digi101:

There are a lot of threads[b] touting[/b] the proposed cost savings and ease of getting a better deal by purchasing your car from coutonu. I've never done this before but with some many of these chaps bombarding the Nairaland boards am beginning to actually consider the option. Then coming back to my senses i thought what the heck lets hear from the horses mouth! If its been such a bargain we should have a ton of satisfied clients to give prospective "cautious" clients like myself there side of the story.
So if u've ever bought a car from coutonu and you would humbly give us your experienced opinion the floor is all yours

cinzo:

THE NATURE OF THE ROAD ON THE NIGERIAN SIDE THOUGH WAS WHAT PUT ME OFF BUYING A CAR FROM COTONOU. THAT ROAD DOES NOT PORTRAY NIGERIA IN A GOOD LIGHT AT ALL

femmy2010:

which of the road?
The road from Cotonou to Nigeria via IDIROKO is great and i can say same of Seme to Inside Lagos.

cinzo:


seme to lagos is a shame! did you not see the cotonou side of the road?

femmy2010:

Seme to Lagos is just like any other roads in Nigeria.
If one can drive in hinterland Lagos then one can drive from Seme to Lagos.

true talk but the thoughts of diving an ochara toks through that road gives me creeps

cinzo:

true talk but the thoughts of diving an ochara toks through that road gives me creeps

femmy2010:

The term touting in your post seems a big derogatory and shows some bias towards Cotonou auto dealers which frankly shouldn't be.
Buying a car from Cotonou is just like buying a car from The US,Europe or Canada.
You see what you want,pay for it and have duty paid at the point of entry into Nigeria and if your desire to save the funds that would be used for duty payment high then your dealer can help you smuggle it in(Buyer's choice).
You are only advised to deal with dealers that would keep to their promise and how best can you ascertain this?Go through their threads as this would go a long way at helping you reach a final buy verdict.

Akpojeweo:

I love this thread for the fact that all experiences from cotonou shall be viewed here. I have been to cotonou thrice to buy cars but with different experience. Of all the trips there were better deal and quality compared to Lagos. You are at the following risk, you can't come home with your car the same day, you leave your car in the hand of a total stranger for 2 to 3 days for it to arrive amidst anxiety and fear/stress. You cannot tell between original and fake duties papers from your dealer. All the three local various dealers that i have used had made me pay more than expected, comparing NLs quotes and to discover later that the duties paper were forged. In 2003 i bought a toyota car in cotonou for 1m cfa equivalent 220k but landed my state, Delta, for 400k. Lastly, if you must buy below govt. approved minimum years limit don't expect real duties paper.

femmy2010:

The term touting in your post seems a big derogatory and shows some bias towards Cotonou auto dealers which frankly shouldn't be.
Buying a car from Cotonou is just like buying a car from The US,Europe or Canada.
You see what you want,pay for it and have duty paid at the point of entry into Nigeria and if your desire to save the funds that would be used for duty payment high then your dealer can help you smuggle it in(Buyer's choice).
You are only advised to deal with dealers that would keep to their promise and how best can you ascertain this?Go through their threads as this would go a long way at helping you reach a final buy verdict.

texazzpete:

There is nothing wrong with the use of the word 'touting'

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/touting?r=75&src=ref&ch=dic
–verb (used with object)
3.
to solicit support for importunately.
4.
to describe or advertise boastfully; publicize or promote; praise extravagantly: a highly touted nightclub.

Strive to be sure of what a word means before you take someone up on it.


Sadly, even the OP doesn't seem to realize that 'touting' doesn't have to be a derogatory meaning, given his abject apology.

Signor Zax:

I bought my Honda Acccord (EOD) from Tin Can Port, Apapa, Nigeria for N1.85m that is with allduties paid in 2009.
In August, 2010 I went to AutoWharf in Apapa to buy a Nissan Almera or Primera (1999/2000 Model) with Power Windows, Factory A/C, Alloy Wheels and Automatic Transmission. I was told to pay between N1.0m and N1.2m. I was miffed and surprised at the cost and so I called an agent, not a NL'er anyway and he advised we cross over to Cotonou. I went across with the sum of N0.65m and got myself a clean 1999 Nissan Primera 2.0L SE with all the facilities I mentioned above. The car was a good buy anyday, anytime and anywhere. I Saved myself the sum of about N0.35m - N0.55m. The only snag in the whole thing was the anxiety I had to go through waitnig for the car for about 4 days. I collected the car thereafter the way I bought it at Cotonou, cleaned it up (checked for hoses and pipes leakages and serviced the engine and transmission systems) in Lagos and drove it myself all the way to Port Harcourt. Apart from the normal Police N200 on the road. Please, don't get it twisted, the N0.65 included the cost of the car, the duty paid at Cotonou and my agent's fee. I didn't have 1 problem with the car till date. This is a true life story of my humble self who is not a car dealer. Lest I forget, I am already planning to go back to Cotonou for my next car, this time a 4x4 SUV. So liven up and hit the road man.

texazzpete:

There is nothing wrong with the use of the word 'touting'

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/touting?r=75&src=ref&ch=dic
–verb (used with object)
3.
to solicit support for importunately.
4.
to describe or advertise boastfully; publicize or promote; praise extravagantly: a highly touted nightclub.

Strive to be sure of what a word means before you take someone up on it.



LOL, I too was laughing at this apology o! Funny people.

Sadly, even the OP doesn't seem to realize that 'touting' doesn't have to be a derogatory meaning, given his abject apology.

texazzpete:

There is nothing wrong with the use of the word 'touting'

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/touting?r=75&src=ref&ch=dic
–verb (used with object)
3.
to solicit support for importunately.
4.
to describe or advertise boastfully; publicize or promote; praise extravagantly: a highly touted nightclub.

Strive to be sure of what a word means before you take someone up on it.



Sadly, even the OP doesn't seem to realize that 'touting' doesn't have to be a derogatory meaning, given his abject apology.