A documentary like that would have made the people in-charge to look into this wreckleness.
But as it is in naija, the authority will not do anything until it personally affects them.

asamwababy:
This is heart breaking.

This is where investigative journalism comes in and main reason why our media houses lack content.

This is an interesting piece where a journalist goes under cover and shoots a documetary on this issue.

Can imagine a documentary aired on Tv and Newspapers and captioned Lagos port where Customs lack control and Carlessness of shipping Lines which leads to the intentional destruction of imported vehicles in good condition at the Lagos port.

Lexusgs430:



Imagine the owner going to claim his very clean Lexus and meet with this sight....... The owner would become extremely tachy.......


Best to insure each vehicle and if vehicle is of considerable value, put in a container........

I was about saying the bolded while scrolling! !!

DelTel:


Insurance doesn't cover damage like this.
Only vessel wreck leading to total loss of the vehicle is covered. Premium paid is $1 if am correct.

It does,.The insurance company would have to pay you and they will collect their money from the shipping line!

DelTel:


Fantastic.
Meanwhile cameras are not allowed at all in the port environs.
Like you said, investigative journalism.

Phones?

sheffyUTD:


@ bolded, once the claims department are notified, they will inspect and you can take delivery after, the vehicle does not have to stay forever, just a day or two.

The key is to let your agent know the condition of the vehicle before arrival, so as to know what to look for before the vehicle is exited from terminal, the moment it's out, nothing, I repeat, nothing can be done.

It's not as easy as highlighted above. Let me share 2 of my encounters and how I was able to get my claim. You need hard evidence before you can get your claim from the shipping company. I had video of how my RX came down from the Vessel and pictures before it was been transferred to Mile 2 terminal. To my Agent's surprise, front grille and smart key were missing by the time he was done with TDO.
Claim department was notified,they inspected n promised to investigate(their usual story) no news after 2weeks. My Lawyer wrote them a letter with pictures of the Vehicle in Port with the front grille intact.
How did front grille later got missing?
How was the Vehicle transferred to Mile 2 terminal without Key?
After following up with the Video evidence, I got my refund. They have their reason for not allowing pictures at the terminal because you can use it against them for Claim.

The 2nd one was a Lexus too. The evidence I provided pointed accusing finger on either the driver that transferred the Vehicle to another terminal or the securities at the terminal that day. There is always a brown paper where they write condition of the Vehicle and parts when offloading from the Vessel. Paper showed Smart Key came with the Vehicle and it was driven to another terminal. IAAI Sticker showed Key came with the Vehicle. How did Key got missing In-Transit? The securities contributed among themselves and paid me. No time for nonsense

DelTel:


Thanks for this, I will try it out when next it happens.

You praying for it to happen?

Thank you calculusx,
I think this is the best thing to do.

calculusx:


It's not as easy as highlighted above. Let me share 2 of my encounters and how I was able to get my claim. You need hard evidence before you can get your claim from the shipping company. I had video of how my RX came down from the Vessel and pictures before it was been transferred to Mile 2 terminal. To my Agent's surprise, front grille and smart key were missing by the time he was done with TDO.
Claim department was notified,they inspected n promised to investigate(their usual story) no news after 2weeks. My Lawyer wrote them a letter with pictures of the Vehicle in Port with the front grille intact.
How did front grille later got missing?
How was the Vehicle transferred to Mile 2 terminal without Key?
After following up with the Video evidence, I got my refund. They have their reason for not allowing pictures at the terminal because you can use it against them for Claim.

The 2nd one was a Lexus too. The evidence I provided pointed accusing finger on either the driver that transferred the Vehicle to another terminal or the securities at the terminal that day. There is always a brown paper where they write condition of the Vehicle and parts when offloading from the Vessel. Paper showed Smart Key came with the Vehicle and it was driven to another terminal. IAAI Sticker showed Key came with the Vehicle. How did Key got missing In-Transit? The securities contributed among themselves and paid me. No time for nonsense

Possibly, your experience may say otherwise. That is the procedure and I have got two claims with that.

sheffyUTD:


Possibly, your experience may say otherwise. That is the procedure and I have got two claims with that.

