Johnrake69:
This one is medicine after death. As far as there are no punitive measures in place to deal with those dubious miscreants in that market. My best advice is for a new person is to stay away.

Don't attempt to buy Electronics as a new person in the market. You're better off buying from Lawanson or any other market.

I lost #60k in that market. And I swore never to step into that market.

And this is not about tribe. The main guy that scammed me was Haruna then supported by my Igbo brothers. I see it as the culture of the market. The tales from first timers experience in that market has always been horrible. And don't try to blame it on the guys doing osoafia. They are in Idumota and Balogun too. In fact I use them alot. They earn commissions from the stores and each time I make use of any of them I still tip them because they save me alot of time especially when I'm looking for a particular design of wears.

Like I said earlier, fraud is the culture they have adopted in Alaba market as a virtue.

If you have never been to Alaba before to buy Electronics better stay away. You're 99.99% likely to be scammed. So why take that chance?

The same receipt has always been used. Divine Grace Investment. My friend has bought used electronics from Lawanson and got home it didn't work as expected and she returned it and collected her money in full no dragging. But in Alaba, the money you just paid now now, see me see you I haven't touched your electronics is none refundable. Anybody calling that a business is a criminal.

you have said it all my dear and that is end of discussion. yes am an Igbo man and alaba is close to me but I detest that market with passion. is idumota and balogun not market like alaba? why is fraud not in those market? the answer is this: the chairmen in alaba works in conjunction with those fraudsters!

Well their own way of hussling is to scam and carjole you which equals to defrauding you...it has become part of them and truth be told they will infect you if you are not careful...from importing and selling substandard goods all over Nigeria and beyond with their so called partner chinco people...we all know how they do it,they go there negotiate for them to reduce the quality of such goods and again thanks to our corrupt officials! Boom those goods are all over the market..they need to stop all this rubbish...I've had bitter experience with them both alaba market and Ladipo(Toyota) and mind you they operates in ring..they always support themselves...greedy bunch of ......Yet they keep on soiling the country image wherever they go with their stupid get rich or die trying mentality...bunch of P!G$

lekki1444:
Jiji is nice ooo. Because the people will come to your house or meet you in a safe place of your choice and you will not be in an hostile environment. I bought my Generator and Car navigation system from Jiji and No problems at all. they are working perfectly and have been for close to one year now. Just do not agree to meet someone in a private place.always meet up at the parking lot of shoprite etc. But you cant beat GAME and KONGA and JUMIA for 100 percent safety and guarantee

Alright but I prefer dealing with companies to private individuals just to avoid sob stories. Trading in open markets is not worth the risk esp when you're acquiring assets. Btw, I was a regular in Alaba when I was in school. I'd go there to buy CDs lol.

donproject:


Yo should know I'm a Yoruba man, hausas don't have time for talks like this, you misbehave they kill you en mass

You are just speaking out of deep sitted hate as if there are no criminal yoruba person abi hushpuppi na igbo or mompha na igbo abi boriski na igbo.

for this reason... i have story i will bring to nairaland when we are done with an ungrateful yoruba man who took 2M from my brother under the guise that he will pay back since 2017 and I will tag you..

my friend gtfoh... what are u feeling like?

Trade fair better then. You won't see these scammers there. And there is nothing u want to buy in Alaba you won't see in trade fair

I go to Alaba regularly, right from my student days. All I can say is that person wey go dupe me for Alaba go try! E self go see pepper!
But on a more serious note, do the following when buying at Alaba for the first time:
1. Go with someone who knows the territory
2. Determine what you want to buy before going (price, quality, specifications, etc). This can be done online
3. Avoid greed, in all its shades and hues
4. Buy from reputable shops, with a physical presence and a name to protect.
5. Check your receipt if it corresponds with the terms of your purchase
6. Test your product before leaving, make sure all components are complete and working
7. Check the brand name well. (There is SONY, and SONNY, and SUNNY. There is SAMSUNG and there is SAMSSUNG and SAMSONG!)
8. BEG GOD TO HELP YOU.

