These days, internet service is one of the most important things you’ll buy for your household. But you don’t want to be stuck with an internet plan that’s too slow or expensive for your needs.
If you’re prone to buyer’s remorse, Spectrum’s 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee provides extra insurance for your shopping experience. On paper, Spectrum’s guarantee will let you get your money back within a month if a Spectrum purchase or upgrade doesn’t work out for your home.
But does it sound too good to be true? I dug into Spectrum’s fine print to look for the details, loopholes, and facts—here’s everything I dug up that you need to know about Spectrum’s 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee policy.
How Spectrum’s money-back guarantee works
Spectrum’s 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee covers more ground than you’d expect, but it also requires a little more explanation depending on your situation. Let’s break down the most essential facts about Spectrum’s refund guarantee.
It covers every Spectrum service
Want to dip your toes into trying out Spectrum Mobile®? Are you moving and shopping for a whole-home service bundle?
Spectrum’s guarantee applies to its TV, internet, home phone, and cell phone services, so you’ll be covered whether you’re a new customer or an existing subscriber who wants to try out a service upgrade.
(But keep in mind, Spectrum generally has a no-take-backsies policy on its guarantee. You have to request a refund within 30 days of service, and can only get a refund once per service within 90 days.)
You’ll get (most of) your money back
Spectrum will refund your money through its 30-day guarantee, but your refund’s format and time frame depend on a few factors.
Cancelling one service but sticking with Spectrum? Spectrum will apply a credit covering your cancelled service to your next month’s bill. If you’re leaving Spectrum entirely, the provider will apply this credit towards any outstanding charges on your final bill before sending you a full refund.
Spectrum’s refund policy covers your service’s monthly rate amount, installation costs, and equipment fees. However, it won’t cover items like taxes, custom installation fees, or content you purchased on your account.
Want to learn more about Spectrum? Visit our Spectrum Internet® review for a full breakdown of Spectrum’s internet plans and service options.
How to get your money back from Spectrum with fewer hassles
It’s easy to advertise a money-back guarantee, but for the skeptics, I understand if this raises an obvious question: Will you actually get your cash when you cancel service? I dug into forum posts and social media to see what real Spectrum customers had to say about getting (or having to fight for) their refund.
Return your equipment
Spectrum offers a full catalog of free and rental equipment options, like Wi-Fi routers, modems, and TV boxes, but this gear can bog down your refund if you’re prone to procrastination. Make sure that all your loaned or rented equipment is en route to Spectrum before you hit the 30-day service mark.
You can return Spectrum equipment by going to a local Spectrum or UPS store, sending it back yourself, or requesting a technician pickup if you’re an older customer or physically unable to go to a store.
Mark your dates
Spectrum starts your 30-day refund clock right when your service is installed or activated, so don’t expect flexibility or a prorated bill once your billing cycle restarts.
Keeping good records is also important in case Spectrum runs into paperwork problems. On Reddit, one user managed to solve their refund problem through the power of good recordkeeping:
“Cancelled in August (within 30 days), was told I’d be refunded. Received a bill in September that looked like I was being charged for not returning my equipment even though I did. I called in September and [Spectrum] confirmed the equipment was received […] Then I get an alert from credit karma that I have collections.
[However,] I got refunded and the collection was deleted […] In my complaint I outlined the dates I called (called to cancel within the 30 days and the date [I called] about the incorrect bill which was within 45 days of cancelling).”
Don’t forget to name-drop
When you’re calling Spectrum to cancel your service, make sure to mention their 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. This simple act ensures that your cancellation will get marked for a refund once your account or service is fully closed out.
Is Spectrum’s money-back guarantee worth it?
There are no tricks or loopholes: Spectrum’s 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee means that you’ll get your money if you don’t like your new Spectrum plan. But between equipment returns, processing times, and your existing Spectrum account setup, keep in mind that it’ll take a second for your money to come back to you.
We’d recommend looking into Spectrum’s refund guarantee if you’re an existing or potential Spectrum customer interested in trying out new Spectrum products. If you’re on the fence about Spectrum, the guarantee’s a great way to see if it’s a fit for your household.
Why you should trust us
Our internet experts have spent hundreds of hours testing and researching Spectrum as part of our regular streaming service, internet, and TV coverage. For this service guide, I drew from our existing Spectrum and buying guide coverage to highlight how Spectrum’s refund process works.
I also pulled from our existing customer service help guide coverage for tips on how to help you navigate the ISP cancellation and refund process. Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
