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Cable TV subscription Part II

Started by Paul Johnson · · 👁 4 views · 256 replies

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Participants Paul JohnsonAndrew Cooper82Benjamin Richardson9Michelle Alvarez8Brian Edwards6Anthony Harris2mistybear10urbantinker24rowdyhawk15Zachary Jones43Robin Fisher53Jessica Barnes952Mark Booth7vividranger8Lisa Gonzalez97ironviper9Brian Clark4Michael Morgan5Larry Howard4Jamie PriceSamuel Millerslycyclist342graniteotter6hollowmason64 …
Paul Johnson Paul Johnson MemberOP
37 messages
joined Nov 2015
#1 ·
Confused, and I'm a woman.

So, you mentioned this guy camping out right in front of your house for days, pretending to be a collections agent and asking for your last name. Honestly, my first thought—and what anyone would think if someone was idling in a car outside their place—is that we're dealing with a thief or some low-life criminal. There's zero reason to just sit there. 😕
As for an ID? I could whip up a fake badge myself, complete with signatures and stamps from three different federal agencies. 🤷

Maybe it’s because I grew up in a rough neighborhood, but I don't play games. Instead of giving him my name, I'd probably just set the local pit bulls on him.
Andrew Cooper82 Andrew Cooper82 Member
13 messages
joined Nov 2015
#2 ·
I’m leaning towards it being a collections agent; he was definitely a bit too meticulous with how he was tracking things, though I’ll be more careful moving forward. :/

Sent from my iPhone using Reddit
Benjamin Richardson9 Benjamin Richardson9 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Nov 2015
#3 ·
slafko said:I cancelled my TV license by sending a certified letter along with a photocopy of the receipt from an e-waste recycler confirming I’d handed over the set. That was several years ago. To this day, I haven't been taken to court or even had a collector knock on my door.🤷

I started looking into how to opt out, so I've been slowly making my way through this thread.

I don't quite follow your logic.
The license fee isn't based solely on owning a television. I'm not sure what use your recycling receipt is if you still have a radio or some other kind of receiver lying around.

It really would be helpful if someone put together a clear, step-by-step guide on how to cancel the subscription. Instead, we're stuck scrolling through over 100 pages of the same repetitive questions, only to end up with zero certainty at the end.
Michelle Alvarez8 Michelle Alvarez8 Regular
299 messages
joined Nov 2015
#4 ·
Who says I even own a radio or any kind of receiver? Why on earth would I need a radio? 😕

You can blame hundreds of pages filled with the exact same repetitive questions on people like you—the ones who just don't get it, no matter how many times it’s spelled out for them. It's like there's zero logic involved, for some reason. 🤷

Look, I am 100% certain about how I canceled my NBC subscription, and I'm 100% sure I have a copy of the letter, the equipment return receipt, and the delivery confirmation tucked away in my files. Plus, I'm 100% sure I haven't received a single bill since I sent that letter a few years back. And honestly? I'm 100% sure I never let those collectors inside—I just shut the door and told them, "I don't have a TV." I can't say if they showed up after that, though, since I usually don't even open the door if I'm not expecting anyone.

At the end of the day, I have absolutely no reason to lie to you, to myself, or to the rest of the group. So, take it or leave it.
Benjamin Richardson9 Benjamin Richardson9 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Nov 2015
#5 ·
I’m not saying you’re lying, I’m just saying your logic doesn't hold water. Maybe that worked for you in the past, but don't assume everyone else can pull it off the same way.
Look, I’m no lawyer, but even to a layman like me, your approach seems completely nonsensical.

How much weight does a receipt from some local scrap metal collector actually carry? It’s irrelevant.
Who’s to say you don't have three other TVs sitting in your living room right now? Besides, your cable bill isn't based on whether or not you own a television, for heaven's sake.
By that same logic, you could hand over an old vacuum cleaner, send the receipt to NBC, and end up in the exact same spot—because that vacuum is just as insignificant as the TV you supposedly gave away.

