JUSTtheTalk forum member SharkPatoo recounts their experiences of dealing with TV Licensing on behalf of a confused, elderly neighbour receiving an unnecessary stream of threatograms.
____________________
I have just spent a bizarre 10 minutes trying to explain that my elderly neighbour:
1. Is very ill.
2. Never at the property they keep writing to and have threatened to investigate a dozen times.
3. DOES NOT HAVE A TV.
4. Is old enough not to need a TV licence for the TV he DOESN'T HAVE.
Apparently their system cannot cope with this and he will be threatened for the foreseeable future as they urgently need to talk to a dying man to make sure he understands that he would need to buy a TV licence for the TV he doesn't have if he had a TV, which he doesn't.
What the fuck is wrong with these people?
____________________1. Is very ill.
2. Never at the property they keep writing to and have threatened to investigate a dozen times.
3. DOES NOT HAVE A TV.
4. Is old enough not to need a TV licence for the TV he DOESN'T HAVE.
Apparently their system cannot cope with this and he will be threatened for the foreseeable future as they urgently need to talk to a dying man to make sure he understands that he would need to buy a TV licence for the TV he doesn't have if he had a TV, which he doesn't.
What the fuck is wrong with these people?
In short, TV Licensing is dishonest, money-grabbing scum.
TV Licensing doesn't care who it harasses, whether they have the legal need for a TV licence or not. As SharkPatoo's experience further demonstrates, trying to assist TV Licensing - which no legally-licence-free person is obliged or recommended to do - is a totally wasted effort.
Best to ignore TV Licensing completely. Put its threatograms straight in the bin and close the door firmly on any TV Licensing goons that visit.
2 comments:
In this case, ignoring the letters is the rational answer. Let them waste their time and money. Alternatively the person could get onto the next-of-kin of the elderly gentleman and get them to put in a complaint in writing and compensation demand. The magic words would be 'I'm contacting my MP/Daily Mail/lawyer'. I expect then the problem would disappear.
Here's the way they used to write to people in the 1920's:
(from http://www.radiolicence.org.uk/reminders.html)
Sir (or Madam),
Referring to my letter of 20th Ultimo reminding you of the expiration of the licence for your Wireless Receiving Station, I beg to state that there is no trace of a reply having been received from you, or of a new licence having been taken out.
I am, accordingly, to request that you will give the matter your immediate attention; and if it is not intended to maintain the Station you will perhaps be so good as to notify me whether your apparatus and aerial have been dismantled.
Signed by 'Your obedient Servant', Postmaster.
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