₦airaland Forum

As a Nigerian importer operating in markets like Idumota or Aspanda, Ladipo importing from places like China or Dubai can be a great way to grow your business. However, small errors can lead to significant losses. Based on insights from social media posts on X (formerly Twitter) and forums like Nairaland, shared by importers in Ladipo, Balogun, and similar areas, I’ve compiled this list. These issues are common from dealing with touts to customs problems, or counterfeit goods. I’ll break it down simply, so you can avoid them and build a stronger operation.

1. Buying Without Proper Testing. Untested Goods Can Be a Trap
When you arrive at Ladipo or Aspanda to purchase items like TVs, fridges, or phones directly from containers, sellers might claim they’re cheap and original. But they often don’t work! Importers report that touts direct you to “non-tested” sections, charge for testing (N500-N2000), add accessories like remotes (another N5k), and then the item fails, requiring costly repairs. Always test everything before buying. For phones from China, plug them in, charge them, and check features like the camera. It’s not about luck — up to 80% of untested items fail. Protect your investment!

2. Overpricing Products. No Justification for Excessive Markups
On X, users complain about blenders costing $89 (about N140k) in US supermarkets being sold for N945k in VI or Idumota! Or shoes bought for N3k for 8 pairs in China resold at N30k+ locally. New importers often add an unjustified “Lagos tax,” thinking it’s pure profit, but it drives away repeat customers. Forum discussions highlight that beginners skip proper price research, leading to lost sales. Calculate your costs (shipping, duties, and margins) accurately and add a reasonable profit. Fair pricing builds loyalty.

3. Falling for Touts and Middlemen. They Can Set You Up
Entering the market, touts surround you and steer you to pre-arranged shops selling fake or substandard goods. If issues arise, they might intimidate or bully you. This is rampant in Balogun or Aspanda. Importers without connections lose out. Advice from social media: Build direct supplier relationships in China and avoid middlemen. For first-timers, bring an experienced contact who knows the market.

4. Improper Customs Declarations. Undervaluation Risks Seizure
Importing rice, clothing, or motorcycles from China, some undervalue items on Form M or invoices to reduce duties. Customs can seize your entire shipment — like the 8 trailers of rice worth billions intercepted at Lagos borders! Online stories warn that newbies mishandle HS codes or documents, resulting in fines or losses. Use a licensed clearing agent and declare accurately. It might cost more upfront, but it saves your goods in the long run.

5. Importing Without Confirmed Buyers . Avoid Stockpiling
Spotting a hot item on Alibaba, phones, clothes, or hair products, you fill a container, but upon arrival, there’s no demand! Posts advise against buying to store; secure orders first, collect deposits, and even get credit from suppliers. In Aspanda, many end up with expired or seized items like hair oil. A key error: Skipping market research. Survey potential customers first, start small (e.g., 10 bales), and test the market.

6. Neglecting Shop or Online Presentation. Don’t Appear Unprofessional
A dirty shop in Idumota with no signage or an outdated Facebook page turns customers away to better-presented competitors. Vendors pleading for sales online come across as desperate, reducing trust. Forums call this a top mistake for newcomers. Invest in a clean setup, quality photos, and policies like returns. Use tools like WhatsApp Business and share customer testimonials to build credibility.

7. Not Monitoring Staff or Partners . They Might Skim Profits
Leaving your shop to an attendant who sells items and replaces them with fakes from Balogun, pocketing the difference. Or partners adding N1k-N2k extra per sale behind your back. Social media is full of such tales, even in food imports. Solutions: Install CCTV, conduct daily stock checks, and use technology to track your stock and verify transactions. Trust is key, but so is oversight.

8. Selling Counterfeit Goods. It Damages Your Reputation
Importing used clothes or second-hand cars and mixing in fakes. Customers get short-lived products and spread negative word-of-mouth. From Ladipo to Idumota to Aspanda, etc, this breeds distrust. Warnings online: Vet supplier reviews and avoid suspiciously cheap deals. Prioritize quality, even with slimmer margins — a good reputation will attract more business over time.

These mistakes aren’t new; they’re drawn from real experiences shared by Nigerian importers. To steer clear: Start small, learn from established players, and join importer groups for support. Smart strategies lead to success. If you have tips to add, please share them!