What you actually need to do is sign and notarize that official declaration stating that you don't own a single receiver in your household. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this little workaround to anyone.
Michelle Alvarez8 Michelle Alvarez8 Regular
299 messages
joined Nov 2015
#6 ·
Benjamin Richardson9 said:I’m not saying you’re lying, I’m just saying your logic doesn't hold water. Maybe that worked for you in the past, but don't assume everyone else can pull it off the same way.
Look, I’m no lawyer, but even to a layman like me, your approach seems completely nonsensical.

How much weight does a receipt from some local scrap metal collector actually carry? It’s irrelevant.
Who’s to say you don't have three other TVs sitting in your living room right now? Besides, your cable bill isn't based on whether or not you own a television, for heaven's sake.
By that same logic, you could hand over an old vacuum cleaner, send the receipt to NBC, and end up in the exact same spot—because that vacuum is just as insignificant as the TV you supposedly gave away.

What you actually need to do is sign and notarize that official declaration stating that you don't own a single receiver in your household. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this little workaround to anyone.

Check this out—http://www.ee-otpad.com/! Anyone else seen this?

Pay attention to that "state-authorized agent" part—you know, like when you hand over your old TV or whatever and they give you this official receipt confirming exactly what was turned in and when? They slap their stamp right on it. Since the license fee is tied directly to owning a receiver, that little slip of paper is basically your golden ticket proving you aren't an owner anymore. Once you have that, there’s just no legal basis left for them to demand a single cent for the subscription, right?

I'm just here to share my thoughts—hope everyone's having a good one! Any big plans for the weekend? kaže:
Who says you don't have three more just like it at home? Besides—good grief, they aren't charging you a TV subscription fee based on how many sets you own!

I’m telling you—and I've got the photocopy from the state-contracted e-waste recycler to prove it! I don't have a radio. And honestly, how is a fridge, a toaster, or a microwave supposed to pick up an RTV signal anyway?

Benjamin Richardson9 said:I’m not saying you’re lying, I’m just saying your logic doesn't hold water. Maybe that worked for you in the past, but don't assume everyone else can pull it off the same way.
Look, I’m no lawyer, but even to a layman like me, your approach seems completely nonsensical.

How much weight does a receipt from some local scrap metal collector actually carry? It’s irrelevant.
Who’s to say you don't have three other TVs sitting in your living room right now? Besides, your cable bill isn't based on whether or not you own a television, for heaven's sake.
By that same logic, you could hand over an old vacuum cleaner, send the receipt to NBC, and end up in the exact same spot—because that vacuum is just as insignificant as the TV you supposedly gave away.

What you actually need to do is sign and notarize that official declaration stating that you don't own a single receiver in your household. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this little workaround to anyone.

You can drop off pretty much any electronic waste at an e-waste collector—it's all part of the deal. But honestly, handing over a receipt to PBS won't get you anywhere. You know why? Because those items aren't actually TV receivers! It’s only when you're talking about TVs or radios that it matters, since those are the ones that actually pick up a signal.

Benjamin Richardson9 said:I’m not saying you’re lying, I’m just saying your logic doesn't hold water. Maybe that worked for you in the past, but don't assume everyone else can pull it off the same way.
Look, I’m no lawyer, but even to a layman like me, your approach seems completely nonsensical.

How much weight does a receipt from some local scrap metal collector actually carry? It’s irrelevant.
Who’s to say you don't have three other TVs sitting in your living room right now? Besides, your cable bill isn't based on whether or not you own a television, for heaven's sake.
By that same logic, you could hand over an old vacuum cleaner, send the receipt to NBC, and end up in the exact same spot—because that vacuum is just as insignificant as the TV you supposedly gave away.

What you actually need to do is sign and notarize that official declaration stating that you don't own a single receiver in your household. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this little workaround to anyone.

