Trying to remove receivers from our account that came in RV that we sold.

You got the RVs used and the previous owner left the boxes in them? Then there was an issue with how the boxes got activated.

From context they were activated at least over 4 years ago. Possibly back when reactivating boxes was still normal (mainly because of owned boxes that is no longer an option).

So either owned boxes were activated in a 'leased' status (DirecTV owned) by accident or the boxes were in a 'leased' status on someone else's account (possibly deactivated already) and shouldn't have activated them on your account in the first place as they are not permitted to transfer customer to customer.

The other concern is you said the RVs were sold 4 and 2 years ago. If you're getting the non-return fee (NRF) for each box now, that says they have been active on your account this whole time (paying the $7 for each authorized TV and allowing the new RV owners to watch the service you were paying for).

Hopefully the official forum help team can get this sorted out, as I see they are sending you a Direct Message (DM in the forum). Let us know the result.

The horse trailer we had built and the manufacturer built the DirecTV boxes into the cabinets and you have to call Winegard to add them to your account.  The motorhome was pre-owned but same circumstances, the boxes came in it new so the previous owner left them and I added them to my existing account.  The manufacturers have to be purchasing the boxes somewhere so I'm not sure why there is not an option to just cancel service so the next owner can add it to their account.  I am on with DirecTV now and this representative understands that I don't have the boxes in my possession and said that there is a code they can put in so the boxes don't have to be returned but because I already removed them from my account with the representative last week and boxes have been sent to me to return them, there might not be anything that she can do.  Super frustrating, especially since we've been customers for 20 years but my own fault for not removing them when we sold the trailers.  Then the non-return fee wouldn't sting so bad.

DTV went to lease only in 2006, Winegard and other third party retailers provide leased receivers for the upfront lease fee DTV changes.

Direct TV will not activate service in the used motorhome I just purchased until the previous owners show proof they no longer own the box. Showing I own the motorhome is not good enough even though the box is part of it. Funny I have traded 4 motorhomes with Direct TV service and no one ever called me about box ownership. The previous owners are not inclined to do anything suspicious of some sort of a scam. Can’t blame them. 

I can’t get service in a used Motorhome I recently purchased. They want the previous owner to show they no longer own the box the previous owners are not inclined to do so thinking it’s some sort of a scam. The dealer can’t help because they have never had this problem and don’t “own” the box.

As stated DTV went to lease only in 2006 so most likely they are still leased and most likely non returnable but to make sure what is the model number(s).  AFAIK you need a new account and receivers from an RV dealer that installs DTV.  DTV only allows a surviving spouse to transfer the account into their name.

@Festerbestertester 

DirecTV did not go to lease-only in 2006. The Genie (HR34) was the first that never had a purchase to own option and shortly after that launch (2011) is when they went to lease-only. Naturally at that point not many people wanted to pay $499 for an HDDVR, though it was still an option until the Genie era changed it.

When those purchase to own options went away, DirecTV eventually stopped reactivated boxes. So even existing owned boxes couldn't be sold/given away anymore.

Most likely the boxes in the RV were 'leased', meaning technically DirecTV owned them. But they were old models they didn't want back anymore. Owning the RV has absolutely nothing to do with who owns the boxes and if they may be used by someone else.

Sorry but bottom line, boxes cannot be transferred customer to customer. That hasn't been permitted in a few years.

However, nobody from DirecTV should be calling verifying who owns a box. That is what is suspicious of a scam. DirecTV doesn't call anybody about equipment. You call the official customer support line to discuss the account. That way you know you are talking with the actual company.

Got the fix for Direct TV and the lease rip off, going to Dish, problem solved!

@Festerbestertester 

Purchase to own (back when it was an option) $499 get an HDDVR with a 1 year warranty.

With lease you get a free upgrade either of which comes with an ongoing warranty. Comes with a 24 month service agreement to stay with them, but even if you canceled early would still be cheaper than the purchase to own option.

Purchase from another individual, no warranty and no assurance of condition when you get it. So you get "as-is".

As such the lease option that has existed for a decade and a half (so shouldn't be a surprise to anybody) is not a rip off.

If you believe Dish Network will work better for you, good luck. At the very least make sure to read the Terms of Service and order confirmation in full so you don't get hit by any surprises later.

(Side note: It is DirecTV, not Direct TV. Just a caution with all the scams out there pretending to be from a company they are not).