Online Shopping – 6 Problems Of Online Shopping In Nigeria
Online Shopping – 6 Problems Of Online Shopping In Nigeria
Throughout the day, countries like Nigeria are embracing technological advancements in different aspects of life. Being a developing nation, Nigeria faces obstacles that hinder it from fully benefiting from these advancements.
One growing trend in the marketing industry we will discuss is online shopping, where goods and services are purchased through various online platforms. The eCommerce online shopping platform can be said to be contributing greatly to the Nigerian economy and is on the rise as being one of the most convenient shopping processes for people.
Although online shopping is a very convenient process, it still comes with many dissatisfying issues and raises course for alarm. People no longer fully trust online shopping platforms to shop anymore. Online shopping now comes with the hashtag, “Na person way wan get, what I ordered vs what I got, de buy online.” The hashtag has been imprinted into the minds of many Nigerians as a trend.
What are the possible problems of online shopping? That is what we will look into in this article. We will look into some of the main issues of online shopping.
Problems of Online Shopping
These are some of the stipulated problems regarding online shopping that you should know. They include the following:
- Scam
- What I Ordered vs What I Got
- Delivery
- Method Of Payment
- High Cost Of Shipping
- Customer Location
Let’s get started.
1. Scam
Many cases have been of individuals losing their money to fraudulent sellers when purchasing items online. Due to the lack of proper verification measures for Nigerian online businesses, scammers can operate successfully.
They are only stopped after scamming numerous people, and their websites or pages are reported in large numbers. Many Nigerians hesitate to shop online due to the difficulty distinguishing between real and fake vendors.
2. What I Ordered vs What I Got
Today in Nigeria, certain online sellers are turning off potential buyers by being deceitful about the products they are offering for sale. For example, some online clothing sellers in Nigeria will use a different material than what they are selling to attract buyers.
These buyers will order based on the high-quality sample material shown online, only to receive a different, low-quality product upon delivery. This deceptive tactic leaves buyers with no choice but to accept the inferior product when payment has already been made, and there is no reliable refund policy.
Similarly, some sellers will pass off fake or low-quality products as original, especially when the buyer cannot tell the difference. These dishonest practices are causing many Nigerians to avoid shopping online.
3. Delivery
Logistics or delivery services are essential for completing online purchases in Nigeria. Factors such as poor transportation infrastructure and inadequate delivery services can cause delays in receiving ordered goods.
Some online vendors may struggle to meet the demands of their orders, especially if they are located far from the city. Unfortunately, some delivery items have been stolen or misplaced, leaving buyers frustrated and unable to use their purchases for important events. This is why physical shopping remains popular in Nigeria.
4. Method Of Payment
Most countries have convenient online payment gateways for customers and stores, not just for online stores but also for various websites like gaming sites. Customers can pay online without needing cash; stores receive payment directly into their e-wallets. However, online stores face challenges in Nigeria as users prefer cash on delivery. The Nigerian e-commerce industry needs to embrace online payment methods to grow further.
5. High Cost Of Shipping
Shipping costs have become a significant issue in Nigeria due to challenges such as the declining value of the currency and varying shipping company rates. The uncertain duration of shipping to Nigeria complicates the process further.
6. Customer Location
One of the problems of online shopping in Nigeria is customers’ location. One can’t help but be confused with how houses and streets are numbered. Many delivery personnel often drive for hours in search of certain locations that are very confusing. They end up wasting fuel and energy and yet not delivering the goods.
Conclusion
You may have tried shopping online and not been satisfied with your result. This is a challenge for online shopping.
There are many challenges with online shopping in Nigeria, including inadequate data security for customer information, the presence of fraudulent sellers, the need for trust and loyalty from vendors, and inefficient customer service. These obstacles make it challenging for individuals to transition to online shopping, requiring patience and resilience.
Having been through this article, we hope it has been helpful and productive. Till Next Time