TV Licensing - Why so difficult to renew?

Cornucopia

MrsWenger wrote: »

Thanks for this suggestion Cornucopia. I did in fact ask if I could do that when the licence expired when I spoke to them early September. They said I shouldn't do that as i already have a licence number. Does that make sense to you please?

I don't know their process in that much detail, I'm afraid. I thought that the Licence number just referred to your address, but I could be wrong. TBH, at this stage, I'd be trying it anyway just to avoid further queuing on the phone.

In answer to your other question: Capita is a major outsourcer who operate services on behalf of many Government organisations - in this case, the BBC.

MothballsWallet

pogofish wrote: »

You do understand that Capita needs to make money?

From what I've heard, their CEO is a few months behind on his car payments

MrsWenger

Cornucopia wrote: »

I don't know their process in that much detail, I'm afraid. I thought that the Licence number just referred to your address, but I could be wrong. TBH, at this stage, I'd be trying it anyway just to avoid further queuing on the phone.

In answer to your other question: Capita is a major outsourcer who operate services on behalf of many Government organisations - in this case, the BBC.

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it.

Crikey, outsourced to and offering a poor service, they must have a lot of work to be so complacent with this contract...

Cornucopia

There are issues around many of these types of outsourcing arrangements. Typically, neither the public authority or the outsourcer has any incentive to provide anything other than a barely adequate service.

In the case of BBC/TVL/Capita, that is further complicated by the non-accountability of the BBC and the lack of legal powers involved in enforcing the Licence (work which is also undertaken by Capita).

MrsWenger

That is very interesting, I didn't realise that was the basis of the arrangement; thanks again for the information.

MrsWenger

So, yet another day of saving money on outbound calls for Capita then!

Tried to login and pay online, I have to call due "to the status of my licence." I really should have known better, but I did it. "Licence number not recognised..." Asked for post code and address, "sorry not recognised." If address is not recognised I shouldn't need a licence right?

I just did an application for a new one in the end. I do hope I haven't confused them when they get around to calling me back!