Bricks, stones, bottles and anything products
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
Foz do Iguaçu - Shopping in Paraguay requires more attention from consumers. Since the end of last year, the Tourism Police recorded 105 complaints against traders in Ciudad del Este on the border of Foz do Iguaçu. Instead of the goods they delivered to customers bricks, stones, bottles of mineral water and even cheaper liquor.
The trick is carried away from the eyes of the buyer. The customer selects the product is tested (in the case of electronics and computers), but does not follow the person doing the packaging. Get the package ready to go and when he gets home or hotel receives a very pleasant surprise.
The good news is that now the victims have to turn. Since December 2008 works at the customs of Ciudad del Este the Tourist Security Division, where the Police Tourism, created by the current government.
The head of the division, Victor Acosta, says the role of the Tourist Police is to receive complaints and forward them to the prosecutors. "Before many cases also occurred, but only that they are not criticized," he says. The police also accompany victims to retail stores where the purchase was made and usually manage to recover the goods or money. Most of the complainants is sacoleiros tourists and Brazilians.
In the Division of Tourism Security, Acosta displays a collection of bad examples. A customer bought a phone, but when you open the cabinet had a small bottle of rum to simulate the weight of the product. Another bought a camera, but when he went to see the goods found a chain and padlock. Instead of a sound car, a tourist received four full bottles of mineral water. Usually the cases occur in small shops and little known.
One of the most recent fraud was reported earlier this month. A Sacoleiro of Mato Grosso do Sul has $ 5 thousand in the hands of a seller, but when the stock was to travel realized that the boxes of the products were real, but instead of the goods had stones and bricks.
Police say there are also vendors who, instead of packaging the product chosen by the consumer, deliver a lower quality.
The complaints that reach the Tourist Police are forwarded to prosecutors in Paraguay and is instructed to proceed with the investigation and punish those responsible. One of the practical results so far was the closing of a store and to issue an arrest warrant for a trader who is a fugitive.
The president of the Importers of Alto Paraná (Cicap), Charif Hammoud, said the organization is closely monitoring the situation. He said the city has also appointed a supervisor to respond to complaints and some stores are being processed. "There are few shops that do this and they end up with the image of the trade. It is something that worries us a lot, "he says. Hammoud encourages consumers to make complaints and ask for receipts at time of purchase - the big stores in Ciudad del Este have already issued a statement. He also said that traders have been working with the Ministry of Tourism to provide a seal of quality for serious shopping in order to offer more peace of mind to consumers.
Fee
Another common practice in Paraguay that is in the sights of Tourist Police is the payment of bribes. Allegations of bribes came from Paraguayan police are constant, especially on the roads. This year, the Tourist Police recorded about 15 cases, but the number is much higher because not all people know the Tourist Security Division and have the habit of complaining. Currently, 18 travel agents operating in Ciudad del Este for 24 hours. Some of them move around the city. A similar group will begin work in the city of Salto del Guaira, Guaira neighbor.
Tips
See what are the tips of the Tourism Division to avoid problems while shopping in Paraguay:
Test - to leave the store, check the packed product and test it again.
Help - a victim of fraud, look for the Tourist Police.
Complaint - report cases of requests for bribes made by public officials or police sectors of migration.
Transportation - hire transportation in secure locations such as hotels and airports.
Source: Gazeta do Povo
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
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