So after reading mixed reviews about Wakanow.com, I decided to do my DD (that's what I thought I did) before buying a ticket from them..

As BA now does hand luggage only, I wanted to be 100percent sure before payment. After 2 Wakanow Abuja staff confirmed to me that my booking was for the 2pieces of 23kg baggage allowance ticket, I was still reluctant even though from research I knew the hand baggage only ticket would be about 200k (and this was 360sth). So I called Lagos and was reassured.

I have my conversations with G... of Wakanow Gana Street Maitama. The allowance was further confirmed by C.... of Wakanow Gana Street, Maitama and K..... of Wakanow Lagos. Infact G..... who wanted the sales points for the booking and who was the first person i called was getting offended that I couldn't count on her word and it was definitely 2x23kg and she was looking at it on the system.

Anyway, after the assurances from wakanow, i transferred 360555 to them and got a 0 allowance ticket to and fro.

I called back and the ladies claimed they did not understand what happened and they will sort it out. Eventually they got back to say it couldn't be remedied and started suggesting alternative dates. I said I wanted an immediate refund...it took me 3mins to transfer...why are they wasting my time and providing no reasonable feedback.

I have been requesting a refund so i can buy another ticket before the fare increases. They mentioned it will be done and they are working on it. I work weekends when I have to, why can't I be refunded within 24hours? Particularly when the circumstances are due to your negligence and (fraudulent) misrepresentation. They have now switched off their phones.

This is how we have class actions.

There are no class actions in Nigeria. Everyone either wants to "leave everything to God" or mind their business, not knowing they're shortchanging themselves in the process.

Wakanow has zero customer support. Either buy your ticket directly from the airline website or use Expedia or Travelstart. Forget Wakanow. They services are horrible. They are only interested in collecting your money. I have had terrible experience with them and vowed never to even browse their website

I know right! Not completely nonexistent though. Mtn and etisalat have had a few (low-level ones) and had to cough out some millions. A very senior colleague was even on etisalat's team.

thesicilian:
There are no class actions in Nigeria. Everyone either wants to "leave everything to God" or mind their business, not knowing they're shortchanging themselves in the process.

Tell me about it! The way this life is set up though. People will read this post, your comment and other posts spewing this truth and still try their luck. I should've learnt from the experience of others but I didn't. Look at me now (in Chris Brown's voice)

halfcurrent:
Wakanow has zero customer support. Either buy your ticket directly from the airline website or use Expedia or Travelstart. Forget Wakanow. They services are horrible. They are only interested in collecting your money. I have had terrible experience with them and vowed never to even browse their website

I use Jumia. I've never really liked Waka now. Buying from airline website is usually expensive. I hope they refund you asap

halfcurrent:
Wakanow has zero customer support. Either buy your ticket directly from the airline website or use Expedia or Travelstart. Forget Wakanow. They services are horrible. They are only interested in collecting your money. I have had terrible experience with them and vowed never to even browse their website

I have heard several negative reviews about them also, don't think I'll ever find myself employing their services. I prefer dealing directly with the original airline websites.

ccurrie:
Tell me about it! The way this life is set up though. People will read this post, your comment and other posts spewing this truth and still try their luck. I should've learnt from the experience of others but I didn't. Look at me now (in Chris Brown's voice)

Lol. The black man always thinks himself smarter than the one before him.

Lol. Not necessarily smarter. The reviews are mixed. Some people swore by them (probably staff) so i thought..be cautious. After all the caution see me!

thesicilian:

Lol. The black man always thinks himself smarter than the one before him.

Me too o. I'll stick to direct from the airline.

thesicilian:

I have heard several negative reviews about them also, don't think I'll ever find myself employing their services. I prefer dealing directly with the original airline websites.

They said Monday. I'm waiting to update y'all. Jumia though? Hmmm... Do you work for or with Jumia?

flourishing247:
I use Jumia. I've never really liked Waka now. Buying from airline website is usually expensive. I hope they refund you asap

I try very hard.... but just can't figure out why people have direct access to a service.... but prefer to pay extra and take chances with questionable third parties. Same with visa... prefer going to "agents" than going to the consulate. Hope Op posted a negative review on their website....and should name names.

