My congratulations to the PriceSmart store in Escazu, Costa Rica for winning the “We-Really-Don’t-Give-A-Damn!” about our customers award.

In what can only be described as the worst public relations imaginable, PriceSmart (NASDAQ: PSMT) continues to ignore the family and attorney of a very unfortunate 74 year old Peruvian lady Zaida del Carpio López who was seriously injured while shopping in the PriceSmart store in Escazu, Costa Rica.

Before walking into PriceSmart on the 8th June 2012, Zaida had been in good health but that changed suddenly because while walking along one of the aisles a a 140 kilogram pallet of products fell on top of Zaida del Carpio López.

According to the complaint that was filed, the victim was knocked unconscious and suffered from serious bruising to the body, hands and arms and, with her right arm slashed open, she was bleeding and muscles were ruptured.

Following the accident Zaida then developed more serious problems and was transferred yesterday to Hospital CIMA’s intensive care unit where she remains as her son Hugo Villegas who is a surgeon considers moving her to Houston for heart surgery on what has been diagnosed as a perforated aorta …

• The family’s attorney Mayling Larios claims that PriceSmart has shown “indifference” in the wellbeing of their customer even though it is crystal clear where the fault lies.
• Not only has PriceSmart not offered an apology to the 74 year old woman crushed by their pallet, they have not offered to assist with any of the medical costs associated with the serious injuries sustained in their store.
• Zaida’s Attorney Mayling Larios says that they are “amazed” and it appears to them like a “bad joke” that PriceSmart’s attorney emailed them saying that they could take Zaida from the private Hospital CIMA to be attended in the state run hospital in La Uruca.

On a different note, I’d like to congratulate the Costa Rican dairy cooperative Dos Pinos (La Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos R.L.) for recently being so incredibly responsive and caring when Milagro – the mother of my girlfriend’s adorable grandson Matias – bought a carton of milk recently that was ‘off’.

Milagro telephoned Dos Pinos to complain… The following day at 8am a representative of Dos Pinos telephoned her to find out exactly what happened and the following day after that, the Distribution Manager actually visited Mila in her home to apologize and as a gift delivered six cases of milk as well as fruit jiuce

Now that’s good public and human relations, don’t you think?

La Nacion newspaper today mentions that the Vice President of PriceSmart Manrique Ugalde, did offer apologies for not having referred to this case publically , that “we are very worried about” the health of Doña Zaida del Carpio López.

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Written by Scott Oliver, author of 1: How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa, 2: Costa Rica Real Estate Scams & How To Avoid Them, 3. Costa Rica’s Guide To Making Money Offshore and 4. ¿Cómo Comprar Bienes Raices en Costa Rica, Sin Perder Su Camisa?

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.