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CFE Mystery Charge


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18 minutes ago, Bisbee Gal said:

Your bill showed all 00's for usage.  It's quite possible you are using someone else's electricity.  Does that not concern you?

Defiantly it concerns me. Up until now I was told by my wife that this was normal, she is from here and I have had no reason to question her on it. But there is so much here that seems ridiculously cheap, it seamed reasonable.

But I will talk with the neighbors and watch the meter. 

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3 minutes ago, Northtek said:

Defiantly it concerns me. Up until now I was told by my wife that this was normal, she is from here and I have had no reason to question her on it. But there is so much here that seems ridiculously cheap, it seamed reasonable.

But I will talk with the neighbors and watch the meter. 

The person who set you up for electric has "rigged" things so you do not pay electric, except the min. Like no one lives in your house. That is fraud and one day there will be a massive fine. I wish you luck, but CFE will not accept any excuses like "i did not know anything about it".

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1 hour ago, Jim Bowie said:

CFE will not accept any excuses like "i did not know anything about it".

Correct, the owner of the home / CFE account has the responsibility.     Fines can be 5 to 6 x what the bills would have been.     Fair warning.   And "0" use......even a fridge on "idle" and no lights will use 2 to 3 kWh per day.....hmmmmm......a tech from Canada doesn't "understand" this?    Or doesn't want to????

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On 3/2/2021 at 5:14 PM, Go Solar said:

I would agree with this, we've seen it numerous times.     My reco would be to find the issue and get it corrected, possibly by a very good private electrician but be sure there is no evidence of tampering.     If solar is planned, then do it right after that.

Sorry it took me a couple of days to get my head around the idea of hiring an electrician to find out why I don't pay enough. As that to me sounds like hiring a mortgage broker to find out why my landlord doesn't charge me more for rent.

But I appreciate everyone's concern, as the more I look into this, the more it seems as though this is more an issue of incompetence than anything else. As I first though it was weird that a company was going around telling people they need to change their meters at a cost of $2k peso. I thought it might be like a scam we had back in Canada a while back where a company was convincing people to change from Ontario hydro to a private provider, promising lower rates. Then after a couple months jacking up the rates to double.

What it looks like what has happened is the meters here that the CFE installed are under reporting the usage and the CFE has no way of knowing what the usage is. So they are quietly trying to convince people to change them at their own expense. When they do, the meter start reporting the proper usage and they are getting higher bills.

But I will keep looking into it and let you know.  

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50 minutes ago, Northtek said:

Sorry it took me a couple of days to get my head around the idea of hiring an electrician to find out why I don't pay enough. As that to me sounds like hiring a mortgage broker to find out why my landlord doesn't charge me more for rent.

But I appreciate everyone's concern, as the more I look into this, the more it seems as though this is more an issue of incompetence than anything else. As I first though it was weird that a company was going around telling people they need to change their meters at a cost of $2k peso. I thought it might be like a scam we had back in Canada a while back where a company was convincing people to change from Ontario hydro to a private provider, promising lower rates. Then after a couple months jacking up the rates to double.

What it looks like what has happened is the meters here that the CFE installed are under reporting the usage and the CFE has no way of knowing what the usage is. So they are quietly trying to convince people to change them at their own expense. When they do, the meter start reporting the proper usage and they are getting higher bills.

But I will keep looking into it and let you know.  

No, someone has "fooled" with your electric and you are robbing the electric company. Have seen it before. The same happened to me several years ago, except I was not the owner of the house, so he was stuck with a massive amount to pay. I moved.

 

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45 minutes ago, Jim Bowie said:

No, someone has "fooled" with your electric and you are robbing the electric company. Have seen it before. The same happened to me several years ago, except I was not the owner of the house, so he was stuck with a massive amount to pay. I moved.

 

I think that is an aggressive statement suggesting that I am "robbing the electric company" . I moved here in October and looked at the billing history for the last year, so far it has been consistent. But if I owe for electricity I use, then I have no problem paying for it. As for now, they send me a bill and I pay it. No robbing is going on.

