Discussion
AH33 said:
Havent entered into correspondence with them since I moved in 5 years ago.
I've had letters to "the occupier". We have a TV but only for netflix/gaming. I'd have sent them a "no licence needed" letter but then they've got your name, and I saw a video of a guy who'd done exactly the same only to have them turn up for a "check".
They walked into his front room, opened his laptop and went to the iplayer site, showed him BBC1 and went "look, you CAN receive live TV". He ended up being prosecuted. No thanks.
The BBC needs to move to a subscription as soon as possible. I'm sure they would have no problems shifting their 3 decent shows.
Stick this in your blocked sites/firewall/parental controls or what ever suits to block live BBC TV, catchup will still work I've had letters to "the occupier". We have a TV but only for netflix/gaming. I'd have sent them a "no licence needed" letter but then they've got your name, and I saw a video of a guy who'd done exactly the same only to have them turn up for a "check".
They walked into his front room, opened his laptop and went to the iplayer site, showed him BBC1 and went "look, you CAN receive live TV". He ended up being prosecuted. No thanks.
The BBC needs to move to a subscription as soon as possible. I'm sure they would have no problems shifting their 3 decent shows.
a.files.bbci.co.uk
Job done
Cheers
On the other foot, I suspect there are many, many people like me who just ignored the letters for years, and I didn't have a licence.
That was until one evening quite late(about half nine from memory), I got a knock on the door from an enforcement lady (wearing a large I.D. badge around her neck), politely asking if I had a TV as their records showed there weren't any at the house. It was a bit hard to deny as the trailer for what was on next on BBC2 was blaring out behind me!
I just waffled about only moving in recently, and she took payment on a card machine. No fuss, no drama. She seemed happy, I was mildly embarrassed at being caught red handed, and life moved on!
That was until one evening quite late(about half nine from memory), I got a knock on the door from an enforcement lady (wearing a large I.D. badge around her neck), politely asking if I had a TV as their records showed there weren't any at the house. It was a bit hard to deny as the trailer for what was on next on BBC2 was blaring out behind me!
I just waffled about only moving in recently, and she took payment on a card machine. No fuss, no drama. She seemed happy, I was mildly embarrassed at being caught red handed, and life moved on!
eccles said:
On the other foot, I suspect there are many, many people like me who just ignored the letters for years, and I didn't have a licence.
That was until one evening quite late(about half nine from memory), I got a knock on the door from an enforcement lady (wearing a large I.D. badge around her neck), politely asking if I had a TV as their records showed there weren't any at the house. It was a bit hard to deny as the trailer for what was on next on BBC2 was blaring out behind me!
I just waffled about only moving in recently, and she took payment on a card machine. No fuss, no drama. She seemed happy, I was mildly embarrassed at being caught red handed, and life moved on!
Nicely illustrates why the letters & enforcement exist......That was until one evening quite late(about half nine from memory), I got a knock on the door from an enforcement lady (wearing a large I.D. badge around her neck), politely asking if I had a TV as their records showed there weren't any at the house. It was a bit hard to deny as the trailer for what was on next on BBC2 was blaring out behind me!
I just waffled about only moving in recently, and she took payment on a card machine. No fuss, no drama. She seemed happy, I was mildly embarrassed at being caught red handed, and life moved on!
Jazzy Jefferson said:
You do know, if you contact them and explain the situation, they'll stop sending you letters and wont send people round etc?
Hi said:
There is a VERY simple way to stop the letters arriving if you actually read one of the leaflets. There is a very simple process for letting them know that you do not need a TV licence, it can be done online in about 1 minute, the instructions are on the leaflets that you will have had through the door. Once you have done it you won't get any letters for 2 years, after 2 years they will check if your situation is the same or if it has changed.
It couldn't be simpler. I don't see the point in having to go through all the stress of dealing with the people knocking at your door and arguing with them about whether or not they are allowed entry when it can all be avoided by just letting them know you don't need a TV licence.
People baffle me!
I get these letters regularly at work! I ignored the first few, but they started getting more threatening in tone, stating that I was legally obliged to have a license if I had a TV on the premises, and that I MUST contact them and tell them if I did NOT have a TV set.It couldn't be simpler. I don't see the point in having to go through all the stress of dealing with the people knocking at your door and arguing with them about whether or not they are allowed entry when it can all be avoided by just letting them know you don't need a TV licence.
