OnlineShopping In Nigeria: My Experience With Jiji.ng, an Online Platform That Connects Buyers and Sellers

A lot of platforms have made shopping seamless by creating an online marketplace. My eyes opened to online shopping after I finsihed my secondary school. Although it wasn't exactly hassle-free when I first started doing it during COVID, it was the only choice we had and it served its purpose.

There are various reasons why people shop online, and even though COVID made these reasons more prominent, it's still challenging for individuals to cease doing so, even though they now have access to storefronts, unlike during COVID. Online buying has a few advantages, including the appearance of accessibility, choice, and time.

Additionally, there is the "time" aspect. People prefer it when they can exhibit their capacity of choice and give their money more meaning. There is a rush to make prompt and decisive selections when you visit real shops or markets compared to when you do it online, you've more time to make decisive selections.

People are always very careful when it comes to spending money, especially the ones they earned with sweat (salary or wages), they ensure that took enough time before buying anything.

Furthermore, the impression that one can take their time making a decision is reinforced by the fact that the specific goods they intend to purchase will always be available for viewing online. In addition, "price comparison" is something.

By comparing the cost of the same item from different vendors or online store/market, it is feasible to construct a minimal price appraisal.

No matter what you're attempting to avoid, like time or price comparison, online shopping is still more expensive, especially in Nigeria. It is challenging to ascertain a product's proper pricing and authenticity without going to a physical store.

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My Personal Experience

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80% of the reviews on the official websites of Nigeria's leading online shopping platform are bad. This is the outcome of an unhappy customer dealing with the dreadful clutter, management, repetition, and redundant work in customer service.

I've been doing my shopping on jiji.ng, an online marketplace that brings buyers and sellers together. You get to have a conversation with different vendors or retailers. You do a search for the items you desire, their price, and their name, along with any relevant specifications or terms will be stated on the advert.

_{Screenshot Of The Vendor Page On jiji.ng}

I login to the site and search for an LG 55-inch LED TV because I couldn't find the original LG and somone told me to check the platform, since jiji.ng has different features, one of which you get to select the vendor you want to buy from, discuss price and even negotiate if possible. This product is available from online sellers in various areas of Lagos. It was less expensive and more accessible, and you could check with the provider before paying.

_{Screenshot Of The Vendor's Page On jiji.ng}

Vendors differ; some want payment before delivering the goods, some ask you to pick them up in person, and some take money upon delivery.

However, this particular vendor requires payment before delivery. I had the concern that paying before to delivery online would be a 50/50 proposition, the item might be faulty, or the vendor might be a swindler, but I had previously purchased appliances and gadgets from the same platform, and they were exactly fine.

I placed the order nevertheless, and much to my surprise, it arrived seriously damaged.

As soon as I unwrapped it, the screen was seriously broken. I was unaware that the return policy was defective, cumbersome, favored the vendor over the client, and even if one was going to get their money back, the process was always very slow.

However, relying on my past experiences, I assumed I would receive a quality product as usual, but instead I was deeply disappointed, wrecked, and shattered.

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The Summary From The Whole Experience

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I return the item at an expense of both time and money, I had to pay a driver that will carry it back to their main store, which cost money and I had to go with the driver so I can get my money back.

While the experience has been bad, I hold jiji.ng accountable for failing to implement policies that will filter out irresponsible vendors and encourage more direct, face-to-face meetup in an effort to improve the return policy. I won't be buying electronics or even anything else that needs authentication online after this.

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Take-Home Words

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When it comes to shopping or buying things, we occasionally try to achieve efficiency and ease bu simply ignoring the physical store and using the online service, but at the end, we end up causing ourselves the same stress and unnecessary expense.

Have you ever used a platform that links vendors and consumers to shop online or purchase goods? Tell us about your experience.