TV licensing stupidity

I read Maffi's article on television licensing article with interest, writes Chris Hall.

My Mum recently passed away, her television licence duly expired and not surprisingly, was not renewed. Meanwhile, I had put her house up for sale.

Threats

Of course the threatening letters then started to arrive one after the other culminating in the threat of a visit. I tried to nip this in the bud by phoning them and explaining the situation. What an utter waste of time, the conversation went thus:

Just phoning up to tell you my Mum has passed away, the house is up for sale, so the licence hasn’t been renewed for obvious reasons. “When is this situation likely to change.” I beg your pardon! “I need to know when this situation is likely to change so that we can send a reminder to the new occupiers.”

I’m sorry my crystal  ball isn’t working this morning (thinking he would see the absurdity of his question—fat chance!) “Is it likely to be three months, six months or longer.” I asked him if he could tell me how long it would take for the house to sell!

Stupid

He couldn’t see how stupid his question was, right up to the end of the conversation, he tutted and sighed at me for not being able to give him a straight answer!

The house still hasn’t sold, the threatening letters will recommence in six months apparently. Seems that the main qualification to get a job with the television licensing people is to be able to take stupidity to a whole new level.

You really couldn’t make it up.