UK Landlord Forum / Life

Having left it late this year, I just did my self assessment and paid my tax. I knew it was gonna get worse than previous years, but - ouch! It certainly was. Oh well, I'm in for a penny in for a Pound now... but, this is my ramble...

Do HMRC, or whoever directed them to do this, think it's funny to refer to me as a Customer? They send me reminder emails that start with "Dear Customer"... the Director General is Director General of Customer Services. What kind of dystopian Doublethink is this, really? By saying something enough does it really make it become true? In what world do HMRC see us as customers, not targets, marks, opportunities?

I guess customer and opportunity can, indeed, by synonyms... but I actually find that I resent HMRC referring to me as a Customer. If a car salesperson calls me Customer then I can get down with that... I could be... they could call me opportunity or mark or target or customer... but there's a significant difference, it's not assured (for them).

HMRC has my business.

Not by virtue of me choosing to pay my tax via them... because I have no choice. Surely "Customer" should at least try to imply a level of choice on behalf of that Customer? Otherwise, what am I? I mean... HMRC is not even as benign as a monopoly, right? If this was a monopoly situation then I would either use the services of HMRC, or I would do without... but I don't have the choice to do without. So, am I a captive audience..?

HMRC has my business... and they did nothing good to get it... I didn't choose them. I think they must turn their face when they call me Customer, so as to smile.

Dear Sucker,Dear Punter,Hey Guys, Dear Live One.Dear Citizen.I suppose it shows they have a twisted sense of humour.

We're customers of HMRC in the same way that the monks of Lindisfarne were customers of the Vikings.

The 08:34 to Bedford has been cancelled so I am stuck on this alternate slow train standing like a sardine... I hadn't intended to reply but I have nothing else to do so here is a contrarian view...

Parliament makes the laws including tax laws (not HMRC) which you must comply with.  HMRC is merely a service provider enabling you to comply with the law.  They provide a service which you gladly accept otherwise you'd be in jail.  As receiver of a service you are their customer.

Thank heavens for the HMRC 

[Yes I did get out of bed the wrong side this morning ... woe betide the first poor soul I meet in the office today]

The railway companies are another bunch that have started calling people customers. Presumably this is because "Passenger" implied they were actually going to take you somewhere, whereas "Customer" just means they're going to take your money somewhere.

If we are customers of HMRC does this mean we can review them? Something like Trip Advisor perhaps.Our local Italian gets crafty customers eating their meal,then asking to see the manager to discuss some petty gripe,he caves in and deducts from the bill.Worth a try?

Quote from: Simon Pambin on January 24, 2019, 09:14:02 AM
Presumably this is because "Passenger" implied they were actually going to take you somewhere, whereas "Customer" just means they're going to take your money somewhere.

That is funny!!!   

Quote from: Simon Pambin on January 24, 2019, 09:14:02 AMThe railway companies are another bunch that have started calling people customers.

I'm OK with this... I have [at least the illusion of] choice. Possibly another train company (though unlikely). A bus. A coach (being different from a bus). A taxi. A car. My own steam. I choose them (the train company) over other alternatives (that exist). I'm happy(!) to be their customer.

Strictly speaking... I suppose I do have the choice with HMRC... of not dealing with them, through employing an Accountant... then I would be the customer of the Accountant.

Quote from: Hippogriff on January 22, 2019, 02:32:39 PM
HMRC has my business... and they did nothing good to get it... I didn't choose them. I think they must turn their face when they call me Customer, so as to smile.

Just this.