Do I need to inform that I don't need a TV licence?

MikeJXE

Cornucopia said:

Nick_C said:

Cornucopia said:

Chief_of_Staffy said:

I purposely don't tell them because every time they send me a letter, or come to my door (it only happened once and I wasn't in, but they hand-delivered a 'missed you' note) it costs them money. Long may I continue to waste the BBC's money.

There's also the possibility of returning BBC/TVL letters.    Presumably that costs someone something, and it costs you nothing.    Probably best done when the letters don't have your name on them.

Cornucopia said:

Chief_of_Staffy said:

I purposely don't tell them because every time they send me a letter, or come to my door (it only happened once and I wasn't in, but they hand-delivered a 'missed you' note) it costs them money. Long may I continue to waste the BBC's money.

There's also the possibility of returning BBC/TVL letters.    Presumably that costs someone something, and it costs you nothing.    Probably best done when the letters don't have your name on them.

Great idea!  I wish I had thought of that.  People should encourage that more widely.  It would cost the BBC twice as much to send their annoying letters.

In previous discussions, it's been unclear whether this is a cost to the BBC, their contractors or Royal Mail.   Nevertheless, it's something that is clearly going to be costing someone something, both for the cost of returning letters and disposing of them in a secure way that reflects the possible inclusion of personal information.

Who ever pays the cost it still comes back to the general population either by more expensive tv licence, stamps or something else 

Just like shoplifting the customer pays 

Cornucopia

MikeJXE said:

Cornucopia said:

Nick_C said:

Cornucopia said:

Chief_of_Staffy said:

I purposely don't tell them because every time they send me a letter, or come to my door (it only happened once and I wasn't in, but they hand-delivered a 'missed you' note) it costs them money. Long may I continue to waste the BBC's money.

There's also the possibility of returning BBC/TVL letters.    Presumably that costs someone something, and it costs you nothing.    Probably best done when the letters don't have your name on them.

Cornucopia said:

Chief_of_Staffy said:

I purposely don't tell them because every time they send me a letter, or come to my door (it only happened once and I wasn't in, but they hand-delivered a 'missed you' note) it costs them money. Long may I continue to waste the BBC's money.

There's also the possibility of returning BBC/TVL letters.    Presumably that costs someone something, and it costs you nothing.    Probably best done when the letters don't have your name on them.

Great idea!  I wish I had thought of that.  People should encourage that more widely.  It would cost the BBC twice as much to send their annoying letters.

In previous discussions, it's been unclear whether this is a cost to the BBC, their contractors or Royal Mail.   Nevertheless, it's something that is clearly going to be costing someone something, both for the cost of returning letters and disposing of them in a secure way that reflects the possible inclusion of personal information.

Who ever pays the cost it still comes back to the general population either by more expensive tv licence, stamps or something else 

Just like shoplifting the customer pays 

Or, the BBC could be honest with the Public and give them an easy opt-out from the letters, which are not a legal requirement.

Chief_of_Staffy

Cornucopia said:

MikeJXE said:

Cornucopia said:

Nick_C said:

Cornucopia said:

Chief_of_Staffy said:

I purposely don't tell them because every time they send me a letter, or come to my door (it only happened once and I wasn't in, but they hand-delivered a 'missed you' note) it costs them money. Long may I continue to waste the BBC's money.

There's also the possibility of returning BBC/TVL letters.    Presumably that costs someone something, and it costs you nothing.    Probably best done when the letters don't have your name on them.

Cornucopia said:

Chief_of_Staffy said:

I purposely don't tell them because every time they send me a letter, or come to my door (it only happened once and I wasn't in, but they hand-delivered a 'missed you' note) it costs them money. Long may I continue to waste the BBC's money.

There's also the possibility of returning BBC/TVL letters.    Presumably that costs someone something, and it costs you nothing.    Probably best done when the letters don't have your name on them.

Great idea!  I wish I had thought of that.  People should encourage that more widely.  It would cost the BBC twice as much to send their annoying letters.