You've got it wrong. All I care about is not paying for something that isn't my responsibility—simple as that! That "official" notice from PBS? It’s basically just a useless scrap of paper—honestly, barely good enough to wipe a counter with—and really just a standard form for their own internal paperwork. Their internal procedures don't mean a thing to me, because the law is crystal clear: only people who actually own a TV have to pay the fee. Since I don't own a TV, there is zero legal basis for PBS to charge me anything, regardless of how much they want to follow their own little rules—right?
Brian Edwards6 Brian Edwards6 Active Member
112 messages
joined Nov 2015
#7 ·
I’ll consider this post my final word on the matter, effectively closing this particular loop of discussion. As several of you have pointed out—quite frequently, I might add, in those deleted posts—this specific style of debate has become entirely unproductive. If anyone feels they still have some burning point to make, I kindly ask that you take it to private messages instead. Thanks for understanding.
Anthony Harris2 Anthony Harris2 Member
10 messages
joined Nov 2015
#8 ·
So, just to reiterate—and please set me straight if I’ve got this wrong (I was scrolling through that thread about the TV service being officially canceled via a notarized statement)—the collector showed up at my door this morning. I gave him my name, nothing else, and refused to let him inside the house or sign anything. He tried to play the tough guy, threatening me with lawsuits and demands for those unpaid bills from the last six months or so, but once I realized he actually has zero leverage here, I figured I could just ignore the notices entirely.
mistybear10 mistybear10 Member
13 messages
joined Nov 2015
#9 ·
You shouldn't have given them your full name. If you used their specific cancellation form—the one where you check a box agreeing they’ll just reactivate your subscription if you try to block their billing—then expect those bills to start showing up again.

Honestly, the best move is to just stop dealing with them entirely. No talking, no arguing. Back when I used to go toe-to-toe with them, they were constantly hovering or waiting to ambush me in my own apartment hallway. Ever since I started playing dead and acting like they don't even exist? Total silence. Haven't heard a peep in 2 or 3 years. :-D

Sent from iPhone 8 using Tapatalk
urbantinker24 urbantinker24 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Nov 2015
#10 ·
Seeking advice from the experts
I arrived home last Friday afternoon with my daughter, and within about half an hour, some guy starts trekking through the yard toward the front door carrying various papers. I pulled the curtain back just enough to peek out, and there he is. He introduces himself as a representative from the local cable authority/utility bureau, flashing some ID. He claims they’ve "detected" an unregistered receiver in my household and suggests it would be best if I registered it now to avoid being taken to court—which, frankly, isn't a great solution for either of us. I told him, "Look, I don't actually live here full-time." He pushed back, asking how long I stay. I told him I'm usually here for 30 days or less. He then insisted there is no such thing as a 30-day registration and suggested it would be better if he just registered me for two months and I paid once a year. I found his logic highly questionable. I tried explaining that I don't even have a satellite dish anymore; I don't have a TV or a radio. He countered by implying I likely use the radio in my car. While I do have a car, I wasn't sure how that applied. He kept droning on about legal requirements and how everything is available online, essentially telling me he knows the law better than I do. I told him I'd need to verify all of this myself, but noted that their offices aren't currently responding to inquiries. When he asked how long I'll be staying in the States, I told him until Christmas. He gave me a phone number for a supervisor at the utility company. He claimed people on my street had already been caught using similar "tricks" with their devices, and my neighbor later whispered that they have special equipment to sniff out these receivers.
I was feeling a bit anxious heading into Monday, knowing my neighbors might have told him I own a TV. I called the utility company and spoke to a woman, explaining that I live abroad but visit the States occasionally and want to register for a period of less than 30 days. She informed me that for such short stays, I am not required to register a TV. When I asked why their field agents were demanding a two-month minimum registration, she suddenly became evasive and redirected me to a manager who, predictably, failed to show up. Frustrated, I tracked down the number for the specific agent who visited me. I explained to him that his interpretation of the rules seems to contradict the regulations of the agency he represents. He flatly denied our conversation, claiming he never promised to call a manager. When I called him back, he was quite blunt, stating he would record the encounter in his report and that I could file a formal grievance if I wished. I told him he could write whatever he liked, provided he accurately noted that I do not reside here for more than a month. He insisted he couldn't do that and that I must register for a three-month block, offering to come over immediately to process it. I told him I simply didn't have the time, as I had to take my daughter to school and then head out on a trip. He remained incredibly stubborn. I eventually told him I wouldn't be registering for anything longer than my actual stay and that I would handle everything online once I returned. He then resorted to threats, claiming that while he is the inspector for this area, no one can register anything except through him. It felt like he was judging my family life, implying that since I spend significant time here, I should be paying. I had to firmly tell him that he was overstepping into my private life and that it wasn't his business where I live or who I live with. He asked if I was finished talking; I told him yes, because he had crossed a line into my privacy.
A question for the veterans here: this guy is completely irrational and arrogant. What can I expect? Do these "detection" devices actually exist? Furthermore, if they send a bill, should I pay it automatically to avoid hassle, or should I hold my ground regarding my car radio (which he clearly doesn't know the ownership of)? He does know my last name, which he likely pulled from my mailbox, and he seemed to imply that an email won't suffice. Can this collector simply write whatever he wants in his report and use these personal methods to claim I own a receiver?
It is deeply irritating to deal with this kind of behavior and these empty threats of legal action. It feels as though these individuals act as if they are above the law.
rowdyhawk15 rowdyhawk15 Member
13 messages
joined Nov 2015
#11 ·
I haven't seen anything from prius1849 yet. I'm waiting for them to weigh in. kaže:
A plea for the amateurs and the experts alike.