I have never bought and will never buy a ticket through any of these third-party resellers. Never.

In Nigeria.

This is not to say that resellers are not genuine, in Nigeria or elsewhere. And yes, they usually have discounts on the prices on the airlines' websites. It's simply because in our country, if anything goes wrong, you will have to bear the fallout from that yourself. Sometimes the energy expended in chasing people for a refund or having to get a lawyer to follow up does not compare at all to any monies theoretically "saved" through a discount.

Always go directly to the airline's website and buy your ticket or use a travel agent/reseller located in a jurisdiction where you can actually get some action if things go wrong.

halfcurrent:
Wakanow has zero customer support. Either buy your ticket directly from the airline website or use Expedia or Travelstart. Forget Wakanow. They services are horrible. They are only interested in collecting your money. I have had terrible experience with them and vowed never to even browse their website

Why do we like condemning our indigenous companies? later we'll say there's no job. So he should support a South African company instead? Wakanow customer care are good, I have been refunded some money before

OP, I advice you to speak with their superior, the customer care can't do much about it unless you request to speak with a manager.

ccurrie:
They said Monday. I'm waiting to update y'all. Jumia though? Hmmm... Do you work for or with Jumia?

I understand your plight, but if they said Monday, what's the reason for opening this thread on a Sunday?

ccurrie:
They said Monday. I'm waiting to update y'all. Jumia though? Hmmm... Do you work for or with Jumia?

I don't work for them. I used them last year, all I did was contact the airline direct as soon as I saw my ticket. It was good to go.

Mizwisdom:



Why do we like condemning our indigenous companies? later we'll say there's no job. So he should support a South African company instead? Wakanow customer care are good, I have been refunded some money before

OP, I advice you to speak with their superior, the customer care can't do much about it unless you request to speak with a manager.

What is this one saying

Before wakanow, people don't work

So they are indigenous we should condole them their wrong doings, so other people can fall into same

Well said!

Cyberknight:
I have never bought and will never buy a ticket through any of these third-party resellers. Never.

In Nigeria.

This is not to say that resellers are not genuine, in Nigeria or elsewhere. And yes, they usually have discounts on the prices on the airlines' websites. It's simply because in our country, if anything goes wrong, you will have to bear the fallout from that yourself. Sometimes the energy expended in chasing people for a refund or having to get a lawyer to follow up does not compare at all to any monies theoretically "saved" through a discount.

Always go directly to the airline's website and buy your ticket or use a travel agent/reseller located in a jurisdiction where you can actually get some action if things go wrong.

Wow! That's nice. Never imagined Jumia had such good reviews.

flourishing247:


I don't work for them. I used them last year, all I did was contact the airline direct as soon as I saw my ticket. It was good to go.

Mizwisdom, there is wisdom in looking before you leap. First, if you observe the timestamp, you will realise the Monday line came a while after the post.

Secondly, the refund is not the main issue, but the misrepresentation after the attempts at confirming and how their failure to refund or delay in making said refund can be costly vis-a-vis purchasing another ticket.

Also, the customer care...phones off...claims they are working on it; nothing useful to proceed on or with (at the time of the original post).

I also don't know your timezone or why you see it was posted on Sunday.

Lastly, you don't know me so you don't understand my plight but I will suggest you tell your wakanow friends/colleagues/ relatives to get their act together. They will be paying for the difference in the fare for my selected dates on BA site from the time I requested the refund until an hour after receipt of the said refund. Thank you.

Mizwisdom:


I understand your plight, but if they said Monday, what's the reason for opening this thread on a Sunday?

This is part of the problem...why they get away with anything. This is criticism... the company should work at preventing such so that the next time one person with a bad experience posts a review, other customers can say "which wakanow? this is unbelievable, contact 080...... and it will be sorted". Wow! MizWISDOM!

