Rant: (Insert bad word here)

[beavereater]

Alright...as everyone knows, I live in Japan. Here, they have a TV station called NHK which runs commmercial free. For running commerical free, the charge you about 30 bucks a month. It's something that APPARENTLY you have no choice doing...

NHK fee policy in English

Well, I always answered my phone (The one that let's people into your apartment) and just said "I don't watch TV." which is KINDA true. I actually do watch, but I watch CABLE which I pay for. The NHK station is all Japanese, and I don't watch it.

Well, in recent months, NHK had some scandles going on where the president or something had to step down. Fat cats filling their pockets!! Anyway, a month ago one of their people came to my door asking for money again and I answered as I always did only this time he was a bit stronger in trying to get in. I just said "Well, it doesn't matter cause I don't have any cash on me anyway." and he left...

THEN...TODAY...the guy came and spoke pretty good English and he was a f^%cking cockknocker...

NHK guy "Let me you...you have to pay me...it's the law..."
Beave "Send me a bill, how do I know you are who you say you are."
NHK "You have to let me in, it's the law."
Beave "Let me call the building manager and he can probably help you."
NHK "NO!! You have a TV so you have to pay 70 bucks for 6 months!!
Beave *knowing that I DON'T have to pay that on the spot* "Send me a bill, send me some papers like the government does with taxes, or my credit cards do and then I will think about it."
NHK guy "You have to pay NOW!!"
Beave *Trying to keep cool* "I'll get the manager, ring back up in 2 minutes"
NHK guy *Thinking I don't understand Japanese* "******* foreigner!! YES, I'll call back SOON!!"

SO...now I'm pissed, I get online and get the number to NHK and call them up, letting them know the situation and complain to them like I've never complained to anyone before. I explain I DON'T want their commercial free TV and that they can stop broadcasting to my apartment, they can come and do whatever they want to my place that prevents me from receiving any signal. I remind them that I know about all the scandles...and end with.

"If that guy comes back again I'm gonna hang up. If he keeps ringing me, I will call the cops."

Not a strong finish, but I wasn't about to be too much of an ass. The guy on the phone was very apologetic and said he's had many similar problems with salespeople being too aggressive. Anyway, all my students have run into similar problems but end up paying because they are worried about the repercussions of pissing off a salesman in rage, but then call, complain and get a refund the next day or week.

What do you think? Am I being a stupid white guy...or am I in the right? Everyone I've told here (Not that many since it only happen about 4 hours ago) seem to agree with me.

It's not official until the people on here say something

[Faustus]

Wait wait.. its like a broadcast over the air cable channel that you HAVE to pay for? That sucks! I wouldn't pay them crap.

Its TV in the UK kinda like this?

[Cobra]

Yes. You must pay for a licence to own a TV, and the funding goes into the BBC. Even if you don't watch any BBC channels, you still have to pay for them. It is a legal requirement.

[BJ_M]

sounded like a shakedown - you pay or we break your kneecaps ..

[Cobra]

...or force you to watch Pokemon! Noooooo!

[Faustus]

...or force you to watch Pokemon! Noooooo!

I've seen almost every episode of pokemon. Bulbasaur is my favorate.

[sacajaweeda]

You should just murder the ********** the next time he comes knocking.

Or not.

[pacmania_2001]

Just tell him that you'll meet him outside with your group of Marine buddies who are visiting you from the US base in Japan.

[hech54]

Yell GODZIRRA !!!!!! and hang up the phone.


I'm sorry in advance for offending any and all Japanese people or their families....even by marriage.

[snafu099]

Interesting, subscription tax just to own a tv.

How would it apply if you did not have a "tv" but instead used a:
1. pc with tv turner card
2. vcr/tuner with rca output to non-tv tuner type video display via rca. older apply monitor or commador come to mind. I have an old Panasonic unit that is standalone vcr + display that does NOT have a tuner, only rca inputs/outputs

Supprised some anti-establishment type doesn't set up a roving broadcast unit to disrupt that signal as a protest

[ZAPPER]

Sorry to hear about having to pay for broadcast TV, Both Japan and UK. But when in Rome.... I mean if it is the law do it by the law. Sounds like you need to lobby to change the laws. If there is a filter or something that is made to stop you from receiving the channel that would be good. Otherwise it may be time to bite the bullet

[lordsmurf]

What are "trespassing" and "self defense" laws in Japan? In the USA, just buy a gun and shoot his ass next time.

Oh, and next time you see him, be sure to say "******* _________" (insert Japanese racial slur here ... I don't know any).

[yoda313]

What are "trespassing" and "self defense" laws in Japan? In the USA, just buy a gun and shoot his ass next time.

Hello,



May work for you in Texas

Kevin

[BJ_M]

What are "trespassing" and "self defense" laws in Japan? In the USA, just buy a gun and shoot his ass next time.

Hello,



May work for you in Texas

Kevin

its good in michigan also -- except in detroit .

(well not really - you cant just shoot someone walking up to your door for no reason at all - plus he lives in an apt. building , the hall is considered public space) .....

[yoda313]

What are "trespassing" and "self defense" laws in Japan? In the USA, just buy a gun and shoot his ass next time.

Hello,



May work for you in Texas

Kevin

its good in michigan also -- except in detroit .

(well not really - you cant just shoot someone walking up to your door for no reason at all - plus he lives in an apt. building , the hall is considered public space) .....

