Wankers

I was struggling to find today's blip and then I arrived home to a letter from Edinburgh Council's minion informing me that I hadn't paid my Council Tax. I beg to differ, so called their telephone 'helpline' to rectify the situation. I had high hopes of customer service and swift resolutions but forgot I was living in Britain in the 21st Century.

Me: Hello, I've received a letter from you telling me that I haven't paid my Council Tax and that a warrant will be served against me in the next 7 days.

Scott & Co: ... silence...

Me: so... errr... I was wondering what we do next?

Scott & Co: You have to pay the money.

Me: You see, the thing is I think I'm up to date with my payments. Could you tell me which payment I've missed?

Scott & Co: I don't know. The Council don't tell us that, you'd have to speak to them.

Me: OK. So can you place a hold on the Warrant whilst I investigate this with the Council?

Scott & Co: No. You have to pay the money or the Warrant will be served.

Me: Sorry, let me get this right. I have to pay four months of Council Tax and the £50 fine even through I think there has been an error. I then have to try to get this money back from the Council?

Scott & Co: You can call the Council tomorrow and try and resolve it.

Me: That doesn't leave much time. Is there no way you can place this on hold?

Scott & Co: No.

Me: So there is nothing that you can do other than take the money and I'm best to speak to the council? So this conversation is a bit of a waste of time...

Scott & Co: Oh well, if you think it's a waste of time me explaining the facts to you...

Me: I didn't say that. I'm trying to work out how to proceed and it doesn't seem like you can help. I'll call the council tomorrow. Good bye (click).

So I now get to waste my evening trawling through old bank statements to prove that I have paid this and probably have to shell out £500+ for the privilege before taking it up with the council.

The money is not the issue, it's the inefficiency, time and waste that exists within the public sector that gets my back up.