BajaNomad

Baja Cactus Pemex

dtutko1 - 4-19-2013 at 07:32 AM

On our return to the US from BCS on 4/3/2013 I gassed up at the Baja Cactus Pemex. I attempted to use my Visa, but after running the card the attendant showed me the credit card reader that the charge was rejected. I then paid in cash w/o asking for a receipt. When I return to a computer/internet I find that the charge appears on my Visa statement. The bank wants a cash receipt and recommends that I call the establishment and explain the problem. I have the phone number of Baja Cactus, but I'm concerned that when I call there will be no one there to speak English. Does anyone have experience with this type of problem or have a name on a person at Baja Cactus that speaks English?

BajaBlanca - 4-19-2013 at 07:38 AM

Whoa! What a shame....the owner Antonio, is a bajanomader


David K will surely have his phone number (he speaks fluent English).

I suggest a U2U.


And I have no doubt it will be handled pronto.

David K - 4-19-2013 at 08:24 AM

You say you have the number... so call and ask for Antonio saying my importante.

[Edited on 4-19-2013 by David K] muy not my.

[Edited on 4-19-2013 by David K]

dtutko1 - 4-19-2013 at 09:35 AM

Thanks David

David K - 4-19-2013 at 10:39 AM

If that still fail, I can u2u his cell since I think this is an urgent matter he would want to fix asap.

DavidE - 4-19-2013 at 10:39 AM

"He pagado dos veces por una compra de gasolina"

ey pah-GAH-doe dose vayses pore oona KOHM-prah de gas-o-LEEN-ah

This is why I DO NOT use a card anywhere remote except in an area where I can immediately return if I see an overcharge on my billing.

Gasolineras are gas stations, PEMEX, asking a Mexicano for a PEMEX will get you directed to the nearest refinery or tank farm.

DENNIS - 4-19-2013 at 10:49 AM

Don....Was that a debit card? Normally with a credit card transaction, they will immediatly cancel the transaction pending investigation.

Just another reason to avoid using a US bank debit card, Visa or otherwise, outside of an ATM.

dtutko1 - 4-21-2013 at 07:19 AM

Dennis
It was a credit card. My experience is that if it were an American Express card the charge would have been reversed pending an investigation, but w/a Visa (especially w/B of A) they want me to solve the issue w/ the business.

Skipjack Joe - 4-21-2013 at 09:30 AM

It's a good thing you checked your bills. I've had occurences like that and always assume that I wont be double charged. Good lesson.

TMW - 4-21-2013 at 09:46 AM

I have a BofA visa and when I've disputed the charge they took care of it.

bajajudy - 4-21-2013 at 10:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
I have a BofA visa and when I've disputed the charge they took care of it.


Me too
Call back maybe the next person will help you.

DianaT - 4-21-2013 at 10:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
Quote:
Originally posted by TW
I have a BofA visa and when I've disputed the charge they took care of it.


Me too
Call back maybe the next person will help you.


Ask to speak to a supervisor --- that often works real well.

ligui - 4-22-2013 at 05:30 AM

Did Antonio and you ever hook up and talk about what happened ? I stop there on my way thru and wanted to hear how they deal with this.

Thanks :bounce:

Bajahowodd - 4-22-2013 at 04:53 PM

Bought gas there last Monday. Antonio was stocking the snack machine.:lol:

DENNIS - 4-22-2013 at 04:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Bought gas there last Monday. Antonio was stocking the snack machine.:lol:


Why don't you give us a trip report and stick around for a while? :light:

mtgoat666 - 4-22-2013 at 05:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtutko1
Baja Cactus Pemex


WHY is this the most-discussed Pemex in the entire Baja penninsula?
There are other Pemexes a pretty short distance north of El Rosario,... I usually fill up on south side of San Quintin and only stop for food in El Rosario (at that yummy place next to policia, across street from baseball field, what's it called?)

rts551 - 4-22-2013 at 05:30 PM

its called nomad advertising

Whale-ista - 4-22-2013 at 05:32 PM

Good information here to avoid future problems with debit or credit cards.,I try to use cash when travelling To avoid these situations.

Which Pemex is this?

In all my Years of traveling Baja I've only been ripped off at a Pemex station one time, in Guerrero Negro. The attendants greeted me and started talking before they filled my tank on a small four-wheel-drive station wagon. the tank only held 12 gallons. When they stopped pumping and asked me for payment I realized they had managed to put 16 gallons in a 12 gallon tank.

