Discussion
I moved into my first flat at the beginning of the month and was trying to sort out my TV license.
Going through the pay online process, the system wanted me to pay a full year's license over 5 months, then the direct debit would drop to the normal £12.odd per month.
Wanting me to pay for a full license although I've only just moved in is ridiculous in my opinion, so I tried to call them. After navigating through a maze of options, the automated voice told me all their operators were busy and cut me off!
What are the extent of my obligations?
Going through the pay online process, the system wanted me to pay a full year's license over 5 months, then the direct debit would drop to the normal £12.odd per month.
Wanting me to pay for a full license although I've only just moved in is ridiculous in my opinion, so I tried to call them. After navigating through a maze of options, the automated voice told me all their operators were busy and cut me off!
What are the extent of my obligations?
Mr E Driver said:
You can only buy a licence from the beginning of the month you are in. You could try buying on on the 1st of June without much risk. Was there a reminder on the doormat when you moved in?
Nothing on the doormat, nothing since. I could live with paying from the beginning of the month, but not the beginning of the year!I'm a bit confused, but that happens a lot 
The first 5 months of payments is to buy the licence for 12 months from the start date of the licence. The direct debit drops and those payments are contributing to the next 12 months worth of licence. I can understand the reticence to pay a year up front (which by definition you're not, it's paying for 12 months over 5 months) but I would imagine you don't buy a tin of beans from Tesco with the intention of only paying for them when you eat them.
The first 5 months of payments is to buy the licence for 12 months from the start date of the licence. The direct debit drops and those payments are contributing to the next 12 months worth of licence. I can understand the reticence to pay a year up front (which by definition you're not, it's paying for 12 months over 5 months) but I would imagine you don't buy a tin of beans from Tesco with the intention of only paying for them when you eat them.
When I first moved in mine started at £14.99 a month for the first 5 months then dropped to £11 and some pennies. I never questioned it to be honest but I just thought that was how they did it?
I got a refund of £24 when I moved out again a year later so do they make you overpay or something?
I got a refund of £24 when I moved out again a year later so do they make you overpay or something?
bigandclever said:
I'm a bit confused, but that happens a lot
The first 5 months of payments is to buy the licence for 12 months from the start date of the licence. The direct debit drops and those payments are contributing to the next 12 months worth of licence. I can understand the reticence to pay a year up front (which by definition you're not, it's paying for 12 months over 5 months) but I would imagine you don't buy a tin of beans from Tesco with the intention of only paying for them when you eat them.
That makes a bit more sense.The first 5 months of payments is to buy the licence for 12 months from the start date of the licence. The direct debit drops and those payments are contributing to the next 12 months worth of licence. I can understand the reticence to pay a year up front (which by definition you're not, it's paying for 12 months over 5 months) but I would imagine you don't buy a tin of beans from Tesco with the intention of only paying for them when you eat them.
I didn't expect it to work like buying beans from Tesco. I did expect it to work like my car insurance payments!
Still, they've annoyed me now so as they cut me off, can I reasonably leave it a week, a month or longer before I call again?
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