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jarnhestur t1_j5oqsed wrote

Reply to comment by siebzy in Powers out, generators broken, CMP is still assessing and I can’t have my coffee. How many are in same position. by dadoftwins04

CMP isn’t great, but wait until CMP turns into the DMV. That’s not an upgrade.

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indyaj t1_j5p30im wrote

I realize this is probably an unpopular take but I've never had a major problem with the BMV. You can do most of it online, they reply to emails promptly, solve issues quickly and, believe it or not, they're generally nice people. If government power does it like they do the BMV, it'll be infinitely better than CMP.

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ohjeeze_louise t1_j5pds17 wrote

Yeah, BMV and the state tax office has responded to all my calls and emails in under 24 hours, I’ve been very pleased

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indyaj t1_j5pf1y9 wrote

I've even had positive interactions with MDOT, the water testing lab and other state agencies. Of course this is since Mills was elected.

It was so bad under Lepage. I guess it doesn't work as well when you defund government, fire the employees and lay waste to morale.

edit: word

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P-Townie t1_j5p9tje wrote

Because private cable companies and health insurance are not bureaucratic nightmares?

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jarnhestur t1_j5pwam7 wrote

Nope. But I can cancel my cable and my HR team can put pressure on my insurance company. Even with CMP, the PUC has oversight.

We have zero recourse with the government.

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P-Townie t1_j5q4nwo wrote

Pine Tree Power would have oversight from the Maine Public Utilities Commission. You can't cancel your electric service any differently now than you could under public power, so that's not an argument for private ownership. You sound privileged to have an HR team that will fight for you.

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keanenottheband t1_j5qnefq wrote

Do you even live in Maine? The DMV is not an issue here

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jarnhestur t1_j5rqtb4 wrote

Yeah, you got me. The Maine State government is awesomely run.

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FITM-K t1_j5pft4h wrote

I've never had a negative experience with a BMV in Maine, and I've been to at least three different locations at various times. If our power and service were as friendly, helpful, and efficient as the BMV experiences I've had, that'd be great!

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jarnhestur t1_j5pvkoz wrote

Serious question - have you ever tried to get them to do something they didn’t want to do? They basically tell you to go screw and you have zero recourse.

Granted, CMP isn’t great, but I have no idea why people love government agencies so much.

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FITM-K t1_j5px5iw wrote

> have you ever tried to get them to do something they didn’t want to do? They basically tell you to go screw and you have zero recourse.

It sounds like you're referring to some specific experience here. Not sure why you're being vague about it. But no, that hasn't happened to me. I have asked for minor not-in-the-job-description type favors a couple times (like making an extra copy of something) and they have always been happy to oblige.

Even if they weren't, though, would that really separate them from the customer service at most corporations? It's like pulling teeth to get most companies to do even the things they ARE supposed to do, because doing things costs them money and they know if they make it hard enough, many people will just give up.

> but I have no idea why people love government agencies so much.

Because government agencies have the goal of providing a service to you, not extracting the maximum profit from you while providing as little service as possible.

(And because many of us have traveled and lived abroad, and have seen firsthand what it's like when government services are actually well-funded).

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jarnhestur t1_j5q09b2 wrote

The only experience I would classify as painless is anytime I’ve had to go in on a snow day and it was empty. I’ve had to argue with some employee at MV that yes, I really needed a REAL ID compliant license. She kept telling me they aren’t required and while I assured her that’s true, as a frequent flying it’s less hassle to have one. That was a 5 minute conversation after an hour long wait.

I won’t even get into my IRS story. Government agencies have zero interest in providing any real customer service.

I have spoke to CMP a few times and while it’s never a pleasant experience, they aren’t any better or worse than our government.

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