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A New Lesson in Mexico Life Every Day
 William Michael - vallartaescapes.com
April 29, 2010
The date on the electric bill said 26 April. Not a problem, except the bill is due upon receipt and the date on the bill is the last day to pay before the electricity is shut off. So, at 8 am on April 27th, I headed for the CFE office to pay the bill before they sent the man over to turn off my electricity.
There were three people in front of me and the time went quickly. I walked up to the payment window when it was my turn. Presented the bill to the clerk and slid my money onto the counter. Since we work in Puerto Vallarta, which is a vacation destination, we receive many United States Dollars. My payment was a combination of Mexican pesos and U.S. dollars. The clerk promptly told me that CFE does not take currency other than Mexican.
Not a problem, except the Cambio (Money Exchange) Houses do not open until 10 am, and surely my electricity would be shut-off before then. What to do... I began a pilgrimage to seven OXXOs. For those not familiar with the fastest growing company in Mexico, OXXO is a convenience store open 24 hours a day.
There are over 5000 OXXO stores in Mexico, and one almost every three blocks in Puerto Vallarta. OXXO was created by Pacifico beer to compete with Corona, the number one beer company south of the border. OXXO does not carry Corona, is better priced food-wise, and is more available to the public. Pretty smart, huh?
OXXO accepts US dollars, and quite often with a favorable exchange rate. I walked into the nearest OXXO, purchased some peanuts (Cacahuates) and paid with a twenty dollar bill. With the exchange rate, I walked out with over $200 pesos.
Down the road and around the corner I entered the second OXXO, picked up a package of gum and presented the next twenty dollar bill. This time I was told "No Tengo Cambio" (I do not have change). Whether it was because of my meager purchase or the fact that I walked directly in and picked up the gum, there was to be no change for me at this OXXO. Twenty Dollar bills are used by the drug traffickers because they are more acceptable than larger bills and many find their way into stores.
Now, traveling further from the hustle and bustle zone, the OXXOs were further apart. I purchased a six pesos yogurt and exchanged my twenty dollar bill. I didn’t want the gum anyway, and the yogurt was more healthy.
A ten dollar bill was used at the next OXXO to purchase a Snickers bar. This would be for my daughter. Unfortunately, the bill had been signed by a previous owner and was therefore unacceptable. After pulling out a different ten dollar bill the transaction was completed and I was off and running.
One block away was a Farmacia Guadalajara, where I had purchased a school pen earlier in the morning. The clerk rang up my M&M’s and when I handed her the ten dollar bill, face down, it was quickly slipped into the cash drawer as we exchanged smiles.
Five more blocks and I pulled into a brand new OXXO with it’s 24 hour lights blazing. Approaching the door the multiple Clausurado signs came into focus. For whatever reason, the government had chosen to close this store, hopefully temporarily.
I could not bring myself to purchase any more junk food, so, at the last OXXO, I purchased $20 pesos of Telcel minutes for my cellular phone and exchanged a five dollar bill. Back in the car, I assembled my pesos and centavos to reach the necessary amount to pay the electric bill.
It was now 9 am, and my car sped back to the payment office, where I once again presented the bill and all the pesos in my pocket. I attempted to explain my proud hunt for cambio, but the clerk was NOT impressed.
Fifteen minutes later, I arrived home with pleasure AND electricity. Many vendors gladly take dollars and then hoard them until the cambio houses have favorable exchange rates. CFE simply wants their due. Which just goes to show that there's a new lesson to learn about living in Mexico each, and every, day.
Born in Denver, CO, William Michael has called Puerto Vallarta home for more than seven years. Drawing on his twenty years experience in Real Estate, William Michael has consistently been a Top Producer. For more information, visit VallartaEscapes.com or send an email to WilliamMichael(at)VallartaEscapes.com. |
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