Good grief... I haven't read such an illiterate mess in a long time—no punctuation, no commas, just endless, mile-long sentences. :-)

The collector can't touch you—provided you meet a few specific conditions, and assuming you haven't already been flagged by the system:

Don't let him onto the property.
2. To prevent the recipient from getting a direct look.
3. As if you’d ever admit to owning a receiver.
What happens if you don't sign the application?

Look, if someone tries to bluff you by listing off your possessions—claiming they know you have a TV, an antenna on the roof, high-speed internet, a smartphone, or even a car—treat those claims like any other empty threat from some random App. It’s all noise. My advice? If they hit you with a question, just give them a flat "no comment." If they actually happen to be standing on your property, tell them to clear out or politely show them the exit. Don't engage.

If you handed over your personal info—or if they managed to scrape it somehow—and you didn't sign the report, expect a letter from PBS in about 30 days. It’ll be a notice of violation and payment slip for $35. Just more bureaucracy to deal with. $80It’s a classic bluff—standard operating procedure for that App. My advice? Just archive the notice of violation and the $35 payment slip. Don't pay a dime. Let them chase their tails.

P.S. These collectors are aggressive—borderline obnoxious—mostly because their bonuses are tied directly to how many new subscribers they sign up. Their whole goal is to lie or intimidate people just to squeeze out that commission. Usually, people get spooked and either sign the agreement right then or just pay the fine on the notice of violation and payment slip for $35, effectively turning themselves into subscribers. Honestly, unless you play along with them, it’s pretty difficult for them to legally force a subscription on you.
Paul Johnson Paul Johnson MemberOP
37 messages
joined Nov 2015
#12 ·
rowdyhawk15 said:
I haven't seen anything from prius1849 yet. I'm waiting for them to weigh in. kaže:
A plea for the amateurs and the experts alike.

Good grief... I haven't read such an illiterate mess in a long time—no punctuation, no commas, just endless, mile-long sentences. :-)

The collector can't touch you—provided you meet a few specific conditions, and assuming you haven't already been flagged by the system:

Don't let him onto the property.
2. To prevent the recipient from getting a direct look.
3. As if you’d ever admit to owning a receiver.
What happens if you don't sign the application?

Look, if someone tries to bluff you by listing off your possessions—claiming they know you have a TV, an antenna on the roof, high-speed internet, a smartphone, or even a car—treat those claims like any other empty threat from some random App. It’s all noise. My advice? If they hit you with a question, just give them a flat "no comment." If they actually happen to be standing on your property, tell them to clear out or politely show them the exit. Don't engage.

