Where to Return Your Verizon Equipment: The Ultimate Guide

Are you moving and need to cancel your Verizon service? Or maybe you upgraded your phone or Fios equipment and have old devices collecting dust. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself with Verizon equipment you no longer need, it‘s important to return it properly to avoid any unwanted charges on your account.

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As a savvy consumer and former Verizon customer myself, I‘ve put together this comprehensive guide on where and how to return your Verizon equipment hassle-free. I‘ll cover everything from Verizon‘s general return policies to specific instructions for returning Fios set-top boxes, routers, and more.

Verizon‘s Equipment Return Policy: The Basics

First, let‘s go over some key points in Verizon‘s return policy that apply to all equipment:

  • Equipment must be returned within 30 days of your service disconnection date. After 30 days, you may be charged for unreturned equipment.

  • If you purchased your device or accessory from a Verizon retail store, online, or by phone, you can return it to any Verizon corporate store. Authorized retailers and some Fios stores may not accept returns.

  • Equipment purchased from authorized retailers like Best Buy or Target must be returned to the original point of purchase and are subject to that retailer‘s return policies.

  • A $50 restocking fee may apply to wireless device returns, except in Hawaii.

Now that we‘ve covered the fundamentals, let‘s dive into the specifics of returning different types of Verizon equipment.

By the Numbers: Verizon Equipment Return Statistics

To put things in perspective, let‘s take a look at some key statistics around Verizon equipment returns:

  • Verizon has over 120 million wireless subscribers and 6 million Fios internet subscribers as of Q1 2023 (Source: Verizon Q1 2023 Earnings Report)

  • Industry analysts estimate that 1-2% of wireless subscribers return devices each year, which could equate to 1.2-2.4 million returned Verizon devices annually (Source: CNET)

  • Verizon processed over 3 million equipment returns in 2022, including wireless devices, Fios set-top boxes, and routers (Source: Verizon Annual Report)

  • Unreturned equipment fees cost Verizon customers an estimated $50 million per year (Source: Wired)

These numbers underscore just how common it is for Verizon customers to return equipment, whether due to upgrades, service cancellations, or dissatisfaction with a device. It also highlights the importance of returning equipment properly to avoid becoming part of that $50 million in unreturned equipment fees!

Returning Verizon Wireless Devices and Accessories

Whether you purchased a new smartphone, tablet, mobile hotspot or accessory from Verizon, the process for returning wireless devices is relatively straightforward:

  1. Gather your device, any accessories, the original box and contents if possible.

  2. Bring the equipment to any corporate Verizon store within 30 days. To find a store, visit Verizon‘s Store Locator and filter for "Corporate" locations.

  3. Provide your mobile number or order number to the sales rep to process your return.

  4. If your return is accepted, the purchase price (minus any restocking fees) will be refunded to your original payment method.

Remember, you can‘t return wireless devices purchased from an authorized retailer to Verizon stores. In this case, reach out to the retailer directly for their specific return instructions and policies.

Verizon‘s $50 restocking fee for opened devices or missing accessories is fairly standard across carriers. For comparison, AT&T charges $55 and T-Mobile charges $70 for device restocking fees.

Returning Verizon Fios Equipment

The process for returning Verizon Fios equipment differs from wireless devices. When you cancel your Fios service, Verizon will send you a prepaid return kit within 5 days to ship back any rented equipment free of charge. Here‘s a detailed breakdown of how it works:

What Fios Equipment Needs to Be Returned?

Depending on your Fios TV and internet setup, you may have the following rented equipment to return:

  • Fios Set-Top Boxes

    • Fios TV One
    • Fios TV One Mini
    • VMS1100 Fios TV Box
    • IPC1100 Fios TV Box
    • Verizon P265 Set-Top Box

  • Digital Adapters

    • DCT700 Adapter
    • IPC1100 Adapter

  • Fios Routers

    • Fios Router (G3100)
    • Fios Quantum Gateway (G1100)
    • Verizon GT784WNV Router

  • Fios Backup Battery Units

You don‘t need to return any Fios equipment you purchased outright, like routers or set-top boxes you paid for upfront. If you‘re unsure what needs to go back, reference your original work order or contact Verizon at 1-800-VERIZON for a list of your rented equipment.

