Consumers Denounce Violations by Economic Actors.
Addressing each complaint related to price violations promptly will achieve true consumer satisfaction and, at the very least, reduce the hardship many Matanzas residents face in acquiring food and essential products for their survival.
Among the violations that consumers in Matanzas face almost daily is the dishonest practice of concealing product prices on the information boards that commercial establishments, both state-run and private, are required to display.
This practice has become common among a growing number of businesses, who fail to display the price and weight of products in a visible location. Furthermore, they engage in an action that can only be described as outrageous to customers: displaying a fictitious price solely to show it to inspectors.
In this way, consumers often feel as if they’ve been doused with cold water when they realize that the initial estimate was a mere illusion.
The merchants will argue, almost brazenly, that a product has several prices: the fictitious one, to show to those in charge, and the true, higher price, for the consumers.
The celebratory tone with which they confess their scheme leads us to believe that deception has become so deeply ingrained in our social fabric that committing such a violation doesn’t even embarrass the offenders. Worse still, it happens in plain sight, and often there are consequences.
Despite this, several regulatory bodies are trying to combat this growing scourge that affects the population.
Ismael Rodríguez, head of the Inspection Department of the Provincial Directorate of Commerce, emphatically clarifies that these economic actors are committing a punishable offense.
«In the case of self-employed workers engaged in the sale of merchandise, services, and prepared food products, they are obligated, as part of their business activities, to display an information board with the product name, weight, and price.»
The director warns that violating this regulation results in several infractions that can lead to measures such as hefty fines and even the partial or total closure of the establishment.
Every day, the inspectors under his command, belonging to the Ministry of Domestic Trade, patrol the city to combat these illegal activities, which, in addition to being clear violations, constitute blatant mistreatment of consumers.
Ismael Rodríguez also warns about new fraudulent practices with the clear objective of violating the regulations established through numerous mandatory resolutions and decrees.
«This pernicious practice being used by self-employed individuals—setting one price for the inspector and a hidden price for the consumer—constitutes several infractions stipulated in tax decrees, with fines that can reach up to 46,000 pesos and even the revocation of the license authorizing the activity.
«The price displayed on the information board is the actual amount the customer must pay; any other action will represent a serious, punishable violation.»
Only by systematically combating these harmful practices will credibility be gained in a social environment where social indiscipline prevails as a result of a lack of control and enforcement.
Promptly addressing each complaint related to price gouging will achieve true consumer satisfaction and, at the very least, alleviate the hardship many residents of Matanzas face in acquiring food and essential products for their survival.
Cartoon taken from the Internet
Written by Arnaldo Mirabal.
