This is a warning for any expats in Asunción who are doing a Google search for a business called ‘Pooh Rascadores’, who apparently make handmade cat scratching posts.
I moved to Paraguay recently and I ordered a cat scratching post for my cat from a woman named Micaela Agüero Ayala in Asunción who apparently owns the Pooh Rascadores business.
Micaela was friendly and helpful until I placed my order and sent payment (350,000 guaranies), and then her tone changed suddenly.
She would not give me updates on the product and when it will be delivered.
She also told me she was not able to make the exact product I ordered, but would also not give me a refund. She told me we did not have an agreement that she would make a post for me, despite receiving my full payment. When I sent her own messages to her showing evidence of the agreement we had, she accused me of “being defensive”. Then she said she would make it, but stopped responding to me and I lost contact with her.
She is no longer replying to my messages. It’s been weeks since I placed my order. She seems to be active and replying to other prospective clients but selectively ignoring my messages.
Beware anyone who is searching for a place in Asunción to get a cat scratching post.
Her full name is:
Micaela Victoria Agüero Ayala
Her business on Instagram is called Pooh Rascadores https://www.instagram.com/pooh_rascadores/
I want to prevent others from going through the same thing I did.
Update:
I finally received a response and a partial refund (within hours) but only after I sent this page to her.
Initially, Micaela gave me a partial refund (40% of what I paid) and said she is going to sue me for defamation, perhaps hoping that I would get scared and give up. Unfortunately for her, she seems not to understand the definition of what this crime is. I have the WhatsApp messages that prove everything I said is objectively true.
I threatened to publish the screenshots on this page of our messages, showing evidence of our agreement and everything else, and only then did she send me a full refund.
Buyer beware!
She told me today that the reason for her delay in replying was that she was in hospital during this period, but what she didn’t know is that I messaged her before this, pretending to be a new client to check that she was indeed alive and well. She responded, selling her wares, which shows she was well enough to respond and selectively ignoring me.
If I had not had a place to publish this warning and send it to her, I would not have received my refund.
This is not how a legitimate business behaves.
I sent her several warnings over time that I would do it. I checked that she was alive and online to give her the benefit of the doubt (she was). She only did the right thing when faced with consequences. Do not place any orders with this person since she requires the money upfront to make the posts.
Based on the evidence I have seen, it appears she may not engage in this behaviour with all customers, but potentially only with those who pay in advance. Therefore I urge anyone who is thinking of doing business with this person not to send her any money in advance.