Mizwisdom:



Why do we like condemning our indigenous companies? later we'll say there's no job. So he should support a South African company instead? Wakanow customer care are good, I have been refunded some money before

OP, I advice you to speak with their superior, the customer care can't do much about it unless you request to speak with a manager.

Update!

I still have not received my money. I am getting "we are working on it. The Gift lady just said well it's out of her hands..her company will contact me whenever the money is ready". Can you imagine? This is day 3 and ticket prices are going up!!
Please anyone interested in joining me should send a private message. Gather your evidence I will represent all of us for free. I am pissed!

ccurrie:
So after reading mixed reviews about Wakanow.com, I decided to do my DD (that's what I thought I did) before buying a ticket from them..

As BA now does hand luggage only, I wanted to be 100percent sure before payment. After 2 Wakanow Abuja staff confirmed to me that my booking was for the 2pieces of 23kg baggage allowance ticket, I was still reluctant even though from research I knew the hand baggage only ticket would be about 200k (and this was 360sth). So I called Lagos and was reassured.

I have my conversations with G... of Wakanow Gana Street Maitama. The allowance was further confirmed by C.... of Wakanow Gana Street, Maitama and K..... of Wakanow Lagos. Infact G..... who wanted the sales points for the booking and who was the first person i called was getting offended that I couldn't count on her word and it was definitely 2x23kg and she was looking at it on the system.

Anyway, after the assurances from wakanow, i transferred 360555 to them and got a 0 allowance ticket to and fro.

I called back and the ladies claimed they did not understand what happened and they will sort it out. Eventually they got back to say it couldn't be remedied and started suggesting alternative dates. I said I wanted an immediate refund...it took me 3mins to transfer...why are they wasting my time and providing no reasonable feedback.

I have been requesting a refund so i can buy another ticket before the fare increases. They mentioned it will be done and they are working on it. I work weekends when I have to, why can't I be refunded within 24hours? Particularly when the circumstances are due to your negligence and (fraudulent) misrepresentation. They have now switched off their phones.

This is how we have class actions.

Names:
Gift - Maitama
Charity - Maitama
Kingsley - Lagos

Originalsly:
I try very hard.... but just can't figure out why people have direct access to a service.... but prefer to pay extra and take chances with questionable third parties. Same with visa... prefer going to "agents" than going to the consulate. Hope Op posted a negative review on their website....and should name names.

halfcurrent:
Wakanow has zero customer support. Either buy your ticket directly from the airline website or use Expedia or Travelstart. Forget Wakanow. They services are horrible. They are only interested in collecting your money. I have had terrible experience with them and vowed never to even browse their website

I tried airline website. The cost scared me. How do you get cheap tickets on airline website?

ccurrie:
Names:
Gift - Maitama
Charity - Maitama
Kingsley - Lagos

It's really a pity. Hopefully something will be done soon

LOL naija. That's how Airpeace collected my money for a to ad fro flight in and out of Lagos in Dec. Both flights were cancelled and it took almost 2 months to get a refund after numerous emails, calls and threats. The silly NCAA is just rubbish. Tried to lay a complaint, the website is rubbish and after sending them an email they didn't respond. The same thing with Consumer Protection Agency. Nigeria is a joke, people get away with all sorts of rubbish.
I used wakanow in 2016 and the service was top notch. Sorry about your experience, business sustainability is a problem in these parts.

If the agency have "settled" ie paid the airline, it will take atleast 21 days for the airline to refund. However, most BSP settlements are monthly or more so I'm sure your money is still with waka now.

Typically, in every organised entity, it will take two or more high level signatories to effect a refund. I'm not holding brief for waka now but the reality is that you might not get your refund this week. Also be mindful that you won't be getting back all you paid. . .

This is the reality. If the trip is a must do, I'd suggest u calm down, buy a fresh ticket while pursuing this refund.

