LOST AND ABANDONED BY CFE

Sorry, I didn't think anyone would be particularly interested. I know a great guy who is considering putting his perfect command of both languages to work, helping out those who have problems like this. In this particular case, he is particularly well-versed in the ways of the CFE, having dealt with them about problems like this and like over-billing so much that they know him and, if not fear him, certainly wake up when he walks in. Today he helped another woman who, on TOB, somehow ended up with a $6,000 pesos CFE bill. She has minimal Spanish, and really needed someone to help.

His background is in the hospitality business, and the international moving business, and he could have saved that grocery store out in La Huerta a couple of years ago with his knowledge of border paperwork and the like.

There's a large number of my computer clients who often ask for this kind of help, and don't really want the impersonal, over-priced services of some of our so-called "expediters" around here. If anyone would like more information, I will be happy to provide same.

I'll remember that Helperguy. Anything else on your resume lately? Never mind, I'll just ask you when I get stymied. I could've used your friend's help last September though.
Gringal, you have incredible patience. Hope your problem is completely resolved.

I have a really good one about the CFE, hence the squeaky wheel approach. They overcharged us to the tune of 2,000 pesos one time. Kept trying to get the money back because I don't trust them to apply it to the next bill. Went over there twice, guy's out in the truck and he has the money, etc etc. Finally I started calling the same girl at the CFE in Chapala every day, several times a day, deliberately using the worst possible Spanish imaginable. Well after about a week, more or less someone showed up at our front door, handed my husband 2,000 pesos, and said please ask your wife not to call anymore.
Even Mexicans can't believe that one. Apologies to anyone who has heard this one before, there are new people on board here.

Now THAT'S what I call persistence! But mission accomplished.

Raq! You my new guru! I like your style.

Trailrunner wrote:I agree, time to get very aggressive! Your electrician can't, or isn't willing to, fix it himself at the pole?

I've flagged down the trucks and paid them too, it works! Try that.

Good luck, Gringal. Go postal in the office, it works.

Whoa! Better be careful about that, too. A Mexican friend who was without phone and internet for 2 weeks with the same empty promises day after day... finally went in to Telmex one last time and when told they would fix it 'manaña' he got angry and yelled at them. Guess what? They called the cops to haul him out of there! Welcome to Mexico, indeed.

do you have power yet? sounds like you have one phase out. it happens here in chapala haciendas when the power goes out, sometimes when it comes back on you only have one phase for awhile, which means you dont have full power. I find electricity scary here, we had a casita built and the electrician was horrible, we(my father in law and i) had to replace and fix most of it.

So Gringal, is it fixed yet? Do you think this problem has any relationship to that awful construction next to you?

Mainecoons wrote:So Gringal, is it fixed yet? Do you think this problem has any relationship to that awful construction next to you?

Not yet. The man HelperGuy recommended has contacted us and will be available sometime this week. We haven't nailed the time and place yet. Meanwhile, one leg up and one still down, with extension cord snaking back and forth in the kitchen. They'll definitely need a bucket rig to get to that pole amidst the tall trees.

The construction next door from hell has to end someday........but it's not associated with our problem.
Everybody needs a mini-skyscraper next door.........aaargh.

gringal wrote:

Mainecoons wrote:So Gringal, is it fixed yet? Do you think this problem has any relationship to that awful construction next to you?

Not yet. The man HelperGuy recommended has contacted us and will be available sometime this week. We haven't nailed the time and place yet. Meanwhile, one leg up and one still down, with extension cord snaking back and forth in the kitchen. They'll definitely need a bucket rig to get to that pole amidst the tall trees.

The construction next door from hell has to end someday........but it's not associated with our problem.
Everybody needs a mini-skyscraper next door.........aaargh.

Never tried it before... but should work... ( won't work with 220 volt )
U should be able to just bridge " hot " lead to other side of panel.... in effect.... run everything on one leg
220 requires both legs

Never tried it before... but should work... ( won't work with 220 volt )
U should be able to just bridge " hot " lead to other side of panel.... in effect.... run everything on one leg
220 requires both legs.

If you do that, make sure that you pull the fuse on the dead side first and jumper at the bottom of the fuse block. Otherwise it will backfeed onto the line and there will be a hell of a blast when they do fix it.....

A friend of mine had a problem with Telmex. On the third trip and the "2 hours" promise, he said OK. I'll just wait in the lobby and my wife can call me when they get th phone fixed. Only took 2 hours.....

I love that. We're going in day after tomorrow with the troubleshooter. Will report back results.

"A friend of mine had a problem with Telmex. On the third trip and the "2 hours" promise, he said OK. I'll just wait in the lobby and my wife can call me when they get th phone fixed. Only took 2 hours....."

I love this! Thanks, I will definitely add this to my bag of tricks to be used when all else fails. Viva Mexico!

Maybe the trick is to always carry a book that will last you for hours. LOL>

My husband and the man HelperGuy recommended met at the CFE office this morning. End result: Found out it was SNAFU from the get-go on CFE's side, and now a bucket truck rig work order has been issued. It's supposed to happen this week.

I highly recommend the man who helped us and charged very little for the service. He speaks excellent English and Spanish. He knows the man with clout in the office and everything went speedily and smoothly. Sometimes, it's just who you know. Especially in Mexico.

So glad to hear it, Gringal. Should anyone else need help along these lines, with any kind of paperwork requirement or problem (not just CFE, and even Mexican border reqt's), I will be happy to pass along his info. I believe he will be taking out a classified in the Reporter before long.

....and I thank you, HelperGuy. Saved our burro.

gringal wrote:....and I thank you, HelperGuy. Saved our burro.

Yea soon no more extention cords LOL !!!!

Z

Another happy ending...two in a week. Let's keep it rollin'.

So Gringal, did it happen? Are you running on two legs now?

No. They promised "within a week" bucket rig. No rig. So, back to the office on Tuesday when the week expires. This is just SO MUCH FUN.

gringal wrote:No. They promised "within a week" bucket rig. No rig. So, back to the office on Tuesday when the week expires. This is just SO MUCH FUN.

Is it time for me to start calling the office yet? Just say the word.......

Ah, but now we have someone to follow up.

E-raq wrote:I have a really good one about the CFE, hence the squeaky wheel approach. They overcharged us to the tune of 2,000 pesos one time. Kept trying to get the money back because I don't trust them to apply it to the next bill. Went over there twice, guy's out in the truck and he has the money, etc etc. Finally I started calling the same girl at the CFE in Chapala every day, several times a day, deliberately using the worst possible Spanish imaginable. Well after about a week, more or less someone showed up at our front door, handed my husband 2,000 pesos, and said please ask your wife not to call anymore.
Even Mexicans can't believe that one. Apologies to anyone who has heard this one before, there are new people on board here.

Maybe it's time to E-raq-erate them!

I'm saving that ammunition for the "all else fails" time. Lol.

gringal wrote:I'm saving that ammunition for the "all else fails" time. Lol.

Well you do know who to P.M. for an E-raqueration. ;-)