A resident of Santa Clara publicly criticized what she described as an "abuse" and a "disrespect" at the MiniMax Caribe Sandino store. Her mother had purchased a box of chicken advertised to weigh 40 pounds, but upon arriving home and thawing it, they discovered a substantial amount of ice and at least five pounds of missing meat.
According to a post on the Facebook group SantaClareando, none of the boxes in the store's freezers were sealed. After paying $35 for the purchase, the product released "a lot of water" when thawed, and it became clear that the actual weight was less than what was paid for. The complainant explained that the ice added before sale inflated the total weight, effectively charging them for pounds of water instead of chicken.
"It's not the same to lose 1 or 2 pounds as it is to lose 5... this is a real abuse, it's unfair all around," she wrote, visibly upset, urging authorities to investigate the practices occurring in that store.
The complaint sparked a wave of comments from local residents who were not surprised by the incident. Some pointed fingers directly at the store clerks, accusing them of blatantly taking advantage of their fellow citizens, a practice they claim is common in many stores that sell in dollars.
Others expressed resignation, believing that "nothing will change" and that complaining to authorities is futile in a country where "everyone steals without remorse" and "we live in a jungle, from dawn they're taking advantage of us."
Several shared similar experiences, including a customer who stopped buying those boxes because "they take out chicken and fill it with water," opting instead for boxes with sealed bags inside, which have consistently provided the correct weight.
Another neighbor recounted purchasing a 40-pound box without weighing it, only to find out they had fallen victim to the same "scam."
MiniMax Caribe Sandino was launched in December 2019 as a new market format by the Caribe Store Chain, aiming to offer a "varied assortment," competitive prices, and self-service to "satisfy" customers. During its inauguration, local authorities presented it as a store with products that were "missing" at the time, such as coffee, toilet paper, tomato puree, and soft drinks.
However, nearly six years since its opening, the store is back in the spotlight, not for its promises of good service, but due to complaints about practices that directly impact the consumers' wallets and trust.
Consumer Concerns and Store Practices in Santa Clara
What issue did the customer in Santa Clara experience with their chicken purchase?
The customer discovered that the box of chicken, which was supposed to weigh 40 pounds, contained a significant amount of ice and was missing at least five pounds of meat.
How did the community react to the complaint about MiniMax Caribe Sandino?
The complaint received numerous comments from locals, many of whom were not surprised by the incident. Some accused store clerks of taking advantage of customers, while others expressed a sense of hopelessness about changing the situation.