DirectTV equipment returns

[lparsons21]

I just dropped my Mini from my account as my adult son has finally moved out (YEAH!!!), and I'm down to one TV.

Previously they indicated that you could either take the box to the post office, which gets you no good way to track to them, or to FedEX.

Now they don't indicate anything at all about FedEX, though it is still smartpost. So can I still take it to Fedex or has it changed enough to not allow that??

 

[raoul5788]

The Postal Service has tracking now.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Smartpost is a combo of Fedex and USPS. One takes it some of the way, then the other takes it the rest of the way. I just dropped my smart post off at the USPS and let them start it.

 

[lparsons21]

The Postal Service has tracking now.

Last time I sent things back, I could track from the post office to 'shippers agent' or some such. Never all the way to Direct.

Is tracking all the way now possible?

 

[Bodo Fenrirsson]

Couldn't you do where Directv would have to sign for it & return a card back to you so that you knew they got it?

 

[lparsons21]

I could do that if I wanted to pay for the shipping, otherwise, no you can't.

 

[raoul5788]

Last time I sent things back, I could track from the post office to 'shippers agent' or some such. Never all the way to Direct.

Is tracking all the way now possible?

Not if you use the prepaid service through Directv. I was talking generically that the Postal Service now has tracking like UPS does.

 

[thedamaja]

i just received a return box yesterday with smartpost return labels. All the instructions on the box say to have usps pickup or drop at the post office but the instructions on the smartpost website say you can also take it to FedEx.

http://www.fedex.com/us/smart-post/returns.html

If you type a smartpost tracking number into google it will give you usps and fedex tracking links.

I'm closer to FedEx so I'll take my package there first and USPS second if I have to.

 

[thedamaja]

Dropped at FedEx with no issue.

 

[thedamaja]

Just incase anyone is wondering. The SmartPost return label has two tracking numbers, The first one under the USPS Parcel barcode is for USPS pickup and the second set of numbers under the bottom barcode is for movement through FedEx.
The FedEx number is divided into 3 sections, the first section with (XXXXXXX) you can ignore. Just use the 2nd and 3rd sections for your tracking number.

The little sticker you keep from the bottom of the return label only has the USPS number and not the FedEx. I would recommend taking a picture of the label to have a record of both numbers. Being a dropped my return at FedEx the USPS tracking number never worked but the FedEx showed all movement until delivered.

 

[lparsons21]

If you type a smartpost tracking number into google it will give you usps and fedex tracking links.

Thanks for that tip, I did it and was able to track the Mini return all the way to D*.