People baffle me!
So I sent them an email saying that they should try and catch me as they promised they would.
The letters stopped for about a year, then started on a new tack.
According to them, there are many new ways to watch TV, and I therefore MUST purchase a TV license, as if a customer watched TV on a smart device on my premises without a license, I would be liable for a fine.
I framed that one, and put it on display just inside the doors at work to the amusement of some of my customers - but most others are appalled at the tone of the letter, which implies I should buy a license just in case somebody watches TV on my premises!
By the way, all of you CAPITA apologists... you MUST reply to this post - it will only take you a couple of minutes of your time, it's not like you have anything better to do with your time!
How much of your time did you waste framing the letter? :P
It is obvious from this thread that I am in the minority in wanting an easy life with as little hassle as possible, everyone else seems to revel in the thought of having or creating an argument because they are technically in the right and the thought of having to answer a simple question is just horrific and abhorrent!
It may well take 2 minutes (maximum) of your time to let them know that you do not require a tv licence, but it seems the preferred option by many is to opt to receive constant reminders, await a potential door knock and have to deal with the capita morons, which will inevitably take up far more of your time.
Each to their own!
It is obvious from this thread that I am in the minority in wanting an easy life with as little hassle as possible, everyone else seems to revel in the thought of having or creating an argument because they are technically in the right and the thought of having to answer a simple question is just horrific and abhorrent!
It may well take 2 minutes (maximum) of your time to let them know that you do not require a tv licence, but it seems the preferred option by many is to opt to receive constant reminders, await a potential door knock and have to deal with the capita morons, which will inevitably take up far more of your time.
Each to their own!
Hi said:
How much of your time did you waste framing the letter? :P
It is obvious from this thread that I am in the minority in wanting an easy life with as little hassle as possible, everyone else seems to revel in the thought of having or creating an argument because they are technically in the right and the thought of having to answer a simple question is just horrific and abhorrent!
It may well take 2 minutes (maximum) of your time to let them know that you do not require a tv licence, but it seems the preferred option by many is to opt to receive constant reminders, await a potential door knock and have to deal with the capita morons, which will inevitably take up far more of your time.
Each to their own!
If you run your own business, you get used to ignoring all the many threatening letters - TV license, Performing Rights, Environment Agency, Health and Safety, Local Council... It is obvious from this thread that I am in the minority in wanting an easy life with as little hassle as possible, everyone else seems to revel in the thought of having or creating an argument because they are technically in the right and the thought of having to answer a simple question is just horrific and abhorrent!
It may well take 2 minutes (maximum) of your time to let them know that you do not require a tv licence, but it seems the preferred option by many is to opt to receive constant reminders, await a potential door knock and have to deal with the capita morons, which will inevitably take up far more of your time.
Each to their own!
I am supposed to display an A5 white sign telling people that it is illegal to smoke on my premises. Why? Every smoker KNOWS they are not allowed, but if they insist on smoking, I can be fined up to £2500, so I have to way up whether it is cheaper to be fined for allowing it, or punished for assaulting them while trying to prevent them smoking!!
As a householder I can fit UPVC windows without asking, but as a business I would have to apply for planning permission - so the planning authority do the occasional check too!
Framing the TV license letter was a good move as it alerted my customers to the idiotic garbage all businesses have to put up with.
15 years ago I had to pay over £100 for a VAT inspector to travel from Newcastle to Staveley in Cumbria unannounced, because we had TWO businesses operating from TWO addresses - Unit 12 and Unit 13, with only the Unit 12 one being Vat registered, and they decided I was probably operating both from the same premises (which isn't allowed) and using a made up Unit 13, as in their experience, a number 13 is unusual for superstitious reasons.
It didn't occur to them to check with the Post Office!
Having lived outside of the UK for 14 years, all I can say about this is that I would gladly pay 150 quid to be able to access the BBC's content in full, rather than suffer the almost without exception sh!te that is made here or bought in, here in NZ. There are a few exceptions (usually BBC series that we may get months later than the UK, and have adverts every 13 minutes), but largely it is utter tripe.