When I pointed out that was impossible they just shrugged and insisted I owed them the full amount.

I then realized they had distracted me so I wouldn't notice they hadn't cleared the pump From the previous sale before putting gas in my car.

It was only a few dollars but I still remember it nearly 20 years later. I'll never go back to that Pemex station again.

David K - 4-22-2013 at 05:37 PM

1) Baja Cactus Pemex has honest pumps.
2) Baja Cactus Pemex is owned by a Baja Nomad who provides travel assistance and is bi-lingual and goes out of his way to help those in need, even if they are not customers.
3) Baja Cactus Pemex remains the final Pemex station before a nearly 200 mile 'dry' stretch to the next Pemex at Villa Jesus Maria or Bahia de los Angeles.
4) While competitive newbies to Pemex are adding stations south of San Quintin, it is still over 20 miles to El Rosario, and that is 1-2 gallons for most of us... and Antonio's family has been selling gasoline in El Rosario for decades, so I am in favor of some loyalty to the pioneers of Baja travel service providers.

'Baja Cactus' Gasoline in 1956 (Mama Espinoza's is down the road, as it is today, but without the gasoline station anymore):

Whale-ista - 4-22-2013 at 05:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
1) Baja Cactus Pemex has honest pumps.
2) Baja Cactus Pemex is owned by a Baja Nomad who provides travel assistance and is bi-lingual and goes out of his way to help those in need, even if they are not customers.
3) Baja Cactus Pemex remains the final Pemex station before a nearly 200 mile 'dry' stretch to the next Pemex at Villa Jesus Maria or Bahia de los Angeles.
4) While competitive newbies to Pemex are adding stations south of San Quintin, it is still over 20 miles to El Rosario, and that is 1-2 gallons for most of us... and Antonio's family has been selling gasoline in El Rosario for decades, so I am in favor of some loyalty to the pioneers of Baja travel service providers.

'Baja Cactus' Gasoline in 1956 (Mama Espinoza's is down the road, as it is today, but without the gasoline station anymore):



Thanks David. I wasn't casting aspersions on this gas station. When I came back in March and stopped there it was probably the nicest Pemex I've been in. Even my travel companion commented on the luxurious restrooms.

I remember the attendants and they were very polite and definitely honest. Let's hope this is mixup is just an honest mistake.

David K - 4-22-2013 at 06:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Whale-ista
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
1) Baja Cactus Pemex has honest pumps.
2) Baja Cactus Pemex is owned by a Baja Nomad who provides travel assistance and is bi-lingual and goes out of his way to help those in need, even if they are not customers.
3) Baja Cactus Pemex remains the final Pemex station before a nearly 200 mile 'dry' stretch to the next Pemex at Villa Jesus Maria or Bahia de los Angeles.
4) While competitive newbies to Pemex are adding stations south of San Quintin, it is still over 20 miles to El Rosario, and that is 1-2 gallons for most of us... and Antonio's family has been selling gasoline in El Rosario for decades, so I am in favor of some loyalty to the pioneers of Baja travel service providers.

'Baja Cactus' Gasoline in 1956 (Mama Espinoza's is down the road, as it is today, but without the gasoline station anymore):


Thanks David. I wasn't casting aspersions on this gas station. When I came back in March and stopped there it was probably the nicest Pemex I've been in. Even my travel companion commented on the luxurious restrooms.

I remember the attendants and they were very polite and definitely honest. Let's hope this is mixup is just an honest mistake.


Thank you for the reply, and nice report on the Baja Cactus experience MOST of us have in El Rosario. There are always exceptions, and until a bad attendant is replaced, not every Pemex can be 100%.

The same man owns the motel next door, and if you want an inexpensive bit of luxury for your accommodations, stay in one of the newer rooms.

acadist - 4-22-2013 at 06:29 PM

The old rooms aren't too bad in a pinch either!

ligui - 4-23-2013 at 06:31 AM

Have stayed there many times and love the break from driving from the border to here . Next morning up early and head out for a sunrise drive into empty baja with my free coffee from Baja Cactus .

Puts a smile on my face everytime ! :bounce::bounce:

dtutko1 - 4-23-2013 at 08:00 AM

An Update:
I got Antonio s phone # from David K. I finally got through to him. He was very accommodating and polite. He asked that I email him with the details and that he would see what he could do to straighten it out. I emailed the info and will keep you posted on the results. Thanks David and fellow Nomads.

