Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away!

I don't know what it is about it, but there's just something about this show (which is obviously most likely schadenfreude) that keeps me addicted to see more of it. I know, not something many people agree with, but regardless I just personally have some sort of interest in what can happen when you're in serious debt and need to pay it off.

The one thing I definitely like about this show is that it shows people in various circumstances and seeing how they would be able to pay off their debt. Most of the time they either manage to or put it on a weekly/monthly plan. I myself (thankfully) have never been put in such a situation, although I can be glad that this show warned me of what could happen with bad financial decisions which can lead to so much trouble.

Now obviously there's a very huge breach of privacy for those who actually do make an appearance on this show. That's something I do have a bit of a problem with. If you were to be in a sort of situation this show portrays, obviously you'd not want to publicise it, would you?

Regardless, when it comes to watching (and in some cases binging) this show, it's rather easy to do so and you do kind of get used to the tactics the bailiffs use in order to get situations resolved. Good learning experience.

As an American, this is an incredible show to watch since the system of High Court Enforcement Agents is something which would *never* function in the United States. Attempting to enter someone's home forcibly and removing property would result in these men being gunned down, especially in places like Texas or other heavy pro-gun conservation states.

While I fully support the 2nd amendment, it does say something that in the UK, even *picking up a knife* is enough to levy serious criminal charges, much less guns, which are nearly impossible to obtain in that country, from what I understand.

Also, the show presents a side of British society hardly ever seen, that of immigrants especially from places like Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. A lot of the enforcement actions are often against people from these regions, as well as Africa, and while we all know about British Indians (who can forget the British Raj) it's rare to see a British program display the lives and times of these other, lesser known, immigrant groups. What impresses me the most is how the agents deal with such people *exactly the same* as with upper class British who are wealth and better off.

So, a fascinating show, and highly recommended, especially if one is not familiar with the debt collection process in the United Kingdom and how it is enforced. This show will absolutely provide an education.

Caught the first 2 seasons of this on Netflix. Most of the other reviewers have it plain WRONG as they're critiquing the job, not the show, to which I'd respond "Don't hate the player, hate the game!".

The show follows various different 'high court enforcement officers' in carrying out their daily jobs. Sadly, their job involves repossessing houses, apartments, cars and property from down-on-their- luck members of society, usually with either Sad, Pathetic, Hilarious, or sometimes Violent consequences.

The people they meet come from across the wealth spectrum in the UK, poor, middle class, and also wealthy. What they have in common is they didn't pay their bills; full Stop. If they'd paid, they would never have been in the situation, hence the show's title. Most times their predicament is their own fault (not paying rent for 8 months, house sitting in a mansion and then refusing to leave), but occasionally there's a tale that tugs at the heartstrings.

What people lose sight of is that there's always a 2nd party being wronged...it's not just the tenant being kicked out that's losing something. Several episodes discussed the landlords, who've often bought the property as a long term investment, like the seniors on a pension who can barely make ends meet as their tenant hasn't paid rent in 6 months and who leaves the apartment in a trashed condition to boot! Is it fair to have a system that doesn't have a recourse for them? No. Hence why this job (and the show) exist.

Overall it's a poignant, realistic look at a job that appears both tough and heartless, but plays an INTEGRAL part in keeping the gears of modern society in motion. 7/10.

ps. Would rate higher except the editing is crap...typical repetitive techniques of 'what's coming later' and 'what's already happened' really slow many episodes down.

I love this show! I live in the U.S. and am SHOCKED that the "high court" can just show up at your door and put you out IMMEDIATELY! There is nothing similar in the states. Although we do have evictions the courts DO give you a final move-out date. There are no surprises at your door.

Also being able to immediately take your possessions to absolve the debt is CRAZY to me!

I love the show and have visited the U.K. on one occasion and really enjoyed myself (my husband and I took a 2-week holiday). I had no idea stuff like this was going on. It's mind boggling.

It's a show that shows you that you have to be responsible for all of your actions in life. From not paying rent and how your old debt can find you.