In previous discussions, it's been unclear whether this is a cost to the BBC, their contractors or Royal Mail.   Nevertheless, it's something that is clearly going to be costing someone something, both for the cost of returning letters and disposing of them in a secure way that reflects the possible inclusion of personal information.

Who ever pays the cost it still comes back to the general population either by more expensive tv licence, stamps or something else 

Just like shoplifting the customer pays 

Or, the BBC could be honest with the Public...

I think I've spotted a flaw in that plan.

Cornucopia

I don't know what new horror the BBC and the Government are going to come up with to fund the BBC... but one thing I am sure about is that when the public do literally anything within the law to deal with what we have now, that can never be wrong.   

If the BBC don't want their letters back then don't send them - it really is that easy.

To have it any other way is akin to allowing Tesco to raise their prices to fund writing to people demanding that they don't go to Sainsburys.

mta999

I heard some time ago (although I have no source) that the Royal Mail simply bin 'returned to sender' envelopes to TVL as that is what has been agreed between them and TVL.

Nelumbo

I do not need a tv licence and want to cancel, put if off too long as don't want to be hassled, and don't want people knocking on my door (live on my own), but I do not need it!

I'm unsure whether to do the online declaration form as people say it gives them your info and you essentially agree to a visit (though I know you don't have to let them in), however they already have my information, my email and my name, so it shouldn't matter? 

If I just cancel my monthly direct debit what will happen then? Are they more likely to bother me?

Others say doing the form means might get refund, but I don't think this is the case as I pay monthly, unless I can backdate the date I haven't needed it?

mta999

As far as I am aware whether you fill the form in or not makes no difference to whether you get to visit so ignore that part of your question

Yes if you fill the form then you will not get a lot of letters asking you to buy a license so from that point if you it may be worth doing. I certainly do as it doesn't take long.

If you pay monthly then you will probably have paid six months in advance as this is part of the pay monthly scheme so you will get that back so worth applying for a refund

Cornucopia

Nelumbo said:

I do not need a tv licence and want to cancel, put if off too long as don't want to be hassled, and don't want people knocking on my door (live on my own), but I do not need it!

I'm unsure whether to do the online declaration form as people say it gives them your info and you essentially agree to a visit (though I know you don't have to let them in), however they already have my information, my email and my name, so it shouldn't matter? 

Whether you complete the No Licence Needed form (or do the same thing on the phone) doesn't matter that much to the overall outcome.    In any case, BBC/TVL can't harass you as such, and if you feel harassed it will likely be because they have said things to you that aren't true and you have believed them.

Personally, I think that the promise to treat people more harshly if a case is made against them after they have completed No Licence Needed is so illiberal and counter-productive as to deter me from doing it.

Nelumbo said:

If I just cancel my monthly direct debit what will happen then? Are they more likely to bother me?

I would advise not doing this - if you currently pay by DD, it's best to contact them (by phone, e-mail or letter) to properly cancel it.   I don't know what their current policy is, but in the past they have submitted cancelled DDs to debt collectors.

Nelumbo said:

Others say doing the form means might get refund, but I don't think this is the case as I pay monthly, unless I can backdate the date I haven't needed it?

If you have been paying by the standard monthly DD scheme for at least 6 months, and your account is paid up to date, then you will have around 6 months credit on your account (about £85) that can potentially be refunded to you if/when you cancel your Licence.   

Cornucopia

mta999 said:

I heard some time ago (although I have no source) that the Royal Mail simply bin 'returned to sender' envelopes to TVL as that is what has been agreed between them and TVL.

I'm quite happy for them to be disposed of in a way that respects data security and environmental concerns.  Perhaps they could be incinerated in some kind of power or heating plant?

But before we get to that stage, I think we really have to question the wisdom of the BBC's contractor sending 41 million such letters per year.

B0bbyEwing

Out of interest, what's so special about BBC player that you need a licence? 

No need for it, C4 or C5 catchup etc but iPlayer you do. 

Why that and not the others?