When the TV enforcement officer knocks the door. .

@destry (2572)
Kirkwall, Scotland
October 28, 2015 4:07am CST
Last night we had a knock on the door from the TV license people! Oh wow was I scared (not) Here, in the UK if you watch LIVE television, you need to pay the BBC £145 a year for the privilege. However, if you watch things on demand or catch up - you don't need to pay. We do not watch live television - it is more convenient for us to watch the programmes when we want to and not "live". Anyway, we had a knock on the door last night with one of their 'enforcement officers' wanting to know why we didn't have a license, and wanting to come in to inspect our tv to make sure we can't get live channels. . "On your bike" I told him, as he has absolutely no right to enter my property - he is nothing more than a double glazing salesman. Blah blah blah he said, talking a load of waffle and trying to intimidate me. To which I retorted with a "Foxtrot Oscar", and closed the door in his face. I really hate these people. Chances are, he will now try to fabricate some evidence and take me to court. . .
3 people like this
3 responses
Boingboing
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
28 Oct 15
I just got rid of my TV license at the flat I use when I'm working. I only stay there about 40 days a year and it was just ridiculous to pay so much. I bought a Kindle Fire stick and use that for IPlayer and Amazon prime. But I unplugged the arial cable in case they turn up. Added to which there are no batteries in the door bell so I wish them luck trying to get in.
1 person likes this
Happy Homestead
@destry (2572)
• Kirkwall, Scotland
28 Oct 15
These people really annoy me! Your flat will be bombarded with letters threatening to take you to court and how they are watching you! I feel sorry for people who are sucked in by their waffle and just let them into their homes. Would they let a double glazing salesman in?
Boingboing
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
28 Oct 15
@destry I've had that before. When I first got the flat about 8 years ago I didn't have a TV for a couple of years and I got really peed off with all the letters. These days I think they are more aware of catch up TV which wasn't so popular back then.
1 person likes this
Happy Homestead
@destry (2572)
• Kirkwall, Scotland
28 Oct 15
@boiboing Thats true - the bbc does really need to look at how they are funded - a subscription service would be far better then their current methods!
rebel_woman06
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
28 Oct 15
I suppose you don't have a closed gate that they can just easily be near your door . Here in the Philippines , we have gates and the dogs will really bark hard when there's someone near the gate .
1 person likes this
rebel_woman06
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
28 Oct 15
@destry Yes, i have seen on movies that in some countries they don't have gates or their perimeters are not enclosed with gates .
1 person likes this
Happy Homestead
@destry (2572)
• Kirkwall, Scotland
28 Oct 15
@SIMPLYD We don't tend to do big gates here in the UK - land is expensive so we have more houses crammed into a smaller space.
1 person likes this
Happy Homestead
@destry (2572)
• Kirkwall, Scotland
28 Oct 15
Afraid we don't, the road leads to the garden which leads to the door!
1 person likes this
Saminac
@Sainac (16)
• Pakistan
28 Oct 15
If I compare it with my local currency that is big amount for a year. But we pay for our TV cable $5 per month. That is convenient to us
1 person likes this
Happy Homestead
@destry (2572)
• Kirkwall, Scotland
28 Oct 15
But I bet you can choose to pay your cable - and if you don't want to use it they won't come knocking on your door demanding it