To get a very small percentage of the BBC's TV output I have to subscribe to SKY. In the basic package are UKTV and BBC Knowledge, channels which show BBC (& ITV possibly some Ch4? content) - they are owned by BBC Worldwide. Guess which channels are often watched in our household? Even these channels have adverts breaking up the BBC-sourced programmes.
Only the subscription channels are advert-free and uninterrupted.
You don't know how lucky you are!
To get a very small percentage of the BBC's TV output I have to subscribe to SKY. In the basic package are UKTV and BBC Knowledge, channels which show BBC (& ITV possibly some Ch4? content) - they are owned by BBC Worldwide. Guess which channels are often watched in our household? Even these channels have adverts breaking up the BBC-sourced programmes.
Only the subscription channels are advert-free and uninterrupted.
You don't know how lucky you are!
This Cracker just arrived!
The wording is unacceptable in my view. Threatening of court/guilty before they have any evidence!!
Yes i could end it, by responding, but i don't believe i have a legal responsibility to reply to them?
Also they don't even know my name!, i don't think they can take "the legal occupier" to court
The wording is unacceptable in my view. Threatening of court/guilty before they have any evidence!!
Yes i could end it, by responding, but i don't believe i have a legal responsibility to reply to them?
Also they don't even know my name!, i don't think they can take "the legal occupier" to court
Edited by Bristol spark on Thursday 28th April 10:51
At last one of the few supporters - Dobly.
I am not sure how many complainants have spent anytime living abroad and had to watch television. BBC might well be "dross" but it is a dam sight better than most other places I have watched television. I will stick by the fact that despite overpaid tv 'personalities' and Jimmy Saville (WTF????) and all the other sniping, the BBC does a good job.
The BBC World Service on the radio when abroad, Radio 4 documentaries/current affairs and R2 at home is excellent. They also have BBC news on the internet. Whilst it may be a tv licence the money goes to other areas too.
For those that think they are harassed I think you need to put it into context. 'Junk mail' can be put in the recycle bin (skim read and bin it SIMPLES !) and doorsteppers turned away. If you have nothing to hide then I do not see what the problem is. Maybe some on here know that deep down just because the few programmes they watch are not live morally they have an obligation.
I am sure ex military types will not feel they are harassed. Most of the 'horror' stories on here are a flicker on the 'Giveaf#ckometer'. Low level "I felt threatened/I nearly died/life changing".
Pay up or do not watch or listen to anything from the BBC unless you have bought it on dvd. Not a biggie really. It might well be an out of date model but it is not expensive. It is no worse than financial model for continous insurance verses road tax. Or road tax when selling/buying a private car - another out of date 'scam'.
Nuisance calls and junk mail annoy me but ....BBC really......!!!!????
Pip
I am not sure how many complainants have spent anytime living abroad and had to watch television. BBC might well be "dross" but it is a dam sight better than most other places I have watched television. I will stick by the fact that despite overpaid tv 'personalities' and Jimmy Saville (WTF????) and all the other sniping, the BBC does a good job.
The BBC World Service on the radio when abroad, Radio 4 documentaries/current affairs and R2 at home is excellent. They also have BBC news on the internet. Whilst it may be a tv licence the money goes to other areas too.
For those that think they are harassed I think you need to put it into context. 'Junk mail' can be put in the recycle bin (skim read and bin it SIMPLES !) and doorsteppers turned away. If you have nothing to hide then I do not see what the problem is. Maybe some on here know that deep down just because the few programmes they watch are not live morally they have an obligation.
I am sure ex military types will not feel they are harassed. Most of the 'horror' stories on here are a flicker on the 'Giveaf#ckometer'. Low level "I felt threatened/I nearly died/life changing".
Pay up or do not watch or listen to anything from the BBC unless you have bought it on dvd. Not a biggie really. It might well be an out of date model but it is not expensive. It is no worse than financial model for continous insurance verses road tax. Or road tax when selling/buying a private car - another out of date 'scam'.
Nuisance calls and junk mail annoy me but ....BBC really......!!!!????
Pip
Bristol spark said:
This Cracker just arrived!
The wording is unacceptable in my view. Threatening of court/guilty before they have any evidence!!
Yes i could end it, by responding, but i don't believe i have a legal responsibility to reply to them?