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Major News Alert!

The Venture in Management Program (ViMP) 2019 application is now open for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who meet our terms and conditions.

Designed as a one-week intensive mini-MBA session, ViMP introduces 50 selected members of the National Youth Service Corps to the different facets of managing a business, making crucial business decisions and developing skills for management.

The week-long program led by facilitators from the Lagos Business School, includes stimulating classroom sessions, case studies, panel discussions, networking, study groups, guest speakers and recreation, culminating in a strategy workshop, during which the participants will present solutions to real world case studies.

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NwaAmaikpe:



This is pitiful and utmostly ridiculous.
How will a great bank like First Bank want to reduce themselves to a regional bank?

I hope this ill-thought decision to use dialetic slangs popular amongst touts in their ads doesn't bring down the already emaciating Elephant.

HeWrites:
According to the story shared on Facebook, a man who refused to do court and white wedding with his baby mama is now begging to wed her in court after she got an opportunity to relocate abroad with her family. The story is quite interesting.

Read below;
“I got pregnant nine years ago while dating my current husband and then the issue of marriage came up. I wasn’t working then. He told my family and I that he doesn’t want a court marriage for no reason. My parents tried talking to him, I cried and begged him severally to legalize his marriage with me but he stood his grounds not to wed me in a court.

I involved his family members to help me beg him but they said, he’s old enough to make his decisions. He even refused to do a white wedding either because my church requested for a court certificate, so we ended up doing only traditional marriage.

I later got tired and gave up on the matter. I was hurt and broken but I resolved to marry him like that just to save myself and my family the shame of having a baby outside wedlock. My dad was angry and disappointed in him but he didn’t care and because of that my dad vowed to see me a successful and independent woman with or without him.

After I gave birth to my baby, my dad helped me secure a job with a multinational company and things started to turn around for me. I could now take care of myself and secure a future.

Though I married my husband but I never forgave him from my heart and it made me not to do anything in my husband’s name.

We currently have three kids together but all my properties are in the name of my children. I never used him as my next of kin either.

Just last month my company decided to transfer me to a branch in Texas and the company is willing to pay for my entire family to relocate with me. My husband’s business is not doing too well and he’s willing to relocate also but we have no legal certificate to show that we are married.

Now he wants us to go to the court to legalize our marriage and I have said “No” My dad has threatened to disown me if I ever go with him to court.

He’s been tagging me everywhere as a bad wife who is not loyal to her husband, spoiling my family also. His family members have been calling me trying to persuade me but I told them I’m old enough to make my decisions also and I have stood my ground just like he did to me nine years ago.”

Culled from; https://www.torimill.com/2018/04/man-who-refused-to-marry-his-baby-mama-for-9-years-now-begging-to-wed-her-see-why.html

You are about to make the same mistake your husband made, better swallow your pride and make peace with your family (Husband). i just wonder what is wrong with this generation. What happened to FORGIVENESS

dafeyankee:
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To commemorate International Youth Day, Junior Achievement Nigeria is organizing a “Youth Entrepreneurship Essay Competition” in partnership with Access Bank

The Youth Entrepreneurship Essay Competition is open to young adults between the ages of 16 and 27. All interested parties are invited to submit a 500-word essay discussing
" How entrepreneurship can solve the youth unemployment crisis in Nigeria?”

How to apply:

Step 1: Visit our website, www.ja-nigeria.org
Step 2: Click on the International youth day icon “ click here to apply”
Step 3: Review the instructions, complete application and include your 500- word essay
Step 4: Click submit
Step 5: Make sure you receive a completion message in your email box; this will let you know if your submission was successful

Please note that essay submissions will close on the 24th of August 2017 at 5:00pm. The winners will receive cash prizes ranging from 100,000 naira to 50,000 naira, a chance to publish their articles in a Nigerian daily newspaper and the opportunity to represent Junior Achievement Nigeria at a youth entrepreneurship forum.

Vutseck:
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I see what you did here

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NWANE. MORE LLNP

African stories

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I guess by 2030 our politicians will start drinking the crude oil as there will be nothing left to loo and no good infrastructure on ground. The future of Nigeria scares me.

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What! Apostle will hear of this

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