Numerous individuals have taken to social media to expose an alleged scam by the state-run store Mallhaitech Cuba, which is accused of deceiving online customers purchasing appliances. Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez, a Cuban citizen, has spotlighted Mallhaitech Cuba, known for its online appliance sales, accusing it of deceptive practices that disadvantage Cuban families.
For many Cubans on the island, as well as their relatives abroad, acquiring home appliances online represents a significant sacrifice intended to improve their harsh living conditions. However, those who have purchased from Mallhaitech often report a common grievance: payments are made, but the products never arrive.
Unveiling the Alleged Deceit
Widely shared on Facebook, the complaints indicate that Mallhaitech Cuba lists products as available for pre-order without clearly notifying customers that the items are not presently in Cuba. Customers often discover the truth only after payment, when they inquire about their order status, learning the items are on "pre-order" or can't be delivered due to shortages of transportation and fuel.
This excuse is even used in Havana, home to Haitech's central warehouse, a partner of the engineering services company COPEXTEL.
Marketing with Celebrity Endorsements
Mallhaitech Cuba has engaged in extensive promotional campaigns featuring Cuban soap opera actors, YouTubers, and prominent social media influencers. Rodríguez warns that these figures might be unaware that their endorsements are supporting questionable business practices, causing disappointment among their followers.
This issue impacts not only customers in Cuba but also those abroad who painstakingly send money to their families to purchase costly appliances—prices that starkly contrast with the average Cuban salary.
Efforts to Suppress Negative Feedback
Dissatisfied customers have voiced their concerns on social media, noting that Mallhaitech Cuba frequently deletes negative reviews from its website and social media pages, preventing potential buyers from learning about past customers' experiences.
Rodríguez possesses further evidence, including email exchanges between the store and its customers where the company admits to its lack of transparency.
The allegations urge others to share this information to prevent more families on the island and Cuban expatriates from falling into this "loop of informality, indifference, and mistreatment towards customers who pay with hard currency."
This situation once again highlights the challenges faced by Cuban consumers, particularly in the burgeoning online shopping sector, which lacks effective consumer protection mechanisms.