Union Fenosa - One more Time - Forum

Hi all,Since we had service on our property approx 4 yrs. ago, (had to pay a 1/4 of the cost for a new transformer as well), the company has never been consistent with the bills, regardless of our usage that hasn't changed.My newest issue? They decided to charge us a $400 deposit around a year ago even though their bills are not clear. I just received our latest bill and somehow that deposit is gone but no credit back to us!Does anyone have any ideas? So tired of feeling like we are the extranjeros they have chosen to rip off! I will no longer waste my time going through their drill of how many TVs, ceiling fans, etc. that they request. Nor will going to ASEP who is supposed to help consumers but maybe I should try that again.Suggestions?Thx - getting tired and going broke here thx to this corrupt company! That's a fact.

Replies

Bob Miller September 9, 2017 at 1:57am

This is the kind of shit of to why I cannot wait to move.
Patrick September 7, 2017 at 3:53pm

1. find a good electrician and have him check all your electrical lines to ensure no leakage. Ask him to supply a report.

2. monitor your watts usage by writing down the watts used on a daily basis and compare to previous days usage to try to pinpoint when a spike in electricity is observed. Keep a written record.

3. identify your meter (old clock type or new digital), take a picture of it with the identification number. If old type ask to be upgraded to the digital type (much easier to read and compare against old readings).

4. record the identification number on the pole that contains the electrical lines into your house. Take a picture of it if possible.

5. bring all your previous Fenosa bills to establish a median cost of your electrical usage,

6. bring a list of all your electrical appliance's used in your house or photos of those appliance's.

7. go to the Fenosa main office in David with all your documentation and ask to speak with a Supervisor. Explain your problem in a calm, tranquil voice, maybe good to bring a Spanish speaking friend along. Get the Supervisors name and phone number to maintain a contact for further problems.

Remain calm at all times. If no satisfaction is obtained try to go off the grid as much as possible with solar panels for hot water, propane gas dryer, gas stove, gas oven, etc, and a generator if need be. Hopefully, you live in Boquete where an air conditioner is not needed.

Best of Luck

Patrick
- Amanda Firestone > Patrick September 7, 2017 at 6:58pm
  
  It's been my experience that most electricians don't have the equipment to check what needs to be checked. Juan Arauz does. Plus, he personally took my case to UF and has saved me over $100 a month when he proved to them that the problem was in their transformer. I had been through four other electricians prior to that. So he's electrician and facilitator all in one. I recommend him for people who think they are being overcharged monthly.
  - Patrick > Amanda Firestone September 8, 2017 at 3:07pm
    
    That's why you need to find a GOOD electrician. How much did Juan Arauz cost for his services? Can you post his telephone number or e-mail address? Good information.
    - Amanda Firestone > Patrick September 8, 2017 at 5:00pm
      
      6550-6370
      
      730-8305
      
      juan@arauzcoffee.com
      
      http://www.overclockcenter.net/
      
      Juan is a licensed electrician as well as a computer man. He did what four or five other electricians couldn't. I go to him for the big problems like this one. He's more expensive than most electricians here, but he's worth it for issues like this. I can't remember exactly what I paid.
      
      Home
      - Floyd R. Turbo > Amanda Firestone September 8, 2017 at 5:37pm
        
        He's also a marine engineer if you need that!
Amanda Firestone September 7, 2017 at 7:14am

My suggestion is that you get a good local facilitator to go to bat for you. It'll be money well spent. These folks know how to deal with all the major suppliers. Their fluency in the language and knowledge of local processes are of immeasurable help.
- thelazyiconoclast > Amanda Firestone September 7, 2017 at 12:49pm
  
  100% agree with Amanda. I find UF is usually reasonable. Best bet is to go to their business office in David with all of your documentation and lay it out. Always a good idea to have a fluent Spanish speaker with you.