If there is a mistake, which at this point I have no indication that there is other than they are sending me cheaper than expected bills. Then I will work to get it resolved.

I do find it more concerning that you stated " I was not the owner of the house, so he was stuck with a massive amount to pay. I moved". So I think that maybe you are projecting on to me the fact that you feel guilty of letting your landlord get stuck with the bill for the electricity you used. 

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18 minutes ago, Northtek said:

I think that is an aggressive statement suggesting that I am "robbing the electric company" . I moved here in October and looked at the billing history for the last year, so far it has been consistent. But if I owe for electricity I use, then I have no problem paying for it. As for now, they send me a bill and I pay it. No robbing is going on.

If there is a mistake, which at this point I have no indication that there is other than they are sending me cheaper than expected bills. Then I will work to get it resolved.

I do find it more concerning that you stated " I was not the owner of the house, so he was stuck with a massive amount to pay. I moved". So I think that maybe you are projecting on to me the fact that you feel guilty of letting your landlord get stuck with the bill for the electricity you used. 

Actually, I have no guilt, as my rent included all utilities and furniture. He did ok having me as a renter, but I believe he knew all along what was up. Since my electric was cut till he paid, I actually had no choice. That clear your conscience a little? Good luck with your problem. 

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2 minutes ago, Jim Bowie said:

Actually, I have no guilt, as my rent included all utilities and furniture. He did ok having me as a renter, but I believe he knew all along what was up. Since my electric was cut till he paid, I actually had no choice. That clear your conscience a little? Good luck with your problem. 

Thankfully my conscience is absolutely clear. I pay the bill as its sent to me. If the meter or something was altered or changed without my knowledge and has been that way long before I got here, which it would have been, since billing history shows it has been the same amount every month over the last year. Then I am not sure how this would in any way mean that I am robbing the electrical company. 

I am looking into it, but at the same time I am doing what every consumer is expected to do, I pay the bill with the amount shown.

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3 hours ago, virgo lady said:

Correct, the owner of the home / CFE account has the responsibility.     Fines can be 5 to 6 x what the bills would have been.     Fair warning.   And "0" use......even a fridge on "idle" and no lights will use 2 to 3 kWh per day.....hmmmmm......a tech from Canada doesn't "understand" this?    Or doesn't want to????

well to quote or paraphrase Scotty from Star Trek " Dammit Jim I am a Satellite/Communications specialist, not a appliance repair man"

So no, I generally don't do a home energy audit, especially if I am told that the bill is perfectly normal by people living here.

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I am starting to wonder if people here are just looking for something to argue about? because I am not sure why a CFE bill would cause such a stir. So relax people, I will figure it out and when I do. that will be that.

As I was just curious about why people were trying to convince other people in the area to change a meter that is only a couple years old.

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5 hours ago, Northtek said:

I looked through the billing history for the last year and billing has been consistent, the meter is new as the area I am in is relatively new. it has an antitamper tag on it and I am pretty sure its secure, as the neighborhood is very secure. We live in a gated community, inside a gated community.

Plus its just a 3 bedroom condo and we decided to opt out of heavy consuming appliances, such as A/C, Electric dryers, and so on. so our consumption is very low. This was my wife's decision, as she is from here and said that she did not want it. I was resistant at first, as I like my conveniences, but have adopted, as I was told this is the way it is here. 

But in the end, if there is an issue, I am sure it will present itself. Until then, I will just money aside just in case. 

Northtek,

We had solar installed quite a bit back and then added panels because the hubster and I are very spoiled and like being able to use all of our electronics/electric gear without paying a buttload to CFE, as we did when first arriving. We now generate more than we use, so I think it's safe to safe that you're setting yourself up for a rude awakening if you don't get this checked by CFE. It doesn't matter whether you're hooked up (unintentionally) to someone else's meter, have a non-functioning one, or...?...you're not receiving an accurate bill. We show a negative balance each billing cycle, but are billed $49 pesos for the connection charge. If you're paying $25 and your bill shows 0kw...umm...I think you don't need us to tell you that CFE thinks you're a zero usage. Get this checked out, please!!!