Hello,

I know - just joking - Texas is an easy target

Kevin

[ZAPPER]

What are "trespassing" and "self defense" laws in Japan? In the USA, just buy a gun and shoot his ass next time.

Oh, and next time you see him, be sure to say "******* _________" (insert Japanese racial slur here ... I don't know any).

I don't think that you can own a gun in Japan (I could be wrong)

A Texan that doesn't know any Japanese racial slurs? (something doesn't seem right there)

Shooting the man for doing his job? (maybe offer him an Ex-Lax laced cup of hot chocolate)

Pay the bill, it is the law. Or get rid of any devices that are able to receive the damb programming. Come to America or any other place that is not as fucked up.

[BJ_M]

you can an own a shotgun in japan in some cases ...

also some compititive reasons and security may be able to ..

[sacajaweeda]

Tell him the only way he's getting any money from you is if he lets you buttfuck him.

[Conquest10]

Is the TV in plain sight from the door? If it isn't just tell him you don't have one and tell him to **** off. If you pay them then its like the lockness monster in that South Park episode. "Of course he keeps coming back, you keep him tree fiddy."

[jackal70058]

EZ solution to the problem:

Ditch the TV.

[yoda313]

EZ solution to the problem:

Ditch the TV.

Hello,

NO TV??????

I think I'm getting sick.....

Kevin

[glockjs]

next time just start barking at him....if he doesnt go away just donkey punch him

[yoda313]

Hello,

donkey punch

Eh???????? WTF??????

Kevin

[lordsmurf]

HAHAHAHAHAHA ... DP... HAHAHAHAHAHA

Not sure I'd want to do that one.

[northcat_8]

I'll tell you what I would do...

Next time he rings you, tell him to hang on, then give some excuse tell him your rice water is boiling over or something...it doesn't matter...just buy some time.

Then I would head down to where ever he is ringing you from, open the door and start off with "LOOK MOTHER ******" and just let if flow from there.

I had to use that one today myself while the wife and I were out looking at some new cars for her. We drove a Toyota Camry (very nice), Crysler Sebring (sucked), Dodge Stratus (nice), Chevy Impala (nice)..anyway...the dealership had some kind of sale going on and this sales guy kept wanting me to drive the 2005 Chevy Cobalt I told him we were looking midsized, not compact...and I was being nice. He kept on me and on me about this ******* Cobalt, so we drove it and it sucked ass. My lawnmower has more pickup and is roomier as a matter of fact. So we get back from the test drive and he was all excited until I told him that we didn't like it. But then as we are walking around looking at other vehicles he kept bring up the Cobalt, telling me how great it was, all of it's features...etc, etc. I was getting frustrated but I was keeping my cool, I eventually had enough and looked at my wife...with a look that apparently she has seen before...her eyes got real big and I turned to the salesman and said "LOOK MOTHER ******, I don't want the ******* cobalt, the ******* car sucks. It's too small, too loud and I've ridden horses that accelerate faster. So **** you, if you like it so much you buy the mother ******, because I'm not Jack...you got that? <stared at him> huh mother ******? Do you under-*******-stand that?" He was all apologetic after that and sent us a different salesman who was slashing prices but we've decided to wait a little while longer before buying one.

Sometimes Beave, you just got to be an *******.

[beavereater]

What are "trespassing" and "self defense" laws in Japan? In the USA, just buy a gun and shoot his ass next time.

Oh, and next time you see him, be sure to say "******* _________" (insert Japanese racial slur here ... I don't know any).

It would be trespassing if he got INTO the building without me ringing him up...which happens when the person has to visit more than one person in the building.

you can an own a shotgun in japan in some cases ...

also some compititive reasons and security may be able to ..

From what I understand you can't have a gun unless you are a hunter, and to get a hunting licence costs you more than a car.

Technically you can be fined for not paying. The only thing is, someone can come on my door with fake ID and get money, and how would I know the difference. There's no bill...nothing...that's one reason I wouldn't pay. There's been a 60 percent drop in payments because of the scandles (If you read the headlines on that page it talks about it) I'm one of the 60 percent!! I'm not gonna help line the pockets of some fat cats!!

IMO if something is a must to be paid (Taxes, credit cards) then give me the papers, and make me sign a contract...make sure I use the services.

Is the TV in plain sight from the door? If it isn't just tell him you don't have one and tell him to **** off.

I know...it's not in sight. I wonder if they know that it's being broadcast to my place though??

[Faustus]

TV detection rays. Here is how I think it works. You TV makes an imprint on your brain, and they can scan your brain to see if your watching TV. See the horror!?

Back in reality, I really do think they can detect it, maybe because the tube holds such a charge, but then what if you had an LCD TV? Jacobs ladder in your living room? Wonder how BBC knows all. I think someone once seriously mentioned detection vans.

[glockjs]

buy the camry northy! or at least an accord


back to the subject....seriously, you cant be nice all the time. tell him to give you a brochure....then tell him to come back another time. and next time he comes back right before you ring him up.....get your largest kitchen knife, go outside your apt and stick the knife through the brochure in your front door..see if the mofo trys knockin. it's worked before, trust me.

[Conquest10]

I wonder if they know that it's being broadcast to my place though??

My guess is that they are assuming you have a TV and they're trying to get money.

[BJ_M]

The BBC can tell -- they have their ways (really)