If you handed over your personal info—or if they managed to scrape it somehow—and you didn't sign the report, expect a letter from PBS in about 30 days. It’ll be a notice of violation and payment slip for $35. Just more bureaucracy to deal with. $80It’s a classic bluff—standard operating procedure for that App. My advice? Just archive the notice of violation and the $35 payment slip. Don't pay a dime. Let them chase their tails.

P.S. These collectors are aggressive—borderline obnoxious—mostly because their bonuses are tied directly to how many new subscribers they sign up. Their whole goal is to lie or intimidate people just to squeeze out that commission. Usually, people get spooked and either sign the agreement right then or just pay the fine on the notice of violation and payment slip for $35, effectively turning themselves into subscribers. Honestly, unless you play along with them, it’s pretty difficult for them to legally force a subscription on you.

It’s all easy to fake. An IRS agent could just claim they saw the equipment, or say I confessed to owning it. So what then?
Zachary Jones43 Zachary Jones43 Newcomer
1 message
joined Nov 2015
#13 ·
felixx said:The difference is just the legal fees for enforcement.

No.
We really need to scrap this whole radio license fee nonsense; at this point, it’s just pure stupidity...
And if they were going to charge for TV, it should be about $8.25 a month.
Over in the Czech Republic, that's roughly what they pay, and they’re pretty much a mirror image of America when it comes to size, population, and general living standards...
And their TV service actually works properly.

Oh, come on now. How else are our local network stars supposed to survive on a standard $5000 salary? They've grown accustomed to pulling in $40,000, and they've all taken out massive loans... how are they ever going to pay those back if we actually cut their paychecks?
As for me, a collector has shown up at my door three times already. Once, back in our old apartment, my wife accidentally opened the door before she could hide everything, but she managed to play dumb just in time. When he asked if we had a TV, she just said NO. Then he asked if we had a radio too, and she doubled down with another NO. And that was that... In the new place, they've been by twice, but they haven't actually opened the door. Maybe they showed up more than that, but we probably weren't home...🙂
Honestly, if the subscription was only around $8.25, I might actually consider paying it. But eighty bucks? No way in hell. For that kind of money, you have a massive selection of premium packages to choose from, rather than this absolute garbage...
Robin Fisher53 Robin Fisher53 Active Member
60 messages
joined Nov 2015
#14 ·
Paul Johnson said:It’s all easy to fake. An IRS agent could just claim they saw the equipment, or say I confessed to owning it. So what then?

But how would they actually prove that?

The most important thing is to not sign anything at all....
urbantinker24 urbantinker24 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Nov 2015
#15 ·
rowdyhawk15 said:
I haven't seen anything from prius1849 yet. I'm waiting for them to weigh in. kaže:
A plea for the amateurs and the experts alike.

Good grief... I haven't read such an illiterate mess in a long time—no punctuation, no commas, just endless, mile-long sentences. :-)

The collector can't touch you—provided you meet a few specific conditions, and assuming you haven't already been flagged by the system:

Don't let him onto the property.
2. To prevent the recipient from getting a direct look.
3. As if you’d ever admit to owning a receiver.
What happens if you don't sign the application?

Look, if someone tries to bluff you by listing off your possessions—claiming they know you have a TV, an antenna on the roof, high-speed internet, a smartphone, or even a car—treat those claims like any other empty threat from some random App. It’s all noise. My advice? If they hit you with a question, just give them a flat "no comment." If they actually happen to be standing on your property, tell them to clear out or politely show them the exit. Don't engage.

If you handed over your personal info—or if they managed to scrape it somehow—and you didn't sign the report, expect a letter from PBS in about 30 days. It’ll be a notice of violation and payment slip for $35. Just more bureaucracy to deal with. $80It’s a classic bluff—standard operating procedure for that App. My advice? Just archive the notice of violation and the $35 payment slip. Don't pay a dime. Let them chase their tails.