Late addition:  Also, most of us are overlooking the fact that you mentioned you're married to a Mexican. I guarantee she read that bill and saw that there is no usage reported. Spanish is not my 1st language, but even I knew how to read our first bill all those many years ago....what part of 0kw is easily misunderstood?  If you ask a question of this board, don't get your panties in a twist if you don't like the answers. The more I read from you, the less I believe the story as you've presented it. Sorry, but, I think you know you're getting free electric and are now trying to justify it.

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4 minutes ago, Northtek said:

well to quote or paraphrase Scotty from Star Trek " Dammit Jim I am a Satellite/Communications specialist, not a appliance repair man"

So no, I generally don't do a home energy audit, especially if I am told that the bill is perfectly normal by people living here.

I can not imagine anyone telling you that a $25 pesos per month electrical bill is perfectly normal by people living here.

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2 hours ago, Northtek said:

I am looking into it, but at the same time I am doing what every consumer is expected to do, I pay the bill with the amount shown.

No, as a customer you need to check that you are paying what you should be paying. When my house was in construction, and the electric had been hooked up and was being used by the crew for their power tools, the first bill I got said there had been zero consumption. There was a really nice woman who spoke good English, who worked at my local CFE office and I called and spoke to her, telling her the bill said 0 consumption, which wasn't correct. She said "Don't pay that bill! Do you know how to read your meter?" I have an analog meter and told her I do know how to read it. "Great. Read the meter, bring the reading in to me and I will issue you a correct bill. They obviously didn't come out to read your meter, and if you pay it as is, at some point you will get a big bill that could put you into the high rate."

The same thing happened in reverse a few years later. After receiving bi-monthly bills of around 200 pesos, I suddenly got a bill for 2000 pesos. Nothing had changed in my electrical consumption. They obviously hadn't read the meter and had just "estimated". But it seems the estimate was based on me having a gringo name, rather than on my past bills. I read the meter, brought the reading in with the incorrect bill and it was adjusted down to 120 pesos.

You have to do your due diligence here, not just trust that the bill is correct.

 

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10 minutes ago, mudgirl said:

 

You have to do your due dilugence here, not just trust that the bill is correct.

 

I ran out of emoticons, but here's a smiley face for you...😀

For obvious reasons, I can't go into specifics, but...a few years back, we got a rather large bill from CFE that we knew couldn't be right as the solar was in and it just wasn't possible, even if we had left every light on, computers showing videos, etc, etc. We checked the lines since a couple of our neighbors were on the more "interesting" side; we had CFE come by twice (or so they said, but...) and nothing. An electrician was already here doing other work, so he proved that CFE had never been by or they would have immediately seen the issue. The electrician was able to provide a solution and our bills dropped back down to normal.

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14 minutes ago, Tingting said:

I ran out of emoticons, but here's a smiley face for you...😀

For obvious reasons, I can't go into specifics, but...a few years back, we got a rather large bill from CFE that we knew couldn't be right as the solar was in and it just wasn't possible, even if we had left every light on, computers showing videos, etc, etc. We checked the lines since a couple of our neighbors were on the more "interesting" side; we had CFE come by twice (or so they said, but...) and nothing. An electrician was already here doing other work, so he proved that CFE had never been by or they would have immediately seen the issue. The electrician was able to provide a solution and our bills dropped back down to normal.

Lol, thanks. I am sure if my bill was overly high, this would make more sense. But as it stands, we are just renting until we can have a house built. When we do, solar or wind will be playing a vital roll. Until then, the landlord says it good, the wife who is Mexican, says its good, and the neighbors say its good. In fact everyone I have spoken with other than on this site said not to worry about it. So, like I said, I will look into it, but until I hear from the CFE, I am going to continue to assume its all good.

