|
|
Post by doghouseriley on Jan 15, 2021 15:56:13 GMT
Back in the day, I used to pay for my TV licence, by direct debit monthly.
Then for a few years, when I became 75, the licence fee was abolished.
Not long after, the BBC reneged on the deal struck with the government to provide free licences for the over 75s in exchange for an increase in the four billion pounds each year they were already enjoying.
So when I got the demand for my licence last year, (please pay annually or in six instalments by direct debit) I wrote them and said, as they'd gone back on their promise, I was going to revert to paying monthly, but this time I was going to pay by cheque.
They sent the first couple of cheques back, which I just stuck in the handy pre-paid envelope they kindly supplied and were expecting me to send a cheque for £157 instead and returned them to them. I've continued to send cheques for £13.13 each month (well in advance) and they've been cashing them. They knew they had no choice.
They can hardly sue me for "causing them a bt of clerical inconvenience," (my intention)
Today I received a letter from them, "welcoming me to the 75 plus payment plan" together with this card.
I'm told I can take it to any paypoint and pay £26.26 on my debit card from February 1st, for six months.
Because they think we're all senile, they also enclosed this handy sheet where I can enter the payments in case I forget to make them.
I'm amazed they can think up so many ways, other than the quality and content of a lot of the programmes they provide, to insult your intelligence.
"I put it down to them employing too many graduates devoid of any common sense."
It's all gone in the bin.
They are still going to get the cheques for £13.13 each month.
|
|
|
|
Post by Barbara on Jan 15, 2021 16:12:48 GMT
Good for you doghouseriley, I might start doing that when I get to 75, if we all do just think how often they will have to get off the comfy chairs and go the the bank  . |
|
|
|
Post by doghouseriley on Jan 15, 2021 16:36:24 GMT
Good for you doghouseriley , I might start doing that when I get to 75, if we all do just think how often they will have to get off the comfy chairs and go the the bank . Thanks for that.
We're paying for a lot of rubbish lately, most of daytime TV in my opinion, is just cheap to make "schedule fillers." and repeats. Generally a lot of the programmes, particularly documentaries have the same old faces presenting them, year in year out. With some, I see the name in the title (if it's not Attenborough, that's a bad sign) and it's enough to make me not want to watch and don't get me started on Gary Linaker, how the BBC can justify his pay, considering what he does is beyond me.
Even the announcement about those people they made a point of saying they've reduced their pay, doesn't impress me, I would imagine they'll just increase their expenses allowances to compensate.
Waste is inherent at the BBC I remember many years ago, a rival channel interviewed Frankie Howerd. During the conversation, he mentioned his being the subject of "Desert Island Discs." At the time, Howerd's career was a bit in the doldrums and being on such a popular radio show, would have helped revive his flagging career, so he would have jumped at the chance.
Did Roy Plumley invite him to his plush Thames-side office (I know it was) to discuss the programme?
No, he said Plumley took him to dinner at the Ivy.
"We paid."
|
|
.