David K - 4-23-2013 at 08:15 AM

That's how Antonio is... I only wish he would find time to post here like he used to. Glad I could help make the connection for you!:light:

Very Tempting

Bajahowodd - 4-23-2013 at 05:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Bought gas there last Monday. Antonio was stocking the snack machine.:lol:


Why don't you give us a trip report and stick around for a while? :light:


Inasmuch as I've been doing the drive back and forth to Cabo for 25 years, I and we don't do any photos. But if you want to read a trip report, sans photos, I'll give it a go soon.

DianaT - 4-23-2013 at 05:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Bought gas there last Monday. Antonio was stocking the snack machine.:lol:


Why don't you give us a trip report and stick around for a while? :light:


Inasmuch as I've been doing the drive back and forth to Cabo for 25 years, I and we don't do any photos. But if you want to read a trip report, sans photos, I'll give it a go soon.


Good to see you hanging around once again.

brewer - 4-23-2013 at 05:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
1) Baja Cactus Pemex has honest pumps.
2) Baja Cactus Pemex is owned by a Baja Nomad who provides travel assistance and is bi-lingual and goes out of his way to help those in need, even if they are not customers.
3) Baja Cactus Pemex remains the final Pemex station before a nearly 200 mile 'dry' stretch to the next Pemex at Villa Jesus Maria or Bahia de los Angeles.
4) While competitive newbies to Pemex are adding stations south of San Quintin, it is still over 20 miles to El Rosario, and that is 1-2 gallons for most of us... and Antonio's family has been selling gasoline in El Rosario for decades, so I am in favor of some loyalty to the pioneers of Baja travel service providers.

'Baja Cactus' Gasoline in 1956 (Mama Espinoza's is down the road, as it is today, but without the gasoline station anymore):

brewer - 4-23-2013 at 05:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by brewer
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
1) Baja Cactus Pemex has honest pumps.
2) Baja Cactus Pemex is owned by a Baja Nomad who provides travel assistance and is bi-lingual and goes out of his way to help those in need, even if they are not customers.
3) Baja Cactus Pemex remains the final Pemex station before a nearly 200 mile 'dry' stretch to the next Pemex at Villa Jesus Maria or Bahia de los Angeles.
4) While competitive newbies to Pemex are adding stations south of San Quintin, it is still over 20 miles to El Rosario, and that is 1-2 gallons for most of us... and Antonio's family has been selling gasoline in El Rosario for decades, so I am in favor of some loyalty to the pioneers of Baja travel service providers.

'Baja Cactus' Gasoline in 1956 (Mama Espinoza's is down the road, as it is today, but without the gasoline station anymore):


Thanks for the CLASSIC picture. I would have loved to be going down in that era!

Marc - 4-23-2013 at 05:58 PM

An old scam; the clerk keeps the cash.

David K - 4-23-2013 at 06:14 PM

Hi Brewer, yes indeed... a Willys Wagon and south into the wild west! This is one of the photos from Howard Gulick (author/ map maker) for the Lower California Guidebook (1956-1970 editions).

See the entire collection at the link, on my home page: http://vivabaja.com There is a link for Howard's maps from the guidebook 1962 edition, as well as a link to Harry Crosby's photos and maps of the El Camino Real in Baja California.

Enjoy! Baja of the 1960's is how I first saw the peninsula (in a Kaiser-Jeep Wagoneer)... the pavement just ended, between 72 miles south of Ensenada (between San Vicente and Colonet)... and as my dad would say: "Now the adventure begins!"

We wouldn't see pavement again for several days, about 100 miles north of La Paz to 10 miles south of La Paz.

Skipjack Joe - 4-24-2013 at 07:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K



Priceless image. And in color, too.

Mama Espinoza has seen it all.

David K - 4-24-2013 at 07:18 AM

Antonio's family were Standard Oil (Chevron) distributors and Mama Espinoza's was a Union Oil (76) distributor... even though the Mexican government with Pemex had nationalized all foreign gasoline sales... in the 50's and 60's the American brand signs were still up.

dtutko1 - 5-28-2013 at 12:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtutko1
An Update:
I got Antonio s phone # from David K. I finally got through to him. He was very accommodating and polite. He asked that I email him with the details and that he would see what he could do to straighten it out. I emailed the info and will keep you posted on the results. Thanks David and fellow Nomads.