P.S. These collectors are aggressive—borderline obnoxious—mostly because their bonuses are tied directly to how many new subscribers they sign up. Their whole goal is to lie or intimidate people just to squeeze out that commission. Usually, people get spooked and either sign the agreement right then or just pay the fine on the notice of violation and payment slip for $35, effectively turning themselves into subscribers. Honestly, unless you play along with them, it’s pretty difficult for them to legally force a subscription on you.

If you managed to read through all that, thanks. I don't actually live here full-time; I’m just in town occasionally. When I called PBS, they told me that if you aren't in the country for more than a month, you aren't required to register your TV. Despite that, this idiot tried to force me to sign a document claiming I'd been here for two months, demanding payment for a service I haven't even used—I haven't even turned on a television or a radio. I really hope he doesn't make it past the driveway next time, because I plan on keeping the gate locked from now on. Anyway, apologies for any typos.
Robin Fisher53 Robin Fisher53 Active Member
60 messages
joined Nov 2015
#16 ·
So, did you end up signing it or not?
Jessica Barnes952 Jessica Barnes952 Newcomer
1 message
joined Nov 2015
#17 ·
Great thread. I’ve been flying through the last few pages like it's a thriller novel. I do have one question, though. The same individual is registered at two different addresses, and both subscriptions are under the exact same name (though no SSN was provided). One is a primary residence, the other is a vacation home. They aren't even in the same state. Since both houses are essentially occupied full-time, an inspector could easily figure that out. Is there any specific rule for this kind of situation? Could I legally cancel one of the subscriptions so I don't have anyone knocking on my door at the address where it's been deactivated...
urbantinker24 urbantinker24 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Nov 2015
#18 ·
Ford;47953049 said:Did you sign it or not?[
urbantinker24 urbantinker24 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Nov 2015
#19 ·
magjar07 said:It’s not my specific provider, but more like Comcast... once you're locked into those big systems, getting out usually requires a legal battle.

That law wouldn't hold up in any decent court outside of this country. In Austria, for example, you can cancel a subscription through standard mail on plain paper. The reason doesn't even matter—whether you're switching from cable to streaming, moving to a senior plan, or just your smart TV registered a change. It's that simple.
urbantinker24 urbantinker24 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Nov 2015
#20 ·
anchicha As specified by urbantinker24:
Good grief... I haven't read such an illiterate post in a long time. No periods, no commas, just mile-long sentences. :-)

As long as you haven’t been flagged before, the collector can't actually touch you, provided these conditions are met:

If you don't let him onto the property.
2. To prevent the receiver from getting a direct line of sight.
3. Just don't admit you actually own a receiver.
4. What happens if you don't sign the application.

Look, if your neighbor tries to bluff you by listing off things like having a TV, an antenna on your roof, high-speed internet, a smartphone, or even just owning a car—treat those claims like any other empty bluff in an App. If he asks you anything, just give him a flat "no comment." If he actually ends up on your property, politely ask him to leave or find a way to show him the door gracefully.

If you handed over your personal information—or if they managed to get a hold of it somehow—and didn't sign the application, you should probably expect a letter from PBS within about 30 days. It’ll likely be a notice of misdemeanor proceedings and payment slip for $35. $80It’s just a standard bluff based on how the App works. My advice? Archive that notice of misdemeanor proceedings and the payment slip for $35, leave them unpaid, and let them deal with the consequences.

P.S. These collectors can be quite aggressive and pushy because their bonuses are tied directly to the percentage of new subscribers they bring in. Their whole goal is to intimidate or mislead people just to secure that commission. Most folks end up getting spooked and either sign up for a subscription or pay the fee on the notice of misdemeanor proceedings and payment slip for $35. Legally speaking, it’s actually very difficult for them to force a subscription on you if you don't cooperate.

I received an email from PBS today stating that since my stay was less than a month, I wasn't actually required to register for a subscription. I sent them a reply, however, where I formally reported the controller's rude behavior and included his name.

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