Some of those thieves ain't smart at all. I'm way smarter than them. All Cars with keys from USA comes with an iron or a clip tied around the steering (pix attached) with the Key. They only steal the keys leaving the iron tied around the steering. It's a clear indication the Vehicle came with a Key but got stolen or detached. With this evidence,you can file for Claim

This is disheartening: Nigerian Customs/shipping companies should be checked and balanced by compelling the immediate refund of shipping and clearing charges of mishandled, tampered or looted consignment for a start. And port security department refunds the cost of damaged property. Things will change if people are held accountable.

Send mail containing threats and pictures to prove damage at their port, attach invoice and threaten to escalate to social media platforms... That should get their attention.
Cc: Chukel

jceesquare:

You praying for it to happen?

I am not praying.
However it will be foolhardy of any vehicle importer to think it will stop just cos we discussing it here .
I Know what I have seen and I can tell you they are getting bolder. Deliberate destruction getting worse and so far I haven't read about compensation except in cases of theft.
Better to be prepared than wishful thinking.
This is Nigeria.
Even after Falz sang and the song global, has anything changed

Abimby:
Hello house,
Has anyone noticed the recent trend in Lagos port where they bashed your cars anyhow and steal the keys.
I sent some cars and I was heartbroken when they cleared them. I bought these cars myself without dents, only to get to Lagos with several dents. The attached Toyota Camry is worst hit.
Does anyone know any channel to complain
They came in via Grimaldi

unfortunately you have taken delivery of this car. Call 070044446666. That's grimaldi customer care. They mess people's cars up and steal keys.

DelTel:
That's what we face all the time.
I won't want to bore you with pictures.
It has really been worse, from batteries to name it.
The shipping lines especially Grimaldi lines up about 10cars and push them out of the vessel.
They are heartless, and of cos Nigerians.
I had once insisted they fish out the missing parts, sent email and spoke to their port manager or so.
However, they will tell you they are investigating and the vehicle will be incurring demurrage.

Ask Calculusx how many Lexus remote keys he has had to replace.

I just replaced one yesterday. They are investigating. The other one they stole, they paid. And they will pay for this one. I have them by the balls. Those thieves no de use eye see Lexus remote.

Abimby:
I sent you an email

I have replied.

chukel:
I just replaced one yesterday. They are investigating. The other one they stole, they paid. And they will pay for this one. I have them by the balls. Those thieves no de use eye see Lexus remote

I have been asked to submit my invoice for payment. I have done that

Abimby:
So it's just an effort in futility trying address this.

no, it's not. Reach me, let me tell you how to go about it. Not that difficult

chukel:
I just replaced one yesterday. They are investigating. The other one they stole, they paid. And they will pay for this one. I have them by the balls. Those thieves no de use eye see Lexus remote

The last ES 350 I imported, they stole the remote and left the Key for me to gain access into the Car. 6 out of 10 Lexus Remote are Stolen

I hope this doesn't happen to me !
Brought in a car few months ago, another arriving soon, am so concerned at this.

But how does the port authority curb these thefts, and bring confidence to importers of goods.

I had thought these atrocities stopped awhile ago.

What actions can be taken to stop this, who can be pressurised to make changes at the ports.

These guys doing these ain't ghosts.

epistleNow:
I hope this doesn't happen to me !
Brought in a car few months ago, another arriving soon, am so concerned at this.

But how does the port authority curb these thefts, and bring confidence to importers of goods.

I had thought these atrocities stopped awhile ago.

What actions can be taken to stop this, who can be pressurised to make changes at the ports.

These guys doing these ain't ghosts.

Part of the reason why theft at the Port won't stop anytime soon is because the drivers are not well paid(contract staff). They pay them peanuts and depending on the number of Cars they offload from the Vessel. So, In the bid to deliver more cars they drive them anyhow.
Although, this doesn't justify the reason why they have to steal parts and keys. Even if they pay them millions of Naira, they still have to steal. It's in their blood

Been on going for a very long time! The S.O.P for people importing cars at the moment,is to keep fasting and praying In order for their cars to come out in good condition. Naija which way??

epistleNow:
I hope this doesn't happen to me !
Brought in a car few months ago, another arriving soon, am so concerned at this.

