Told to return bell tv receiver after I thought I already bought it

[Ron]

I've canceled my Bell satellite tv, as I just don't use it anymore. After canceling, I received a letter in the mail saying to return my receiver box. I paid monthly fees for 60 months for that receiver - and was told the receiver would be mine and no more fees after the 60 months. The charge on my bill was $15 a month for 60 months - rebated for 57 of the months just because I had 2 other Bell services. Now the letter says I will be charged $499 if I don't return the receiver.  Feels like Bell is charging me twice. I phoned and I couldn't understand the answer - and he basically said I need to return the receiver. It's like, my rental agreement ended and I kept the receiver, thinking it's mine now - no more charges appeared on my bill. But on canceling the tv, Bell is saying they want the receiver back or will charge me. Why is Bell wanting me to return something or threatening to charge me for something that is now mine?

Why doesn't Bell even think? If they let me keep the receiver that I already paid for, perhaps someday I will come back to Bell. But in treating me like this and without the receiver, there is no way I will ever return to Bell tv services.

[BellPatricia · Accepted solution]

Hi there @Ron. Thanks for reaching out to the Bell Community.

We're sad to hear that you've decided to cancel your Satellite TV service. 

When your receiver is on a rental plan, you will be charged the monthly rental fee for sixty months. After sixty months pass, although the rental fee is no longer charged, the equipment still belongs to Bell. Upon cancelling, we request that any equipment be returned to us. 

- Patricia

[Ron]

Thank you, Patricia, for the reply and now it's clearer.  You explained it better than the phone rep.  And I've returned the equipment.  I just want to add that this policy is a bit confusing for the consumer and short-sighted on Bell's part. After paying the rental fee for 60 months, paying in total more than the retail price of the tv receiver box ($900 in rental fees versus a retail price of $499), and with the rental fees ended, it gave me the impression that it was a rent to own program. If it was owned by Bell, Bell should have continued the rental fees indefinitely - and the 60-month duration gives me the impression that I own the box after the 60 months have ended.

Secondly, it is short sighted on Bell's part. Now without the box, it is very unlikely that I will ever return to Bell tv service. The receiver box is of no use to me if I'm not a Bell customer. So having the box gives me a chance to return in the future to Bell tv. But now I won't.

Thanks,

Ron

[hjones]

I also canceled my Satellite TV service as I moved and no longer would need the service.  I was told I was to keep all my equipment and none of it needed to be returned.  All of my belongings are packaged and in storeage. I received a letter today telling me one of my receivers needed to be returned, I had three.  I have been a long time Bell customer and find this extremely frustrating.  It will be almost impossible for me to find the receiver amongst my storeage.  If I was told to return one I would have kept it ouf storeage.  I have had all three receivers from years!

[Schnubzer]

I also was quite sure that it was a rent to own for the PVR agreement that I had as well. I haven't paid for it in quite some time and was also under the impression that I owned it. I do believe that was the agreement we had, but was told upon cancelling that I needed to return it. Now was charged for it. Can I still return it?

[WelshTerrier]

Good Da

Yes, you can still return your rental equipment back to Bell. Please go to the following link & follow the instructions that are included.

Bell - Equipment return (bellresidentialreturns.ca)

 Once you have returned rented equipment after being charged the non-return fee, it takes up to two billing cycles from the date you returned the equipment to receive the credit on your monthly invoice. If the bill is overdue, late payment notices will be sent automatically.

When your receiver is on a rental plan, you will be charged the monthly rental fee for sixty months. After sixty months pass, although the rental fee is no longer charged, the equipment still belongs to Bell. Upon cancelling, the any equipment must be returned to Bell.

How do equipment returns and refunds work? : Return policy for Bell customers

Take care.

[omega69]

My receiver is not a rental, and I even have a purchase agreement for it.

[Tech God]

Call customer service and tell them - if you have your proof you should be good to go.

[WelshTerrier]

Good day.

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell Community Forum. It is somewhat difficult to answer your question with the limited information that you have provided

Can you please provide us with some additional details? We do not have access to your account & billing records. Do you have more than one Bell service? If so, did you cancel all of your services or just Bell TV?

1. Which Bell TV Service do you subscribe to? Fibe TV, Fibe TV App, Satellite TV.
2. Do you have Bell Internet & Home phone as well?
3. Do you have a Bell modem?
4. What is the model of the receiver that you are being asked to return?

Does the following apply to your situation with respect to the receiver being returned to Bell? 

Was this a Bell receiver on a rental plan that you have had continuously for at least 60 months? If so, the rental fee for that specific receiver is waived. You can continue to use the equipment at no additional cost as long as you remain a Bell TV customer. Bell still retains ownership of this equipment. If you cancel your service, the receiver must be returned to Bell.

To avoid a Bell non-return equipment fee, I would suggest that you contact Bell Customer Service accounts & billing at: 1 866 797-8686

A charge may be applied if you fail to return Bell's rental equipment, such as TV receivers or modems, within 30 days of canceling your service. 

Take care.

[omega69]

I only have Satellite TV (no more phone nor internet, though I had them in with Bell long in the past) and this is cancellation would completely terminate my relationship with Bell. I have a 6131 HD receiver, whoch I have had for 15 years. I have never paid any rental fees for this device, as it was given to me as part of a purchase agreement (DART version) where I would comit to 2 years subscription. (conditions set out in  #BEA 102)

[BellNick · Accepted solution]

Hi there @omega69 
Thank you for your post and welcome to the Community.
If you have / had phone, internet and Satellite TV and cancelled internet and the home phone service but you maintained your television service, you would not need to return any television equipment. 
It is most likely your internet modem in reference that would need to be returned, as all modems remain Bell property.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Community.