TV Licensing

Gingernutmeg

I don't have a TV and informed the TV licensing people of this as soon as I moved into my current flat. However, I used to get LOADS of letters, literally two to three a week, which got nastier and nastier over time. I also had a really unpleasant visit from an enforcement officer. I didn't answer the door or let him in, but he was rude and threatening and I'd had enough. I'd been ignoring the letters for ages and that was it. I called up the licencing people and got very, very snotty on the phone with them, quoted bits from various acts (malicious communications and protection from harrassment) at them and told the dimwit on the other end of the phone that if I received one more letter or visit from them then I'd call the police and they'd hear from my solicitor. Since that day I haven't had a single letter

However, I'm moving again soon and no doubt it'll all start again ...

valiant

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

........if I received one more letter or visit from them then I'd call the police and they'd hear from my solicitor. Since that day I haven't had a single letter

While I've no doubt that you gave the unfortunate Tubbie at the call-centre an erudite and articulate ear-bashing, I'm sorry to tell you that the reason you've not received any further communication had little to do with that. The Tubbie simply did his/her job and distilled from your diatribe your contention that you didn't have a TV. He/She then moved her mouse a few centimetres and clicked on the 'Customer says he has no TV' box. You will now receive no further communication from them for about twelve months.

You achieved the following:

1) You wasted a significant sum of money on an 0870 premium rate call
2) You wasted your own time (which is probably worth a lot more than that of a Glaswegian Tubbie).
3) You saved TVL money in postage and processing costs in sending you monthly threatening letters over the coming 12 months.
4) You saved TVL costs associated with sending out one of their 'investigators' to your address (albeit you may get one visit in any case).

Why? You have shares in Capita?:rotfl:

superscaper

goshdarnit wrote: »

Letters are sent to EVERY address without a TV licence, whether you inform them or not. You could inform them tomorrow, move out the next day, and then the next occupant won't get a letter, I don't think so.
The assumption is ALL addresses have a tv, and ALL addresses must therefore need a tv licence.

It was only a logical suggestion as to why they requested being informed. :rolleyes: I thought it would be equivalent to having to inform the DVLA even if your car is off the road.

superscaper

valiant wrote: »

While I've no doubt that you gave the unfortunate Tubbie at the call-centre an erudite and articulate ear-bashing, I'm sorry to tell you that the reason you've not received any further communication had little to do with that. The Tubbie simply did his/her job and distilled from your diatribe your contention that you didn't have a TV.

Well they didn't do that the first time they were informed so how do you know it didn't require a threat to action it a second time?

Swan_2

jamie304 wrote: »

Remember, a lot of people think you need a licence for having a DVD player or using a TV to play XBOX etc.. However you only need one if you use, or intened to use, equipment to receive broadcast television programs.

superscaper wrote: »

From TVLA:
What if I only use a TV to watch videos/DVDs/as a monitor for my games console? Do I still need a licence?
You need to notify us in writing that this is the case and one of our Enforcement Officers may need to visit you to confirm that you do not need a licence.

I had a couple of years living on my own & although I did want to play my games & watch DVDs, I didn't want to watch telly

eventually I wrote to TVLA, they kept threatening to send someone round, but in all of that 2 years they never actually bothered to send anyone to check
suited me fine my telly was de-tuned & miles from the taped-up ariel lead, but I still wouldn't have let them past the door

vikingaero

missile wrote: »

It seems they catch most offenders when they buy a TV, apparently your details get forwarded to the TVLA. I got a visit from them. All official and threatening, "we have right of access and demand to see your TV receiving equipment". They were less than happy when I produced a license. Did I get an appology, don't be silly!

I buy several TVs, DVDs etc each year for my extended family - my nan and others wouldn't know what to buy. When asked to fill in the form I just make up a reasonably believable but bordering on the pee-take name and address. For companies that need your name and address for their computer system for records and warranties I just use my own address. They must be wondering why I have about 40 TVs and videos registered to my address!:D

Gingernutmeg

valiant wrote: »

While I've no doubt that you gave the unfortunate Tubbie at the call-centre an erudite and articulate ear-bashing, I'm sorry to tell you that the reason you've not received any further communication had little to do with that. The Tubbie simply did his/her job and distilled from your diatribe your contention that you didn't have a TV. He/She then moved her mouse a few centimetres and clicked on the 'Customer says he has no TV' box. You will now receive no further communication from them for about twelve months.

You achieved the following:

1) You wasted a significant sum of money on an 0870 premium rate call
2) You wasted your own time (which is probably worth a lot more than that of a Glaswegian Tubbie).
3) You saved TVL money in postage and processing costs in sending you monthly threatening letters over the coming 12 months.
4) You saved TVL costs associated with sending out one of their 'investigators' to your address (albeit you may get one visit in any case).

Why? You have shares in Capita?:rotfl:

I don't think that you read my post correctly. I had already called them once, and the main reason that I called them again was because the visit I got was particularly unpleasant and threatening, with the officer hammering on my door and shouting and laughing through the letterbox, without even announcing who he was. I found out after he'd left because he put a card through the door. I don't feel that I should put up with that kind of treatment from anyone. Equally, I wasn't getting monthy letters - the month I rang, I had already received 16 letters, to me that's excessive and constitues harrassment.

Now I am no longer harrassed by visits or letters - regardless of what you think I believe that calling was worth it. I also derived a fair amount of amousement from the fact that I took the name of the girl on the phone and said that she would be part of the charges - untrue, but it scared the bejeezus out of her to the point where she slammed the phone down on me. I suspect that's what galvanised her into action, so I believe that my call had some effect.

vikingaero

computerwoman wrote: »

...also when you buy a tv licence from the post office they send them out to the TVLA once a month so it maybe that they haven't got it yet...

It's no longer possible to buy a TV Licence from the PO anymore. I think Capita just want to collude in the closure of PO branches and screw over loads of old folk. Only way to pay for that piece o' crap licence is:

• Direct Debit
• Credit or Debit card
• TV Licensing Savings card
• PayPoint Outlet
• Cash Easy Entry
• Cheque

dangeroussports

Just pay for your tv licence in advance and stop misbehaving people.

There is no need to whine. Ive never had any letters from the TV licencing people ever. Ive always paid prior.

Some of you seem like the same type who whinge "its pc gawn maaaaad" brigade. ENOUGH!

superscaper

dangeroussports wrote: »

Just pay for your tv licence in advance and stop misbehaving people.

There is no need to whine. Ive never had any letters from the TV licencing people ever. Ive always paid prior.

Some of you seem like the same type who whinge "its pc gawn maaaaad" brigade. ENOUGH!

I must be missing something, I thought most of the posts on here were about when people DIDN'T need a licence. Presumably you're paying for your TV licence because you need one not to specifically stop getting nasty letters and people coming around so it's not really got anything to do with the problems people on this thread are having is it? I've also had quite nasty letters myself when I no longer needed a licence and I informed them of that. All I did was move to an address where there was already a licence in place. So I don't really see how your post helps for these situations at all.