Ygrette:


Alright but I prefer dealing with companies to private individuals just to avoid sob stories. Trading in open markets is not worth the risk esp when you're acquiring assets.

You are very correct. Its the best policy.

donproject:


Heart of a normal man is pure and innate at birth. He comes to the world and start learning different things, behavioral pattern, how to speak, how to do basic things. His environment plays a role in what he becomes.

I said heart of a normal man , I didn't say heart of an Igbo, their hearts are pre-configured to dupe, extort, trick their unsuspecting victims at birth. It is this dirt that they carry all around and they start dispersing to different geographical location, mixing and mingling with the locals, corrupting them in the process.

This pattern can be likened to the plague the world is facing now, COVID-19, you know the story of where it started, it was not contained within the demographic space it was discovered, and boom! It becomes a pandemic. Igbos are like that virus corrupting other tribes wherever they go.

Stop quoting me kid, you can't have your way...

The same thing they are doing in Ghana and South Africa. Why not call a spade a spade trying to justify evil cos you think the victim is not wise enough is the reason why evil will keep increasing.

lekki1444:
una get mind sha. i avoid all markets. i get my electronics from jumia or konga or jiji or GAME

Or from the major dealers themselves...e.g. Fouani for LG products, SIMS for Samsung products and so on.

[s]

Onlinealaba:
I will start by quoting Edmund Burke where he stated “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Yesterday after a busy day at work I was just on my stroll on nairaland front-page when a particular topic caught my attention I carefully read all the comments and I think it's necessary to create this topic to correct notions identify many issues concerning the market and business related activities and set the record straight.

Alaba international market is a very big market(biggest electronics market in west-africa) even though we have the electrical section,industrial section, fancy and furniture section that is categorised , each of this section of the market have their union leader with a task force set up in over seeing the day to day activities of the Market. The electronics section is splitted into two the IMAE( You get most of the new electronics here and also tokunbo though not major) and is headed by the able leadership of Evangelist Paulinus Ugochukwu( MD sound prince company limited) then the St Peter's axis this where you get most of your tokunbo items.

As a first timer at Alaba you will be approached by a lot of osoafia hustlers some are genuine(looking for their daily bread and hustling to better their lives) while most of them are there to rip you off without conscience now most times they work on your greed, someone will approach you to tell you he will give you a Samsung 32" LED TV for 15k and so many outrageous prices like that if you fall for this first and cheap scam then you are your way to come create more topics about how you were scammed at Alaba.

These scammers and fraudsters have their rings and are connected it's likely you don't escape their bitter pill when you fall in the hand of one of them the best to do is to be wary of their subtle devices. It's worthy to also note that these set of people are both Yoruba and Igbos because it was terribly seeing so many people playing the tribal game and associating a particular tribe to the cheap scam that happens daily, the Yoruba osoafia guy will approach you and poison your mind on why you shouldn't patronise a Igbo guy and with trust you believe him the same thing an Igbo guy will do too(note that are all same ring both the Yoruba and Igbos) their major aim is to rip you off.

I stated earlier that there are task force that handles all the issues concerning each section of the market the main thing is identifying the section you transacted from and go and report immediately , identify the task force chairman it will be easier solving your case.

There are alot of genuine and hardworking traders in the market the same way you can't Cross out the bad guys in such a big market like that(they always have their way round) the only thing is making sure you are observant and detect any shady deals before paying for an item, read the receipt issued to you before signing.

And lastly that an item is tokunbo doesn't mean it should go for an outrageous pricing unless you are buying non tested, some particular item in tokunbo are costlier then the new ones (depending on the country of import and manufacturer).

A submission from a trader at Alaba int'l market Ojo Lagos

[/s]

It is not a consumer's job to clean up the mess you traders created in Alaba.

When you go to motor parks there are always agberos but no passenger ever hands their money to a tout and expect to get seat. This is so because NURTW has a process in place to guard against such, without unduly displacing agbero from their own daily hustle to eat.

