Buying a DVD?

[BIG DAD]

I was in B and Q yesterday and decided to buy a DVD Player, on going to the till i was told i had to fill out a form for the "TV Licencing Authority", this form required my address and telephone number, i asked why and they said they had to get one filled out for every DVD sold, i gave my address but refused my phone number as i dont give it out to anyone.

The cashier said she couldnt sell it to me then, she rang the manager to check and he said it was ok.

I dont understand why i have to fill out this form just for a DVD Player, if it was a telly then ok and besides that i could be buying it for a present and not have a tv myself.

Is this legal? Can they refuse to sell if i refuse to fill it in?

[jenstar]

You don't need to fill in a TV licensing form for a DVD player. The B&Q person is an idiot (no surprise there).

[dannydingbat]

They can refuse to sell you anything. In the world of contract, there must be an offer and an acceptance for a proper contract for the sale to exist. In shops such as these, they are not, by putting goods out for you to select, offering them for sale. This is called "an invitation to treat". The offer is made when you turn up at the checkout and is made by you (ie. an offer to buy). It is up to them to decide whether to accept your offer so confirming the contract.

[Busker]

These forms are stupid in the first place, if you are a normal law-abiding citizen you will have a TV licence. If you have no inclination to have a licence you put in a false name and address (and phone number if they want it). There is of course, no need for this form to buy a DVD player anyway but the staff`s mis-interpretation does not help. I recently bought a video-recorder from Asda (which I know does require a licence) and the cashier gave me a form when paying - I took it to complete and realised that it was a guarantee only. Without thinking, I said that I was expecting a licence form to complete to which she replied - after consultation with a colleague - you don`t need one. There is no compulsion for any store to sell you an item if you do not abide by their rules - so in future just put anything to keep them happy.

[c00ky83]

My dad makes up addresses, despite being a law-abiding licence payer! Give it a go, it's more fun.

[kempie]

If you were indeed trying to purchase a DVD player then this information would not need to be collected, however if you were in fact purchasing a DVD recorder then the seller must forward all necessary details of the purchaser to the TV Licensing Authority within 28 days under The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 (as amended). This is the law.

[Headloose]

Just a point relating to this thread (and many others) - why do so many `answers` treat the person putting the question as a simpleton?? Big Dad quite clearly refers to a DVD PLAYER - We do all know the difference between a player only, and a receiver so why has the above spelled it out as if we are all simpletons?

[SpiceBoy]

Yes Headloose, How I agree with you regarding certain people who question the question. In this instance thank god we have not got (so far) Loosehead to talk down to us and Buen..... to go into a very long screed of boring details which he may find interesting but I am sure everyone else finds a right pain.

[kempie]

Headloose - I did not intend to treat anybody as a simpleton.

I have answered the section of the question relating to the need to complete the form for a DVD player (i.e. not required) and I expanded on that answer as to when it would be required.

Perhaps you could try contributing to AB by answering questions rather than sniping at misperceived slights.

[spaced]

Big Dad... just go to comet, dixons or currys. Leave B&Q to decorating and building implements. I have bought DVD players and even a PC with a DVD recorder on it and I have never been asked for my address.

Just to make a point to their head office about their stupid, untrained staff - I would write a letter of complaint stating your disgust at the treatment you got, add a bit of "I use B&Q regularly" and "I am a good customer" and see if you get any sorry letters or vouchers. This usually works.

[funnywebsite]

Find another shop. This is stupid. I bought a dvd player from Aldi and nobody asked for my address. Sometimes cashiers get carried away. I was asked to sign my signature as well do chip and pin in one shop and I told them I didn't need to sign if I put my pin number in. She insisted that I did my signature. I complained to the shop supervisor and he said he would put her right.