Happy Endings
Thanks to David K for giving me Antonios phone number. As I mentioned Antonio was very accommodating, but was unable to reverse the charge himself, B of A wanted me to produce a cash receipt that I did not have. I emailed Antonio told him the problem. He emailed me a receipt for the amount of the transaction. I submitted it to B of A and they credited my account. Yah!

desertcpl - 5-28-2013 at 12:49 PM

great, nice ending

Bajatripper - 5-28-2013 at 02:50 PM

So, David, you gonna give us some background on the photo, or just leave some of us wondering? I know you didn't beat me to Baja, so what gives?

elgatoloco - 5-28-2013 at 04:02 PM

http://libraries.ucsd.edu/speccoll/baja/gulick/index.html

David K - 5-28-2013 at 04:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatripper
So, David, you gonna give us some background on the photo, or just leave some of us wondering? I know you didn't beat me to Baja, so what gives?


Steve... look up on this thread and you will see this:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

posted on 4-23-2013 at 06:14 PM


Hi Brewer, yes indeed... a Willys Wagon and south into the wild west! This is one of the photos from Howard Gulick (author/ map maker) for the Lower California Guidebook (1956-1970 editions).

See the entire collection at the link, on my home page: http://vivabaja.com There is a link for Howard's maps from the guidebook 1962 edition, as well as a link to Harry Crosby's photos and maps of the El Camino Real in Baja California.

Enjoy! Baja of the 1960's is how I first saw the peninsula (in a Kaiser-Jeep Wagoneer)... the pavement just ended, between 72 miles south of Ensenada (between San Vicente and Colonet)... and as my dad would say: "Now the adventure begins!"

We wouldn't see pavement again for several days, about 100 miles north of La Paz to 10 miles south of La Paz.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to elgatoloco who produced the direct link, which is one of many you can find to help explore Baja, at http://vivabaja.com

However..

Bajahowodd - 5-29-2013 at 04:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Antonio's family were Standard Oil (Chevron) distributors and Mama Espinoza's was a Union Oil (76) distributor... even though the Mexican government with Pemex had nationalized all foreign gasoline sales... in the 50's and 60's the American brand signs were still up.


With ever diminishing production, it does appear that the Mexican government will be actively seeking to bring back foreign companies with the knowledge and technology to extract crude from the Gulf of Mexico.

mulegemichael - 5-29-2013 at 05:10 PM

ahh yes....i had a '51 willys wagon that would go ANYWHERE...why i ever got rid of that rig, i'll never know....we land in el rosario tomorrow night and have decided to try Bajas Best as we've heard good things...our last few trips at cactus were really disappointing...more to follow.

DavidE - 5-29-2013 at 05:54 PM

Once a person rounded the curve, wow, two or three hundred meters then the dirt brecha started. El Rosario really was the "fin de la terraceria". They had a gasolinera particular not PEMEX there. But the gas was dispensed not poured in via a funnel and chamois. The next sometimes-gas was available at Rancho Tres Enriques. Rancho Chapala, then El Arco. The Castro ranch just had two battered drums dropped off, so we lucked out but had to return to El Arco and wait two days for the truck to come. Then San Ignacio, an unexpected wedding, and descent down one hell of a grade to Sta Rosalia. Sounds exotic but I'd have to guess if things had not changed, no highway, about 1/2 of 1 percent of the Nomads that have seen La Paz and the capes would have done so. It was one hell of a ride.

Bob H - 5-29-2013 at 08:15 PM

It still seems very strange to me that with all of these problems posted with the Baja Cactus Motel and the Pemex, no responses posted by Antonio. I see that he has not been active on this board since early 2011. Wow...

msawin - 5-29-2013 at 08:23 PM

They have a new baby in the house and I bet sleepless nights.. Not that is a reason for no reply..

rts551 - 5-29-2013 at 08:29 PM

two years inactive is a long time for a new baby. Maybe he just didn't want to be a NOMAD. or more likely doesn't feel the need to engage complaints on this forum. whatever the reason...as we have now seen, there are a lot of other options.

DENNIS - 5-29-2013 at 08:55 PM

"Ignore it and it'll go away."............an Off Topic mantra.

UnoMas - 5-29-2013 at 08:57 PM

Yes there are a lot of other options and you just never know what is going on in someones life that could be more important than you. So give the guy a break he may have bigger issues than pumping gas or renting rooms. Just say'n

David K - 5-30-2013 at 07:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by msawin
They have a new baby in the house and I bet sleepless nights.. Not that is a reason for no reply..


Can you clear this up... "they"?