Talk Talk Router - legally obliged to return ?

thesled

I recently ditched Talk Talk and moved to Vodafone as it was a fair bit cheaper.
I'd completed my Talk Talk contract period (I think it was 18 months or 2 years). 
I'd put the old router up on eBay as they seem to go for a few quid - no takers so far so still actually have it.
I then got an email from Talk Talk saying they'd like it back and they'll be sending me a 'returns' bag. 
I've seen elsewhere that people have been threatened with a £50 fine for non-return, but my account is closed, and they've already refunded me for my overpayment on the advance charges. 
Am I legally obliged to return this or can I just ignore them ? 
Many Thanks. . . . . . .

molerat

There will be no "legal obligation" but you may still be contractually obliged to return it.  I suspect though that they are only fulfilling their obligations for the disposal of waste electronics - by sending out the bags they can say that they did their bit.  The router is pretty much useless and of no real value so why not just return it.

400ixl

They can pursue you for the £50 if you don't as it will be a contractual requirement. Its not really worth anything so use their returns bag and send it back to them.

thesled

'Legally obliged' and 'contractually obliged' are basically the same thing for the purposes of. Personally I don't think it is a contractual requirement after the contract period has expired. The WEEE waste angle seems far more likely. I don't think they have any grounds to charge me if I don't return it. 
Regards value, they regularly sell for around £10-£20 on eBay, because in terms of the type of router I have they are an upgrade for some people. 
I may just take a view if and when the returns bag turns up. 

flaneurs_lobster

Dig out your TT sign-up T&C, that'll say what you've agreed to re the return of the router (or not).

mjm3346

"Personally I don't think it is a contractual requirement after the contract period has expired."

part of the contract maybe to return the router at the end of the contract

thesled

.flaneurs_lobster said:

Dig out your TT sign-up T&C, that'll say what you've agreed to re the return of the router (or not).

Yes, a bit tedious but probably the best way. I did and it says 

7.2 All such necessary equipment will be owned by us apart from the following equipment which you will own: (a) any router, mesh networking device, set top box and/or digital voice adapter that we send you as part of a new service with us; and (b) any equipment that you have paid for.

So this is saying it's mine and I therefore reckon I don't have to return it, which agrees with some other things I've read. Funnily enough I just got the 'returns' pack which consists of a letter so badly printed as to be illegible, a returns label and a thin plastic mailing bag about four times too big in which the equipment would just get smashed up. 

One of the few bit that was legible said 'TalkTalk will process your old device for recycling free of charge.

So I think I'll keep it on eBay for now.

waqasahmed

mjm3346 said:

"Personally I don't think it is a contractual requirement after the contract period has expired."

part of the contract maybe to return the router at the end of the contract

Virgin said this and then didn't bother collecting their kit back. Like I don't want it. It isn't even worth much on eBay. It's a door stopper at best 

anotheruser

Whether you want to bother with ebay is another matter, remembering you will have to pay a sellers fee and still stroll on down to the post office and all that hassle...  may as well just send it back to them.  It's not the possible fine that is scary, just the hassle for less than £10 (if it sells for £10 - you said no takers so far, despite you also saying they sell regularly).

If the router is part of their current line up, they may recycle it to another customer.
If it's not = binned!

Not really sure why this is an issue that needs opinions of someone on the internet - you have long decided not to bother sending it back and wanting that tenner :P

Marvel1

I would lookup the terms when you took out the contract, I know Shell has it and I had to return it.

wild666

 Plusnet sent me an bag to return my router back in 2018 so I sent it back to them. The only use it would be is to another Talk Talk customer who's router has given up and they want a new one and Talk Talk want them to pay for the new router