TV Licence

[compman]

My TV licence is due on the 1st May, but I had a reminder for it back in March. I wondered why, but I remember reading in one of the financial pages that by paying early, a licence could be purchased at �135.50 before it rose to �139.50.

On 25 March I rang the TV licensing people and was told I couldn't pay there and then, I could only pay by Direct Debit and a mandate would be sent to me for signing. About ten days later I got another reminder, this time asking me for �139.50 but no mention of a mandate.

So I rang them again and spoke to someone who definitely told me that as I originally applied in March I would only have to pay �135.50, he said he had a note about it on his PC screen. He told me to wait for the mandate to arrive as it should be for �135.50. I did wait and it did arrive a couple of days later but guess what - yes it was for �139.50.

Has anybody else been involved in this sort of situation? I know it's only a few pounds involved, but why send me a reminder almost two months before it was due if there was no intention of letting me purchase it at the old price?

[grumpy80]

I have never known the TV Licensing people to charge less for forwarding buying but hey if they do that then fair enough. Anyway, they have to remind everybody about their tv licence whether they pay in full or by direct debit, it is merely a computerised letter that is sent out 2-3 months prior to a licence need renewing.