TV Licence article Discussion

Belenus

Put the letters in your recycling bin without opening them.

Cornucopia

oldcodger69 said:

... The address OFCOM offer is...TV Licensing!  Does anybody know if there is any Authority that they answer to?. 

As Watchkeeper says, they are a part of the BBC, and they answer only to the BBC.   This is the root of all the issues - there is no regulator to keep them in check, and no regulator to which people can complain.

There are only two options, really:   1) complain to the BBC (although at the moment TV Licensing is dealing with these complaints, so somewhat pointless(*)), and 2) complain to your MP (this is a bit of a waste of their time, but really is the most effective option, especially if your complaint is a basic practical issue).  

Complaining to MPs also keeps TV Licensing within their radar and may ultimately influence questions in the House and in Select Committees.  


(*) if you just want the letters to stop, though, that's the easiest way.

cw18

Belenus said:

Or write 'return to sender' on them and post them back. If that costs them enough money they may reconsider their approach.

Unfortunately that doesn't cost them a penny.   All costs incurred by putting said letters through the postal system a second time are carried by Royal Mail.    The recipient is only asked for a payment if the envelope carries no postage, so you could pop them into another envelope and write the return address on the outside without putting a stamp on.   But if they then refuse to pay the fee Royal Mail is even further out of pocket (admin costs of trying to collect the fee), and will become even further out of pocket when they send it to an office to be opened to see if they can determine where it was sent from (you) and then return it to you - still with a demand for outstanding postage to be paid.

This all eats into the Royal Mail profits, and means there's less available for us posties to fight for as a pay rise (and/or helps Royal Mail justify an increase in the price of postage).    So I would respectfully request you just pop them into your recycling bin - or hold onto them until a representative comes calling, when you can return them in person.

FreeBear

cw18 said:  or hold onto them until a representative comes calling, when you can return them in person.

I currently have about five years worth sitting by the door. Probably due a visit once lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Cornucopia

cw18 said:

Unfortunately that doesn't cost them a penny.   All costs incurred by putting said letters through the postal system a second time are carried by Royal Mail... 

I appreciate your personal involvement in the issue.  However, the BBC sends 30-40 million enforcement letters a year.  Arguably, it's business that Royal Mail should refuse for the good of the country because of its dishonesty and threatening content.

If they are going to carry it, and a meaningful proportion was being returned (say 10 million items), do you think RM would have words with the BBC about it?

cw18

FreeBear said:

I currently have about five years worth sitting by the door. Probably due a visit once lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Coming up on three years for me (I signed the declaration for years before then).    I had a visit near the start of that time, but I missed it (by about 10 minutes) as it was on a working day.   I was left a business card informing me they'd call again - I'm still waiting.

Cornucopia said:

I appreciate your personal involvement in the issue.  However, the BBC sends 30-40 million enforcement letters a year.  Arguably, it's business that Royal Mail should refuse for the good of the country because of its dishonesty and threatening content.

If they are going to carry it, and a meaningful proportion was being returned (say 10 million items), do you think RM would have words with the BBC about it?

Unfortunately I doubt it.     But you've now got me thinking......

They're supposed to take notice of claims that we're delivering Spam mail that could cause people to fraudulently hand over their money, and investigate such claims.     I'm guessing that could be claimed of  these letters?????    Perhaps if people started to complain to RM that they feel this letters are threatening and demanding money that isn't owed to them they would have to at least give lip service to an investigation.   That would cost them money and presumably include them speaking to Crapita/TVL/whatever they're calling themselves this week.

Belenus

cw18 said:

Belenus said:

Or write 'return to sender' on them and post them back. If that costs them enough money they may reconsider their approach.

Unfortunately that doesn't cost them a penny. 

Thanks cw18. I have amended my original post.

smarttips

Am I the only frustrated that I have to pay for the TV License even though I can't access the content I wish to view when travelling overseas? If I log in to the BBC portal and their website is secure, surely I should be able to view content I've paid for through the license wherever I am, whether travelling on business or on vacation overseas. Otherwise, we should receive credits for the days we are out of the UK since they are clearly aware and surely that would only be fair and reasonable. 

Mickey666

You can use a VPN:  https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/entertainment/watch-bbc-iplayer-abroad-3512135/

As for receiving credits when out of the UK, it's not the BBC's fault you choose to go abroad and it would be a dangerous precedent to set in terms of other services such as council tax, VED tax, etc, so I wouldn't hold your breath.

Nick_C

I found iPlayer wouldn't work if you used a VPN last time I tried.

Ditch the BBC. You can watch Netflix anywhere in the world AFAIK, or suspend your monthly Netflix or Now TV subscription if you are going away for a long trip abroad.