...

ccurrie:
Oh no i am getting back all I paid. I have evidenceof confirmation from wakanow that my ticket was 2x23kg before i paid. The lady claimed it was right there in fron of her. I receive ticket and its a 0 baggage ticket. You know alot about them.
This is sweet. The company has paid 6000pounds for a training and for my super priority visa. This gets better. Thank you for this update. Juicy!

What's juicy about my post ?
Have you looked at resolution instead of outright refund? If you pay a token, you can have same ticket upgraded and get some baggage unless ofcourse its a super discounted ticket and nothing can be done .

I don't know, work, speak for waka now o.

Phone confirmation or conversation wouldnt hold water in court, unless you have an email from the staff that confirms your claim.

She's right on three counts - if its a super - discounted ticket, the airline isn't refunding nada and the travel agency then bears the liability and will be in no mood to cough up, two, most companies have byzantine procedures for processing refunds, especially contested ones, designed to delay, delay, delay, and three, with nothing in writing, things become harder and it might boil down to a cancellation, basically.

However, in my little experience with baggage-discounted tickets (buying from the airline), the airline clearly shows you the options at the time of booking (pay this fare for only 6kg of carry - on baggage, etc.), so it's hard to believe the travel agent (Wakanow) would not have had similar information on the screen at the time of booking your ticket that the discount in this case was a zero checked baggage affair.

Hehehe. Ive been in practice forever. It's my default to request for information and have people confirm stuff even when there's no suspicion. I will get my money and more. Sit back and watch this.

Wakanow is just strange. That information you are referring to isn't there o. So i confirmed as per now there is 0baggage even though I know 0 baggage is like 100 to 150k cheaper, I'm just confirming bla bla. The Gift lady sef they vex that with the price how can it be 0baggage, she has given her word plus why will she even lie. After she sent the mail to confirm details I didn't see allowance so I asked why is allowance not in your booking though..this is strange. She said that's how it is you can't view certain details until the eticket is actually generated...that as soon as eticket is generated I'll have full view. As I dunno how agencies work but finding it strange, I called their head office and they confirmed dates my name no dob n baggage allowance 2x23kg on the tickets combined in that PNR and I paid.. Just for wakanow to send the eticket and there it is! 0 to and 0 fro. The wakanow lady didnt understand herself -or so she claimed. Anyway, I thank God. All things work together for my good.

Cyberknight:
She's right on three counts - if its a super - discounted ticket, the airline isn't refunding nada and the travel agency then bears the liability and will be in no mood to cough up, two, most companies have byzantine procedures for processing refunds, especially contested ones, designed to delay, delay, delay, and three, with nothing in writing, things become harder and it might boil down to a cancellation, basically.

However, in my little experience with baggage-discounted tickets (buying from the airline), the airline clearly shows you the options at the time of booking (pay this fare for only 6kg of carry - on baggage, etc.), so it's hard to believe the travel agent (Wakanow) would not have had similar information on the screen at the time of booking your ticket that the discount in this case was a zero checked baggage affair.

Refunds for cancellation etc are different. And we wonder why people want to relocate. Nigerians endorse and condone BS. I have lived outside this place a whiile and when the customer is deliberately or otherwise misled by a company's staff and you report it, you will wonder whether you have shares in the company. Things will be fast tracked because refunds anticipated do not not include fraud, misrepresentation and so on. Further, because court actions could lead to class actions and company-crippling damages.

Thanks I'm calm and we are working on the originating processes. I believe their legal fees alone will be above the cost of the ticket. Many thanks

ifyalways:
If the agency have "settled" ie paid the airline, it will take atleast 21 days for the airline to refund. However, most BSP settlements are monthly or more so I'm sure your money is still with waka now.

Typically, in every organised entity, it will take two or more high level signatories to effect a refund. I'm not holding brief for waka now but the reality is that you might not get your refund this week. Also be mindful that you won't be getting back all you paid. . .

This is the reality. If the trip is a must do, I'd suggest u calm down, buy a fresh ticket while pursuing this refund.