TV Licence Inspectors

firefly08 · 21-03-2011 09:26PM

+1 For god's sake whatever you do don't buy the license. By the looks of some of the replies here you are one of the last few people left in Ireland with balls.

Put the TV in someone else's house and if they come around again make a complaint for harassment, maybe you can even sue.

Il Trap · 21-03-2011 09:27PM

Received a letter today saying that an inspector called and observed a TV. Nobody called to the door while I was in so assume the cnuts are lying or peeped through the window. Says I have seven days to get one or they will initiate legal procedings. Really can't afford to pay for one for the next few weeks. Totally resent the idea of having to divert my already weak cash flow to pay the bastards their blood money!

Eric Cartman · 21-03-2011 09:29PM

if they showed up for the search and you bought one that day could you be done in court ? im awaiting that search threat letter for a few months , they got my name off a business card on my car dashboard

, may aswell waste their and garda resources and as much of their time and money as possible if im to pay it

the groutch · 21-03-2011 09:32PM

a licence inspector (or even a Garda) isnt allowed inside your property without a warrant. the only people allowed inside your property without a warrant are Customs and Excise.

the risk you take ignoring these letters/warnings is if they do eventually obtain a warrant, then you're up jacob's creek without a paddle

UsernameInUse · 21-03-2011 09:40PM

bluewolf wrote: »

You're such a rebel :rolleyes:

buy the licence

Why should be pay for something he doesn't use?!

There are some of us Irish that don't just roll over on command.

21-03-2011 09:41PM

If they call to your house, just bring them in and ask do they want tea. They'll notice the TV and follow up with;

"Yeah, Garda, just got her new there, last night. Sale on in D.I.D and picked it up with a good discount.

Was handy enough, though, because I actually made a complaint about the store via email to their customer service representatives, as I went in to buy a laptop the week before hand and the guy was just giving me a very rude and arrogant hard sale.

Didn't like it at all, but sure i'd rather complain than say nothing. Anyway, they were grand, and sent me out a €20 voucher for the shop. So I seen the TV i wanted, and luckily enough, Power City were only carrying the same one, but much cheaper. So I printed out the Power City online price and brought it to D.I.D who price matched it. With the addition of the €20 voucher I made quite a saving, in the end, actually.

Well, anyway, I haven't noticed any trouble around here at all, but if I hear of anyone selling dodgy stuff around the houses, I'll let you know.

By the time you're done talking, they'll have completely forgotten what they came in for and think they were asking you about stolen goods or something.

In the time it takes them to realise, you'll have been able to clear your house out and move in somewhere else.

Problem = Solved!

CiaranC · 21-03-2011 09:47PM

Dont pay OP, worst case scenario you'll do a night or two in the joy. **** them.

faw1tytowers · 21-03-2011 10:06PM

aligator_am wrote: »

Have found this is the easiest way to go about it tbh, also helps that you don't have to fork out €160 in one go.

And just in case they do call at the door before you get the licence try this :pac::pac::pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqG4ysu2ksU

but thats my point i pay 13.33 a month via dd.

Vicxas · 21-03-2011 10:07PM

Tv Licenece is the biggest load of rip... it pays for RTE.... great.... but who watches RTE...

stovelid · 21-03-2011 10:08PM

I was expecting a reduction in the license fee this year as Gerry Ryan's cocaine outlay is off the RTE outgoing expenditure now.

BrianD3 · 21-03-2011 10:15PM

I don't have a TV or any receivers in one of my houses. I regularly get the calling cards from the licence inspectors addressed to The Occupant. Dunno how they can't get my name from the post that comes to the house, maybe the TV licence dept of An Post doesn't communicate with the letter dept.

The last card I got had a box ticked on it for "aerial observed". Now seeing as I don't have an aerial or dish I don't know why that box was ticked. With the way the neighbours have their dish mounted, a half blind imbecile *might* possibly think it was on my house. Either that or it was some sort of bluff.

If you are trying to avoid paying the licence and don't answer the door what are they going to do, break it down? These days many people have peepholes and don't answer the door if they're not sure what its about. If I hear the doorbell ring when I'm not expecting someone I assume it's someone selling crap, the Jehovah witnesses or a TV licence inspector. None of whom I've any interest in opening the door to.

Supraman · 21-03-2011 10:23PM

The tv licence crowd get names and addresses from the likes of Chorus and Sky which obviously have customer databases.

manlad · 21-03-2011 10:26PM

I was up in court in October for having no t.v license.

Lived on dcu campus last year, the building I lived in had one t.v between 400 ppl. Tv man came to my door, I stupidly gave him my name. Biggest mistake, once they have your name your caught. I ignored any letter I received. Then got the courts summons. I went to court and spent the day there watching the judge hand out fines to hundreds of people, no excuse and no say in the matter. it came to be but I had a barristor as I didnt think it fair I should be held responsible for a t.v I didnt own or watch shared by a building full of people. I luckily got off but only because I had a barristor cousin to speak for me.

My Advice- Just buy a licence and if your too cheap, do not give them your name. But I know in the future I will just get the licence, if it shared among a few people it'll only cost you a couple of quid.

Mike 1972 · 21-03-2011 10:26PM

BrianD3 wrote: »

The last card I got had a box ticked on it for "aerial observed". Now seeing as I don't have an aerial or dish I don't know why that box was ticked..

Even if you did it could be for FM radio or broadband or it could be an old one erected by previous occupants or a landlord.

manlad wrote: »

I luckily got off but only because I had a barristor cousin to speak for me..

