have bought from the company, but they are normally connected to TV and phone services.
You do not need to return any of the equipment that you have purchased separately or from Spectrum outright.
How Long Do I Have to Return the Equipment to Spectrum?
According to the company policy, equipment should be returned to the company within 15 days of cancellation. This is indicated in their terms and conditions and technically they stick to them.
A spectrum customer representative will also tell you this when you contact them to cancel or disconnect.
However, sometimes Spectrum can be a little bit flexible and give you up to 30 days or even a little bit longer to return the equipment before they start pursuing penalties.
What Equipment Do You Need To Return?
You will have a list of devices to return depending on the services that you have subscribed to.
If you are a subscriber for internet only, the items that you should return include rented routers from Spectrum, Spectrum modem, WiFi Pods, modem-router combo or Gateway, auxiliary devices, and power cords.
If you are a TV bundle user, the items to return include a Spectrum TV receiver, Apple TV, and power cords. For those with services that include a voice plan, you should return the phone and voice modem.
If you chose Spectrum self-installation, you are not obliged to return the Ethernet cables.
How to Return Spectrum Equipment
There are different ways that you can return your equipment and they are made easy by Spectrum. They include:
1. Drop Off at Spectrum Location
This is the easiest way to return your equipment. All you need to do is visit the Spectrum retail store or local office and give them the equipment directly.
There are more than 650 Spectrum stores across the US, so hopefully you should find a store near to where you live.
The benefit of returning the equipment to a Spectrum store is that Spectrum can directly account for the equipment that is returned and quickly provide you with confirmation of the equipment return.
This provides extra piece of mind especially if you’re meeting a return deadline.
2. Return Via UPS
If you are not able to physically visit a Spectrum location, you can drop off some of the equipment including WiFi routers, voice modems, and most modem routers from the last four to five years to UPS (United Parcel Services) as they have an arrangement with Spectrum.
Visit any local UPS location and tell them that you have equipment that you need to return to Spectrum. They will take you through the process of returning the equipment and Spectrum will cover the postage.
When you mention that you are a Spectrum client, they will do the packaging and shipping for free since UPS has an arrangement with Spectrum for returning the equipment.
If you cannot find a UPS store near you, use UPS Store Locator and you can track the nearest store.
Ensure that you get a confirmation and receipt that UPS has directly taken the Spectrum equipment from you so that you can have proof that you have returned the equipment via UPS.
3. Return via FedEx
Returning the Spectrum equipment through FedEx works similarly to using UPS.
If your Spectrum equipment has a return label, you should attach it to the cardboard shipping box. Just ensure that before leaving the FedEx offices, you get a return receipt.
You should get a confirmation from FedEx that you have given them the equipment. You do not need to pay anything as Spectrum handles the postage fee.
However, you need this confirmation for your records in case anything happens to the equipment while in transit.
Below are the pieces of equipment that you can return through FedEx:
- Spectrum Voice modems.
- WiFi routers.
- DOCSIS 3.0 gateway devices (modem/router combo).
- DOCSIS 3.0 modems.
- DOCSIS 2.0 WiFi gateway devices (modem/router combo).
- Spectrum receivers including DVR and HD receivers.
Tip: Do not use a FedEx Drop Box, instead use a FedEx Office location.
4. Return via USPS
Returning Spectrum equipment through USPS works the same way as UPS and FedEx. What you need to do is visit your local post office and tell them that you want to return Spectrum equipment.
Ensure that you attach a shipping label that is pre-printed which you can directly get from the Spectrum website.
This will cover the postage and anything else that is needed to get the equipment directly to Spectrum. Try putting the equipment in the boxes that came with it to avoid spending extra money on packaging.
Ensure that you get a confirmation that you gave the post office the equipment.
5. Scheduled Equipment Pickup from Spectrum Contractors
Certain Spectrum customers such as the elderly, disabled, and individuals that fall under the special exemptions category can directly contact Spectrum to schedule an equipment pickup.
However, this should be discussed directly with Spectrum customer support.
Therefore, if you want to schedule an equipment pickup by Spectrum contractors, you should give them a call directly or go online and use their chat tool to find out what the next steps are for the pick-up.
What Happens If I Don’t Return Spectrum Equipment?
You may be required to pay extra charges on your final bill if you don’t return the equipment to Spectrum within the recommended 15 days.
If you haven’t brought back the equipment, Spectrum will charge you any applicable fee such as replacement charges or fees that cover the retail cost. The fee will vary depending on the customer and the type of equipment.
You may also have to cover any associated charges or expenses that Spectrum uses when trying to recover the equipment.
These fees can quickly get pretty high so returning the equipment as soon as possible is a good idea.
You will also be charged accordingly in case of an incomplete or partial return. If the attempt to collect the equipment by Spectrum technician was unsuccessful, this will be part of your fee for unreturned equipment. Stick to the deadline that Spectrum offers to avoid all the hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are the most common questions asked by Spectrum customers about returning equipment:
Where to return the Spectrum equipment?
The spectrum equipment can be returned to the Spectrum store, FedEx store, USPS, or UPS.
Can I return my Spectrum equipment to any Spectrum store?
Yes, you can return the equipment by dropping it off at any Spectrum store that is near you.
Do you need a return label for Spectrum equipment?
Yes, in case you are returning the Spectrum equipment using FedEx or the US Postal service, you must label it. But, if you drop off the equipment at a Spectrum store or UPS store, attaching a return label is unnecessary.
How much does Spectrum charge you if you don’t return equipment?
If you don’t return the Spectrum equipment in a span of 15 days, some fees will be charged to your bill, but this fee is not fixed for all equipment. It depends on a few factors such as the package service and the list of equipment.
Make sure you return the Spectrum equipment at the right time to avoid these fees.
How do I cancel my Spectrum Internet?
You can cancel your spectrum internet by calling Spectrum cancellation at (833) 267-6094 and verifying the details of your account.
Alternatively, the process is faster if you are using a registered phone number where the executive has access to your account information. Remember to state that the equipment is for return.
How do I return my UPS Spectrum equipment?
Take the spectrum equipment to the UPS store available at your location. Packaging and shipping will be done by UPS. Ensure you verify the list and take the receipt to track the package.
Final Words
From this article, it is clear that returning your Spectrum equipment is not complicated.
This is because Spectrum offers you different options to make this process painless and easy including dropping the equipment at their stores or using courier services like FedEx, USPS, or UPS.
Also, Spectrum staff can come to your home to take the equipment if you are not able to take it to them.
Ensure that you return the equipment on time, that is, within 15 days of cancellation to avoid paying penalty fees which can be expensive.
