Equipment return - mixed information from ATT and Uverse

I was having problems with my recordings.  After a troubleshooting and being a couple of times by Uverse phone tech, a tech told me DVR (which is at least a few years old) needed to be replaced. He placed the order for me to receive a replacement DVR.  I ask him did I need to return my current DVR.  He said NO.  I asked him again because there have been times when I have had to return equipment and on other occasions ATT/Uverse says to dispose of it.     I asked tech again.  He said my DVR model was old and that I could dispose of it.   

It is a good thing I did not throw it away.   A few weeks later I received a letter from ATT saying they had not received the equipment that was to be returned and if I did not return it I would be billed for it.  I called ATT.  I explained to the rep what the Uverse tech told me. The rep emphatically told me that is not correct and if I did not return the equipment I will be billed for it. 

I returned it, however, what if I had not held on to it?  ATT would have billed me.  They need to all be on the same page.