A Cuban woman reported on her social media an attempted scam she experienced while buying food from a street vendor in Havana.
The user, who identifies herself on Instagram as marilyndalop, shared in a video what happened to her and requested to share her story to warn potential future victims.
Marilyn showed a small digital scale used by vendors that can display the weight of goods in kilograms, pounds, or ounces.
The problem is that the unit of measurement is printed in very small letters underneath the number that indicates the weight.
"They give it to you in ounces, and they easily take off two, three, or five pounds," he noted.
According to the complainant, the seller shows the customer the scale very quickly so that they only have time to see the number. But instead of displaying the amount in pounds, it shows it in ounces, which results in a higher figure, thus charging them more than what is due.
"I feel very sorry for the elderly, because one pound of tomatoes is currently costing 500 pesos. If they give you two extra pounds, that's a thousand pesos. Life is very tough to get ripped off like this," she expressed.
The video has gone viral.
Dozens of people commented, and not a few claimed to have been victims of similar thefts.
"What a tremendous piece of information, look how with something seemingly insignificant they can be scamming you right to your face and you don't even realize it!" said one.
"Every time I go shopping, I bring my scale, which is the same as theirs, and I hold it in my hand so they can see it," emphasized another.
"And some get angry when you kindly ask them to show you the scale... it's very good to report them," commented a third person.
Frequently Asked Questions about Scams and the Economic Situation in Cuba
How do scams with digital scales work in Cuba?
Street vendors in Cuba use digital scales that display weight in various units, such as kilograms, pounds, or ounces. The trick is to show the weight in ounces, which results in a higher figure, thereby deceiving the customer into charging them more than they should. The customer, not noticing the change in units, ends up paying for more weight than they are actually purchasing.
Why are street vendors pursued by the authorities in Cuba?
Street vendors in Cuba are persecuted because authorities consider many of their activities to be illegal and their prices to be excessive. However, the crackdown on these vendors overlooks the reality that their offerings fill the gaps in product availability within the official distribution system, especially in vulnerable communities. The contradiction lies in the fact that prices in state markets are also exorbitant, leaving citizens with few options.
What is the current situation of food prices in Cuba?
The economic situation in Cuba is critical, with extremely high food prices that exceed the salaries of many workers. For example, a single onion can cost up to 900 Cuban pesos, and a carton of eggs 2,700 pesos. Inflation has severely eroded purchasing power, forcing many to rely on remittances or seek additional jobs to make ends meet.
How do scams and seizures affect street vendors in Cuba?
Scams and confiscations pose a significant challenge for street vendors, who already face a difficult economic environment. Authorities often confiscate their products or impose exorbitant fines, which can lead them to financial ruin. Furthermore, the lack of public support, which sometimes takes advantage of confiscation situations to acquire products at laughably low prices, exacerbates their situation.
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