Also they don't even know my name!, i don't think they can take "the legal occupier" to court
You're an idiot.The wording is unacceptable in my view. Threatening of court/guilty before they have any evidence!!
Yes i could end it, by responding, but i don't believe i have a legal responsibility to reply to them?
Also they don't even know my name!, i don't think they can take "the legal occupier" to court
Edited by Bristol spark on Thursday 28th April 10:51
Rather than wasting everyones time and money just grow up and respond.
If you don't like what they are asking of you then blame the people who do watch but don't pay for a license.
Devil2575 said:
You're an idiot.
Rather than wasting everyones time and money just grow up and respond.
If you don't like what they are asking of you then blame the people who do watch but don't pay for a license.
He's an idiot for not paying the TV tax?Rather than wasting everyones time and money just grow up and respond.
If you don't like what they are asking of you then blame the people who do watch but don't pay for a license.
I'm glad he's wasting Capita's time and money. If this makes "the taxpayer" angry then maybe they can pressure the govt to move the BBC to a subscription service asap, then you can all feel better for being so obedient and propping up the tired old beeb.
AH33 said:
Bristol spark said:
This Cracker just arrived!
I think I have about 6 of those 
I have a license for my home, and not for work... I don't watch TV at work, I... work, so to keep sending them to a business is not on.. a simple reminder maybe, but to harass people for NOT needing to do something..?
It is the equivalent to DVLA contacting non drivers and threatening to take them to court for driving without a license!
Why should anyone put up with it!
AH33 said:
Devil2575 said:
You're an idiot.
Rather than wasting everyones time and money just grow up and respond.
If you don't like what they are asking of you then blame the people who do watch but don't pay for a license.
He's an idiot for not paying the TV tax?Rather than wasting everyones time and money just grow up and respond.
If you don't like what they are asking of you then blame the people who do watch but don't pay for a license.
I'm glad he's wasting Capita's time and money. If this makes "the taxpayer" angry then maybe they can pressure the govt to move the BBC to a subscription service asap, then you can all feel better for being so obedient and propping up the tired old beeb.
I don't feel obedient at all thanks.
I feel happy that we have a national broadcaster that is generally the evny of the world.
The only people who tend to have a problem with it are those that don't like it when the facts get in the way of their idiology or those that think that bias is allowing anyone who doesn't parrot their brand of b
ks a voice.If the BBC is so well respected and consistently puts out programmes of a high standard then it should be able to pick up a lot of subscribers who are willing to pay the same £12 a month then?
I don't even see why it's a debate. Let those that are willing to pay, pay. A "TV tax" in the 21st century is just....
I don't even see why it's a debate. Let those that are willing to pay, pay. A "TV tax" in the 21st century is just....
Bristol spark said:
This Cracker just arrived!
The wording is unacceptable in my view. Threatening of court/guilty before they have any evidence!!
Yes i could end it, by responding, but i don't believe i have a legal responsibility to reply to them?
Also they don't even know my name!, i don't think they can take "the legal occupier" to court
Mate you need to be doing the following without delay....The wording is unacceptable in my view. Threatening of court/guilty before they have any evidence!!
Yes i could end it, by responding, but i don't believe i have a legal responsibility to reply to them?
Also they don't even know my name!, i don't think they can take "the legal occupier" to court
Edited by Bristol spark on Thursday 28th April 10:51
1: put the kettle on and make yourself a nice cup of tea.
2: take that custard cream and a few more, dunk, eat and relax.
3: whilst relaxing listen to your shredder chomping on that letter.
4: take no notice of spineless fuc wits that call you an idiot.
AH33 said:
Devil2575 said:
You're an idiot.
Rather than wasting everyones time and money just grow up and respond.
If you don't like what they are asking of you then blame the people who do watch but don't pay for a license.
He's an idiot for not paying the TV tax?Rather than wasting everyones time and money just grow up and respond.
If you don't like what they are asking of you then blame the people who do watch but don't pay for a license.
I'm glad he's wasting Capita's time and money. If this makes "the taxpayer" angry then maybe they can pressure the govt to move the BBC to a subscription service asap, then you can all feel better for being so obedient and propping up the tired old beeb.
as is typical for PH , it;s ended up with those blind to their own confirmation bias making a faulty ideological point instead of taking a few seconds to deal with it properly...
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