A Gold Star for SINTER

I previously was impressed by them because they actually seem to want to help the customer and know what they are talking about. But, yesterday, I was more impressed.

I went there to pick up an item that they had ordered for me (and actually did it because I said I wanted it--not because I filled out paperwork, pre-paid or anything). While I was adding a few additional items, they get a phone call. I was more or less ignoring it but when she got off the phone she said "some people get really mad when I tell them I will not create fake invoices with higher prices for their customer and then give them the difference".

The practice of doing this—someone wants to "make sure" they are not being cheated by their builder or whoever buys the materials themselves but the vendor knows who they are and gets them "Gringo prices"—does happen. I can't offer a list of where it happens but I do know it happens. So, it is nice to add SINTER to my list of places where I feel confident that it does not happen.

One other place I am happy with in Estelí is Ferreteria La Popular, also know as "the blue box north of Petronic El Carmen". The owner actually understands how to run a successful business. He continues to expand what he has to meet general construction needs. That now includes sand and rock. But, he also understands what a good customer is and offers them a discount. Not price gouging for others—just a little better for "the regulars".