Similarly, Alaba task force needs to setup a structure that does not unduly remove the thieves but ensure that consumers have a sense of trust when they enter your market.

If they dont know how to do it, they should contact Lagos NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo.

olumide4christ:


Or from the major dealers themselves...e.g. Fouani for LG products, SIMS for Samsung products and so on.

True Indeed, if you know the exact specs you want then that your approach makes sense

Alaba International Task force in different sections of the market should do something about Osoafia or Scammers in the market. Because they are spoiling the image of the market. No customer will come to market that is not save or where he/she can not transact business with rest of mind.

pancrowcash:
Nice write up, OP...

1. Will you return items bought in your shop (personally) if they spoil before the warranty expires?

2. From the guy's complaints, he was sold only the speakers not the player (hilarious).

The monies was to be returned, yes, coz you cannot force anyone to collect an item he doesn't want to buy, most especially if the main item was removed.

3. The eastern part of Nigeria, are known to majorly trade in that particular environment(i am from the east as well), wouldn't be reasonable if you see so many COWS in your farm, grazing on your crops, to suspect the FULANIS...

4. Unions don't come to the aids of the people because they are also traders(sympathy). The buyers need protection as well which they do not have.

I have always recommended people to use escrow services, to resolve unnecessary issues.

lolxxxxx hahahaha and what's escrow service please. put it in layman's language. but on a more serious note, am an Igbo man but those guys can kill someone and burry the person in broadday light in that market

McBrooklyn:
Home of scammers.. All this epistle wey the OP write na damage control, person wey go do you dirty go still do you dirty for that market... No be today the thing start abeg

I still feel bad for that guy wey Dem run street yesterday tho' but it is what it is... C'est la vie, guyman don learn another life lesson that for 25k

lolxxxxx hahahaha I no follow the guy trend yesterday. can you give me the link?

timibare:
Avoid this shop for your own good.....

I've saved the pic so I can help to spread the message.
Moreover, the day we learn to tackle issues without involving tribe and religion in this country, that is the ONLY way we progress in this nation.

The shop owners know these scammers....everyone in charge of the daily running of that market know these guys...however,these scammers at the end of the day settle the shop owners and task force in order to maintain their silence!
I don't care if you are diligent and upright,as long as you are silent in the mist of injustice perpetuated by these heartless criminals,you are also part of them!

This quote is for those shop owners who claim that they are hardworking and righteous....

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke.

taikonet005:


The same thing they are doing in Ghana and South Africa. Why not call a spade a spade trying to justify evil cos you think the victim is not wise enough is the reason why evil will keep increasing.

Same thing who is doing in SA?
Shebi that's how you skull miners were saying that it was Igbos getting attacked in SA,but Las Las it was your Yoruba brothers that were eventually evacuated in mass by airpeace.
Go to Ghana you will see your people there doing whatever it is you claim "they" are doing.
I don't blame you Sha, Yorubas have their way of surrounding themselves with propaganda and self deceit while condemning everyone else.

When i was a kid those days at ikeja,,
I always get scammed at ikeja by those Yoruba guys standing at the road side that like shouting you wan buy you want sell?

TheSERAPH:
Alaba Market- A shallow grave for the ignorant.

This is the same way people are ignorant of devil strategies and methods for leading them astray. When you have JESUS you will be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil as said in eph6:11.
Accept CHRIST today lest Satan take advantage of you, for the unbelivers are ignorant of his devices

you're very correct my dear brother. Satan's gimicks can only be detected by spirit filled christians and not the insensitive ones oo

Ernerstdavid55:
true I lived in alaba for 8 years, but u no mention alaba Rago wre only houser people are based, fear alaba rago dat place na hell fire, I fear dat place pass anywre in the whole wide world even alaba himself

lolxxxxx hahahaha alaba rago ke? guy that area na end of discussion. even guns and missile are there

majamajic:
Whenever u go inside market

1, Buy from established shops , if u can't handle street boys games
2, Remove greediness , don't try to buy iPhone 11 for 10k
3, Report any issues to market Union they always support u the customer , they know those buys
4, Collect and read receipts before signing and leaving the shop
5, Don't discuss with street boys at all if u can't handle them , just tell them am not buying anything
6, Demand guarantee ( if possible)
7, Even in Igbo dominated markets , most of these scammers are mostly from different different tribes , they learn small Igbo language too , so don't always fall for it
8, Be smart , like the guy of yesterday, how can someone tell u that DVD can work with generator and not with NEPA , that's not possible ! I will tell him to test it with nepa light let me see first

Made a lot of sense.
Lack of due diligence is mostly the problem.

