Re-Connection Fee

[Dibbons]

Not really a joke, but have to either laugh or cry. Walked out to the street to walk the dog this AM to find a power company pick-up truck stationed out front of my home and a guy sitting in the driver's seat looking at his cell phone. I was tempted to ask him if the electric meters are still being read in person or if the data is sent via some kind of wireless connection, but I decided not to bother him.

When I returned from my morning walk with the dog, I found our power had been turned off. Drove twenty minutes away to the Mexican power office (known as "CFE") to find out what was going on. Employee told me to pay the re-connection fee and the power would be turned back on later today. The fee was about $80 Mexican pesos (about $5 USD). I also had to pay the amount from the last billing due which was $2 Mexican pesos (about 11 cents USD). Since when does owing 11¢ justify disconnecting a household's electricity?

 

[moparwacko]

Speaking as an ex ruthless power company employee, Mexican rules must be totally different.
Where I worked, a residential customer would have to be 3 months in arrears before getting a first notice. Then would be a series of contacts by phone, mail, and 2 door hangers at the location. That all takes 60 days. Then it's cut off for non-payment.
Then the games begin, it gets turned back on because the resident supplies a medical certificate.
Once that expires, a new resident moves in (wife's maiden name), and the whole thing starts again.
Rinse - repeat
I've known accounts that have gone on for years without making than more than the initial 3 payments.

11 cents is ridiculous, but a computer sees it as delinquent.

Most US utilities don't even need to be at the property for disconnect anymore. It's done by keyboard via smart meter.

 

[kiwigtx]

Well, I can tell you for a fact that Power companies here in New Zealand stopped doing disconnections without spending at least 3 months investigating each case thoroughly, and personally visiting the household before even attempting a disconnection.

A lower income (state-supported too) family had their power disconnected for non-payment about 16 years ago, and the mother died. She was on an oxygen breathing setup. The Linesman doing the job was almost suicidal after the fact....it was very traumatic for eveyone involved. Made big news here for sure.

Now the Power companies are very gun-shy of disconnections without due cause.

Mercury and family disagree over power cut death - NZ Herald

Mercury Energy says it was unaware that disconnecting power to a south Auckland home could have potentially life-threatening consequences.

Folole Muliaga, 44, died within two hours of a contractor cutting power to her Mangere home at 2pm yesterday.

Today a relative said Mrs Muliaga's family had told the contractor that the mother-of-four was dependent on an oxygen machine, which needed electricity to run.

Mrs Muliaga's son told TV One News that his mother - sitting with the machine - had asked the contractor to give them a chance, but the man had replied he was just doing his job.

However, in a statement this afternoon, Mercury Energy said its preliminary investigation suggested that the contractor was given no indication that disconnection would result in medical danger.

Mercury Energy's General Manager, James Moulder, said: "Our interview with the contractor indicates there was a discussion with Mrs Muliaga, who simply discussed possible bill payment and reconnection timeframes, but did not alert the contractor to her medical situation."