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FROM
CUBA
Product warranties meaningless in Cuba
SANTA CLARA, Cuba, October 12 (Cubanacán
Press / www.cubanet.org) - Product warranties
are meaningless in Cuba, as attested by
the myriad complaints of consumers; appliances
seem to top the list.
People complaining about one or another
difficulty with a malfunctioning product
and running into a wall when attempting
to have the store make good on its warranty
are heard everywhere. Recently, even the
government press took notice. Authorities
have created an investigative committee
within the Ministry of Internal Commerce.
Many here say the basic problem is the
government buys cheap products abroad to
sell at high prices in its dollar stores.
When the products malfunction, as they often
do, there is no one either empowered to
remedy the consumer's plight or even interested
in doing so.
Customers who thought they would be able
to have cold water around their homes back
in August, 2001 are still waiting for their
refrigerators to be repaired or replaced.
Some who bought a color TV hoping to watch
the Sydney Olympics were not even able to
watch those in Athens four years later.
Recently my 84-year-old grandmother stated
at dinner she wanted to buy a washing machine
with some dollars one of her grandsons had
sent her from abroad. We just looked up
and said: "Let us eat in peace, granma."
Versión
original en español
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