The nearest drop-off for your provider, plus what to actually return, what to keep, and the receipt nobody saves but should. Unreturned cable equipment fees average $200 to $300 in the DMV.
Most homeowners only think about the wiring when something's being changed. When you're already canceling cable, dropping a landline, or moving providers — that's the moment to fix everything at once. Mount the TV right. Clean up the rack. Run a wired AP to the basement. Get the smart home talking.
If you're handling a provider switch in the next month, text Rick a photo of what you're working with. We'll tell you in two minutes whether it's a half-day fix or a real project.
Rick · SWAT A/V · North Potomac, MD
Xfinity accepts free returns at any UPS Store — print the prepaid label at xfinity.com/returns, drop the box at any UPS counter. Most DMV cities have multiple UPS Stores. Xfinity Service Centers also accept walk-in returns but lines can be 30+ minutes.
Verizon Fios gives you 30 days from the disconnect date to return equipment. Drop at any UPS Store or FedEx Office with the Verizon return slip (no label needed — they look it up by phone number). Unreturned equipment fees range from $100 (set-top boxes) to $300+ (Fios Router).
Always take a photo of the receipt. UPS and FedEx give you a tracking number — that proves chain of custody if the provider claims they never received it. If you lose the receipt, return to the same drop-off and ask the cashier to look up the transaction by date or your phone number.