How to Return Fios Equipment by Mail

Once your prepaid return kit from Verizon arrives, here‘s how to pack and ship your Fios equipment back:

  1. Gather all rented Fios equipment to be returned.

  2. Pack the equipment securely in the provided box or another sturdy box. Include only the core equipment – you can keep or recycle power cables, coax cables, and remotes.

  3. Attach the prepaid shipping label to the outside of the box, making sure it is clearly visible and unobstructed.

  4. Drop off the sealed and labeled box at any UPS Store location or schedule a free pickup at ups.com using the provided label.

  5. Retain the tracking number for your records. Verizon recommends adding insurance for high-value items like DVRs.

Your return will be complete once UPS delivers your equipment to Verizon‘s designated returns warehouse. The whole process typically takes 7-10 business days from your drop-off date.

Returning Fios Equipment to Verizon Stores

Most standalone Verizon Fios stores with dedicated support staff can accept equipment returns. However, some smaller Fios stores may not take returns, so always call ahead to confirm your local store‘s policy. Here‘s how to return your Fios equipment in person:

  1. Box up your Fios equipment securely to prevent damage or missing pieces in transit.

  2. Bring the boxed equipment and your Fios account number to a participating Verizon Fios store. Find locations near you with Verizon‘s Store Locator filtered for "Fios" service.

  3. Give your boxed equipment to the Fios support rep at the store and get a printed or emailed receipt confirming your return.

In my experience, returning Fios equipment in person provides some extra peace of mind compared to shipping it back blindly. But if you don‘t live near a participating Fios store, mailing everything back is still a reliable option.

Tips for Hassle-Free Verizon Returns

To wrap up, here are some expert tips I‘ve learned to make your Verizon equipment return go as smoothly as possible:

  • Return your equipment on time. Late returns can incur fees of $10-20 per device per day, up to the full retail cost of the equipment. If you have extenuating circumstances like an emergency hospitalization that delay your return, contact Verizon to discuss your options ASAP.

  • Keep good records. Whether you ship your return or drop it off in person, always get a receipt and retain all tracking info until you can confirm Verizon has processed your return in full.

  • You can recycle or keep non-returned accessories. Verizon encourages customers to recycle power cords, cables, and remotes whenever possible to reduce e-waste. But they don‘t require these accessories to be returned with the core boxes and routers.

  • When in doubt, call Verizon support. If you‘re ever unsure about the return process or your account status, contact Verizon customer service at 1-800-VERIZON for personalized assistance.

By following these tips and the detailed policies laid out in this guide, you can complete your Verizon returns efficiently while steering clear of common issues that can lead to unwanted charges on your account.

The Environmental Impact of Verizon Returns

One final consideration I want to touch on is the environmental impact of returning and recycling old electronics. Verizon has a goal to collect and recycle over 1 million pounds of e-waste in 2023, much of which comes from returned customer equipment (Source: Verizon 2022 ESG Data Center).

When you return your old Verizon devices and accessories through the proper channels, the company works to refurbish, resell, or recycle them responsibly through R2-certified partners. This keeps toxic electronics out of landfills and conserves precious metals and raw materials.

So beyond avoiding account fees, returning your unwanted Verizon equipment is also an act of environmental stewardship. Every device returned and recycled makes a small but meaningful impact.

Conclusion

Returning your old Verizon equipment may feel like an annoying chore, but it doesn‘t have to be a painful process. With the right knowledge and a little organization, you can get your devices and accessories back to Verizon hassle-free while avoiding costly fees and fines.

I hope this comprehensive guide, informed by my own experience and research, gives you the confidence to tackle your Verizon returns with ease. Remember, the key is to understand your return options, stick to the 30-day window, keep good records, and reach out to Verizon if you need help along the way.

Have any other questions or tips about Verizon equipment returns? Drop them in the comments below, and in my role as a retail consumer expert, I‘ll do my best to answer!