Given that the court ruled in your favour you should have been able to apply for costs surely ?

oppenheimer1 · 21-03-2011 10:29PM

Mike 1972 wrote: »

Even if you did it could be for FM radio or broadband or it could be an old one erected by previous occupants or a landlord.

Straws... must clutch....

Jaysus I'd say you wouldn't give the steam of your piss if you thought it was worth something

Mike 1972 · 21-03-2011 10:33PM

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Straws... must clutch....

There is an aerial for FM radio on the house Im sitting in right now. I put it up myself. Theres two other houses on my street have them as well.

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Jaysus I'd say you wouldn't give the steam of your piss if you thought it was worth something

Your point being ?

easyeason3 · 21-03-2011 10:34PM

Having dodged the TV inspector for many years I opened my front door one evening just as he was about to ring the doorbell. Caught by the short & curlies.
Long story short I was about to move to a new house within a month so I just told him I was actually emigrating the following week & as far as I knew the landlord didn't have anyone else lined up to move in.
He bought my cock & bull story & that was the end of it.

Supraman · 21-03-2011 10:35PM

Some info on citizens advice

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/media/tv_licences.html

Mike 1972 · 21-03-2011 10:37PM

Supraman wrote: »

Some info on citizens advice

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/media/tv_licences.html

Bulls*1t

Even if the television or other equipment is broken and currently unable to receive a signal, it is regarded as capable of being repaired so it can receive a signal and you must hold a licence for it.

easyeason3 wrote: »

I opened my front door one evening just as he was about to ring the doorbell. Caught by the short & curlies..

A better trick is just say "sorry mate on the way out" closing the door after you. If they attempt to question you just say "cant speak now in a hurry" as you jump into the car and speed off leaving them standing in a cloud of dust.

BrianD3 · 21-03-2011 10:37PM

easyeason3 wrote: »

Having dodged the TV inspector for many years I opened my front door one evening just as he was about to ring the doorbell. Caught by the short & curlies.
Long story short I was about to move to a new house within a month so I just told him I was actually emigrating the following week & as far as I knew the landlord didn't have anyone else lined up to move in.
He bought my cock & bull story & that was the end of it.

They've heard all the excuses and some of them work.

OutlawPete · 21-03-2011 10:39PM

My TV's dead, they can fuck off!!!

easyeason3 · 21-03-2011 10:41PM

BrianD3 wrote: »

They've heard all the excuses and some of them work.

Well it worked for me anyway

Ah I knew by looking at him his heart wasn't in it. It was around 7ish in the evening so God only knows that crap that was spouted at him during the day.

He was pissed off having such a crap job, I was pissed off I managed to get myself caught. We went through the motions & parted ways. Happy days.

oppenheimer1 · 21-03-2011 10:43PM

Mike 1972 wrote: »

There is an aerial for FM radio on the house Im sitting in right now. I put it up myself. Theres two other houses on my street have them as well.

Your point being ?

My point being that you should perhaps consider changing your location to the breffni county

Mike 1972 · 21-03-2011 10:46PM

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

My point being that you should perhaps consider changing your location to the breffni county

Perhaps you should change your location to somewhere back up your own hole :rolleyes:

Savage Tyrant · 21-03-2011 10:54PM

A few years back while living up in Co.Down, I was brought to court for no TV Licence. Got a £250 fine, which I ignored. Got 14 days in Maghaberry. Did 7 days....Piece of piss. Headrest.
12 months later, £500 fine for no TV Licence. Shock horror.... 14 days in Maghaberry dished out again for non-payment. Did 7. Even less deterrent the second time.

eilo1 · 21-03-2011 10:56PM

Supraman wrote: »

The tv licence crowd get names and addresses from the likes of Chorus and Sky which obviously have customer databases.

I dont think they do, data protection and all that.
In the UK if you go into currys to buy a tv they are obliged to take your post code. They wouldnt sell me mine till I gave them one a couple of years ago, :mad:

Thankfully here in Ireland they cant do anything with out your name.

OP Iv never seen or heard of a letter like that, it would put the woolies up me. Maybe you should pay or move house.

Does anyone know if you have to have a license if you dont have a tv but do have a laptop? I think this is the case in the UK as well.

Mike 1972 · 21-03-2011 10:59PM

eilo1 wrote: »

In the UK if you go into currys to buy a tv they are obliged to take your post code. They wouldnt sell me mine till I gave them one a couple of years ago.

Make one up* or tell them you live in the Republic of Ireland and have fun watching their brains explode when you explain there are no postcodes there. (You need to pay be cash though)

* Favorite ones are the postcodes for "TV licencing" in Bristol or BBC television centre in London

Mister men · 21-03-2011 11:02PM

faw1tytowers wrote: »

it cost 13.33 a month by direct debit for a licence ffs

That's 13.33 they will never get from me even if i can afford it.

eilo1 · 21-03-2011 11:05PM

Mike 1972 wrote: »

Make one up* or tell them you live in the Republic of Ireland and have fun watching their brains explode when you explain there are no postcodes there. (You need to pay be cash though)

* Favorite ones are the postcodes for "TV licencing" in Bristol or BBC television centre in London

I didnt know this before I went in and I honestly didnt know my post code. I had only been there about a week.

Its difficult to just make one up because they have the database right there and want the street address from you as well, to make sure your not lying.

Tar.Aldarion · 21-03-2011 11:16PM

Hope to never pay it in my life. How much is the fine? I've already saved enough to pay a few I'd imagine.

TV Licence Inspectors

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