But how does the port authority curb these thefts, and bring confidence to importers of goods.

I had thought these atrocities stopped awhile ago.

What actions can be taken to stop this, who can be pressurised to make changes at the ports.

These guys doing these ain't ghosts.

calculusx:


Some of those thieves ain't smart at all. I'm way smarter than them. All Cars with keys from USA comes with an iron or a clip tied around the steering (pix attached) with the Key. They only steal the keys leaving the iron tied around the steering. It's a clear indication the Vehicle came with a Key but got stolen or detached. With this evidence,you can file for Claim

Correct!

I sent you an email

chukel:
no, it's not. Reach me, let me tell you how to go about it. Not that difficult

Readonee35L:
This one is very fair.
I've experienced worse.
Most times they use this cars to push one another inside the port bumper to bumper style like those Danfo you see on the road.

Someone i know got his vehicles damaged in Five Star.

016 es350 and 016 lx570
The lx570 had dents everywhere. Imagine a vehicle of such value and price
The es was Totaled and wrecked in the port

Ah, this is heartbreaking.

Abimby:
I sent you an email

replied

Damn this is serious.

calculusx:
What happened to the Side Mirror and rear bumper?

What happened to the Side Mirror,Driver Door, Front & Rear Bumper?

I believe the shipping companies can nip this in the bud if they are truly committed to it considering the numerous complaints & claims from importers.

I still wonder why foreign companies have different modus operandi in Nigeria. Just one complaint from a customer in their home country is enough to elicit investigations with the aim of arresting the culprits & of course end it but unfortunately, the same system can’t be implemented in Nigeria.

Also, if the shipping lines force the drivers to pay these claims or distribute the among them or suspend those who work on specific days during which items were missing, this nonsense will stop.

But sincerely, morals & values have since eluded this country as people can do whatever gives them money regardless of amount of money involved.

Sad.

calculusx:


What happened to the Side Mirror,Driver Door, Front & Rear Bumper?

Rear bumper - stolen to order
Side mirror - Attempted theft to order
Drivers door - vandalism........

bravolad:
I believe the shipping companies can nip this in the bud if they are truly committed to it considering the numerous complaints & claims from importers.

I still wonder why foreign companies have different modus operandi in Nigeria. Just one complaint from a customer in their home country is enough to elicit investigations with the aim of arresting the culprits & of course end it but unfortunately, the same system can’t be implemented in Nigeria.

Also, if the shipping lines force the drivers to pay these claims or distribute the among them or suspend those who work on specific days during which items were missing, this nonsense will stop.

But sincerely, morals & values have since eluded this country as people can do whatever gives them money regardless of amount of money involved.

Sad.

When a man cannot tidy his home,is it an outsider that will do that for him.

Can we conduct a poll to know which shipping line is most notorious for this vandalism?

timifakay:
Can we conduct a poll to know which shipping line is most notorious for this vandalism?

Rather than open a poll, I think making a representation to relevant authorities by stake holders, is a more important position.......

erico2k2:

It does,.The insurance company would have to pay you and they will collect their money from the shipping line!

^^^
I had a case years ago. The insurance company paid up but the claim paid was far (and I mean far) less than the cost of repairing the vandalized vehicle.

This nonsense at the ports is classic government failure. Consumers/Importers are being tossed around (like footballs) between shipping lines and insurance companies - and forced eventually to cover the cost of theft, vandalism and destructiveness by wharf rats, drivers and so called port security.

The shipping lines and insurance companies are private economic agents. They will cheat consumers/importers if they believe they can get away with it - that's the plain truth. They are emboldened when the government - the government that's supposed to keep them in check - actively aids and abets them in defrauding consumers.

Sensible laws (and honest governments ready to enforce them) are the only thing that protects people from companies. And if it is the government that is responsible for lax security at the ports - security breaches that cost people time and money to fix - then people should know what to do.

We are not helpless. There are remedies for useless governments. We have just been too lazy and stupid to apply them.

I think the best way is to bombard consumer protection council (cpc) with petitions on this. Their activities can be suspended pending final resolution of issues like this. They make a hell lot of money here. They wouldn't want that suspension. We can also start mass action by way of petition to their parent body. They respond very fast.