Op I agree with you crime is committed by every tribe but for this alaba case 90% of the fraud in that market are committed by igbos I'm not tribalist but we all know this

donproject:


Do I even need to be at loggerhead with you? I hate insulting individuals. If I should give you the way you gave me, it will be weighty on you. Last warning.

You already insulted a whole tribe and not just an individual.

This is too say all Nigerians are scammers since the law enforcement agencies can't resolve the issues of internet fraud.

hisgrace090:
I hope you're about to tell us that the market leaders have resolve unanimously to stamp out those bad eggs to redeem the image of the market.

They should inform their members that anyone his shop is used in defrauding someone will be expell from the market simple.

Then they'll use one to three people as an example and this reoccurring madness will come to an end.


Failure to do so will indicates that all of them are together in scamming people and will not help the market too.

Nigeria herself is FRAUD! So it affects every tribe.

Trash
You're still trying to justify him being scammed because he priced it too low. what if he didn't know the original price?. does he work in Alaba to know that the price was too low?
Simple "e no gree", no fight, he would've known that his money was not enough to buy the item.
there are scammers from ever tribe but stop justifying this stupid act.

Read through this thread and I think some people are still myopic about the OP's point of view.
Do read again and take it in.

And you will still see old men that should be advising the young ones to stop join them in perpetrating the act

ALABACONNECT:
Read through this thread and I think some people are still myopic about the OP's point of view.
Do read again and take it in.

his last paragraph is still justifying the act, you should read it

donproject:


Heart of a normal man is pure and innate at birth. He comes to the world and start learning different things, behavioral pattern,

I said heart of a normal man , I didn't say heart of an Igbo, their hearts are pre-configured to dupe, extort, trick their unsuspecting victims at birth. It is this dirt that they carry all around and they start dispersing to different geographical location, mixing and mingling with the locals, corrupting them in the process.

This pattern can be likened to the plague the world is facing now, COVID-19, you know the story of where it started, it was not contained within the demographic space it was discovered, and boom! It becomes a pandemic. Igbos are like that virus corrupting other tribes wherever they go.

Stop quoting me kid, you can't have your way...

Those that started this before you,the JOSEPH GOEBBELS of this world ended up killing himself,his wife and his six children.be careful.

IntegralC:
his last paragraph is still justifying the act, you should read it

He isn't saying so bro. As a trader myself I can tell you that some tokunbo items are more expensive than their new. For example, tv sets produced on UK standard (tokunbo) are more expensive than the new you mostly see around because they are either made in China or made to Africa standard.

Year 2002, I went to Alaba with my late cousin who repairs radio, TV etc. We moved round the electronic shops looking for Aiwa deck(3 CD loader) fortunately who saw one got it tested with the 2 speakers and I love the sound, before the payment was made, I took hold of the speakers while my cousin carried the engine, then the guy(seller) wrote the receipt and I gave him money, on our way out of the seller's shop me and my cousin got surrounded by about 4 guys including the seller, we asked them what was the problem, to my greatest shock we were told the 12k was only for the engine and we have to pay for the two speakers, so I told the guy to return my money, he refused, after much shouting and displaying of madness, the place was tensed up, we gave them the 2 speakers due to our safety and I vowed never to buy anything or step my feet there (Alaba Int'l) again. Luckily for me I got a good speaker better than the follow come at a warehouse along Akowonjo road, Egbeda for 3.5k
My submission is save your self the stress of going to Alaba for your electronics by purchasing online or at any electronics show rooms around your area.