As far a alt energy goes, I am glad its working out for you. Because once we build, I am hoping to be completely self sufficient and off grid. Currently we are looking at some systems, but I will also be building some of my own, as current solutions don't cover everything I am hoping to do. I am also very excited for Starlink to get here.

Big fan of Elon.

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36 minutes ago, mudgirl said:

ut it seems the estimate was based on me having a gringo name, rather than on my past bills. I read the meter, brought the reading in with the incorrect bill and it was adjusted down to 120 pesos

Ok, that probably is hitting closer to home. As I am wondering if there is a gringo tax here. Because the only time we get lower than average bills is when its in my wife name as she is a local. But if I try and do anything in my name the cost is a minimum 4 times higher. Plus when I went to look at buying a house, the prices were way off the prices she was getting. Plus there is some program for Mexican like a social credit that makes the cost of the house cheaper. No idea what that is but not going to argue. 

When I try and talk to my wife, she just says Mexico is corrupt and that's just the way it is. Then I smile and say yes, Mexico is corrupt but at least they are honest about it.

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1 hour ago, Northtek said:

Ok, that probably is hitting closer to home. As I am wondering if there is a gringo tax here. Because the only time we get lower than average bills is when its in my wife name as she is a local. But if I try and do anything in my name the cost is a minimum 4 times higher. Plus when I went to look at buying a house, the prices were way off the prices she was getting. Plus there is some program for Mexican like a social credit that makes the cost of the house cheaper. No idea what that is but not going to argue. 

When I try and talk to my wife, she just says Mexico is corrupt and that's just the way it is. Then I smile and say yes, Mexico is corrupt but at least they are honest about it.

I never had your problems or your perspective dealing with property ownership, bills, buying stuff, hiring workers etc. for the last 40 years. You must have really bad luck.

Buying a house or an apartment with "interes social" (low interest federal government loan) is for non government workers or non union members is an INFONAVIT mortgage which is only available once in a lifetime and needs to be an economical property approved by them, not a luxury property. You have to work and pay into their fund for sometime - years - before you can qualify.

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1 hour ago, Northtek said:

Ok, that probably is hitting closer to home. As I am wondering if there is a gringo tax here. Because the only time we get lower than average bills is when its in my wife name as she is a local. But if I try and do anything in my name the cost is a minimum 4 times higher. Plus when I went to look at buying a house, the prices were way off the prices she was getting. Plus there is some program for Mexican like a social credit that makes the cost of the house cheaper. No idea what that is but not going to argue. 

When I try and talk to my wife, she just says Mexico is corrupt and that's just the way it is. Then I smile and say yes, Mexico is corrupt but at least they are honest about it.

That was just a guess on my part, that I had gotten a ten times normal bill because I don't have a Mexican name. What the woman at the CFE office said was that if they don't make it out to read the meter, it will be estimated, but that it is supposed to be estimated based on your consumption history.

I have lived in Mexico for about 20 years, and while sometimes some Mexicans will "try it on", like the guy in the supermarket parking lot who shines up headlights telling me 800 pesos to do that (I just laugh and walk away), I have not found that Mexicans in general try to rip me off at all. In other words, no "gringo tax". Speaking Spanish and not giving the appearance of being wealthy helps.

 

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The more I read this thread the more I am shaking my head.  This guy is getting hammered...accused of being a thief and shamed.  Is this all necessary or is it the Covid affect?

He is obviously not that savvy about electricity in Mexico. Appears all the neighbors are getting small bills too. Yes, he should have know when seeing 0 consumption that something was amiss but the Mexican wife says "it's OK... it's the norm here". Previous bills are the same.... all zero.  So he skates. I probably would have also under all the circumstances.

Maybe it.... the piling on.... has something to do with his previous Posts and maybe some got a 'bad taste' about that, but IMO we should just back off. He's now aware. He's not a crook. We've 'warned' him of possible consequences. What he does from here is his business. Again....IMO.

 

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1 hour ago, RickS said:

The more I read this thread the more I am shaking my head.  This guy is getting hammered...accused of being a thief and shamed.  Is this all necessary or is it the Covid affect?

He is obviously not that savvy about electricity in Mexico. Appears all the neighbors are getting small bills too. Yes, he should have know when seeing 0 consumption that something was amiss but the Mexican wife says "it's OK... it's the norm here". Previous bills are the same.... all zero.  So he skates. I probably would have also under all the circumstances.

Maybe it.... the piling on.... has something to do with his previous Posts and maybe some got a 'bad taste' about that, but IMO we should just back off. He's now aware. He's not a crook. We've 'warned' him of possible consequences. What he does from here is his business. Again....IMO.

 

Thank you. As I never said it read as zero, another poster stated that. Unfortunately the bill is in Spanish and I can’t find where the usage amount is. 
 

but I am not sure why it’s a big deal, I am looking into it and if there is a problem, I will get the CFE to correct. 
 

I get it, people don’t like change or someone challenging the status quo. So to those who are offended by previous posts, well, that’s unfortunate, people may not always agree with what I say, as I don’t always agree what others say, but it is just my view point. I won’t apologize for having one and wouldn’t expect anyone else to apologize for theirs. 
 

but in any case, if the attempt was to hurt my feelings, well you will need to try harder. I have faced criticism in a national level newspaper. So I doubt a conversation here will change that. 

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1 hour ago, mudgirl said:

I have not found that Mexicans in general try to rip me off at all. In other words, no "gringo tax". Speaking Spanish and not giving the appearance of being wealthy helps.

Never said they were trying to rip you off. I think it’s just business. Whatever the market will bare as they say. Fact is I live very modestly.
 

Truth is, we have a completely different idea of fair market value, so my wife does most of the work, because I would unknowingly over pay for everything. What I consider reasonable she considers outrageous. 

So I would completely understand if they did have a gringo tax, because I wouldn’t know anyway. I pay what I consider a fair price, which is what we all do. But that is by Canadian standards. Unfortunately as a Canadian I have been conditioned to over pay for everything. 
 

 

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14 minutes ago, Northtek said:

Unfortunately as a Canadian I have been conditioned to over pay for everything. 

You may have been conditioned to overpay for everything, but that has nothing to do with being a Canadian. I'm also Canadian.

You talk in circles and make no sense. You now say the CFE bill is "unfortunately" in Spanish (well, of course it is) so you can't figure out where to see the usage. Yet your wife is Mexican but somehow can't point out to you where on the bill the usage is shown?

No one gets a 25 peso electric bill unless their place is fully on solar, they aren't using any electricity, or there is something wrong with the meter. It isn't "normal" but for some reason you refuse to believe that.

 

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5 hours ago, mudgirl said:

You may have been conditioned to overpay for everything, but that has nothing to do with being a Canadian. I'm also Canadian.

You talk in circles and make no sense. You now say the CFE bill is "unfortunately" in Spanish (well, of course it is) so you can't figure out where to see the usage. Yet your wife is Mexican but somehow can't point out to you where on the bill the usage is shown?

No one gets a 25 peso electric bill unless their place is fully on solar, they aren't using any electricity, or there is something wrong with the meter. It isn't "normal" but for some reason you refuse to believe that.

 

Exactly. 

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4 hours ago, Tingting said:

Exactly. 

In my case I also get the minimum bills because we leave all 4 breakers on the panel switched off.  The fridge is left propped open. No electricity is being used at all.  I got this mystery charge. Th is despite of all payments (as per the bills) being made on time by my bank.  I have not been able to get an answer as to what this $7,500 amount is for.  This did not appear on any bills.  We have not been using any electricity since we left in March 2020.

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