₦airaland Forum

Really? That's the best conclusion you could come up with after reading what I wrote? Please do not distract people from the REAL issue. Thanks!

ojeffo: CHEAP POPULARITY NA EM D OP DEY FIND

Yes o I get time.....even if he doesn't respond I want enough people to be aware!

dytbabe: Ok na
Let's go dia

Bt u get time o OP
If at all he comes here, all u will see is

Inspiredm
Cheers in blue fonts

Dear Mr. Inspired Autos,

I am writing this open letter to you because all of Nairaland and others outside of Nairaland need to understand certain things about you. Before I proceed I need to share a disclaimer. I am a car dealer as well and I also do pre-order (in very different ways from you). However, I have never solicited or done a car deal through nairaland so this is not an attempt to drum up some business for myself. Also I don't know you and have never done any business with you. Now that we've gotten that out of the way let me get to my point.

I have defended you or at least asked for nairalanders to always give you an opportunity to defend yourself before making judgements in cases you've been accused in the past. However, your latest trend is starting to become an overt indication that you see yourself as entitled or above "the law." You are probably the most discussed and talked about dealer on nairaland for various reasons and I think that has been both good and bad; lately more bad than good. Here are some samples just incase you need a reminder.....

https://www.nairaland.com/1838697/own-pre-order-tale-inspired-autos

https://www.nairaland.com/1790431/#24327529

Ordinarily I would say let's hear both sides of the story before we judge but this is now about being a repeat offender. Mr. Inspired you credibility has completely tanked now as far as I am concerned. After reading most of your replies and even slightly asking customers to give you the benefit of doubt in the past I think you are a con artist and you do business on a false reputation. Your responses to these types of allegations hardly ever fully address your paying customer's concerns. Instead you give half hearted mumbo jumbo responses forgetting you have a customer who has trusted you with their hard earned cash. Honesty is not about what you make people believe but letting them know the reality of every situation. Why should a customer have to find out that the car they ordered is not the car that was shipped and cleared by you. Since I am in the same business I can categorically tell you you've had several opportunities to know which car was sent even if you never saw the car on the US side. For goodness sake there is a dock receipt that's issued before the car ever makes it to the port with the vehicle information including the VIN on it. How about the BOL or telex release that was issued before the vessel arrived? The information on the vehicle was on there as well!

I think one of your problems is you over promise and under deliver which is a big no no for any business owner and you know that so why do you keep doing it? You potray the glitz and glamor of a very successful business so why the need to mislead your customers? We constantly hear about cars not meeting your "21days to lagos" marketing phrase. Personally I don't even know how you can GUARANTEE 21days when you have NO control over US customs clearing titles and freight liners overbooking vessels etc.. Then we hear about you "40% deposit" mantra becoming another marketing ploy as you tend to adjust that number as you see fit. I would never tell anyone how to run their business but if you shine a poor light on an industry with well meaning, hardworking people you deserve to be called out. Why anyone would do business with you especially from nairaland from here on out would simply be out of stupidity! You have shown over and over again that you will continue to play your customers as long as you can.

As someone else mentioned on a previous post I do not understand why NL has you as a moderator in the autos section. The complaints against you are pilling up and they usually have the same trends as far as what you promised and what you actually delivered. STOP DECEIVING PEOPLE and maybe one day your reputation will be salvaged. You always comment on the blessings and favor of God on you and your business and I'm glad you believe in God. Now its time for you to stop being only a hearer of the word but now become a DOER! The greatest sermon you can ever preach is without a single word; its THE WAY YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE!

Best wishes,

TxSwat

Starting to really enjoy the input from the lawyers on this forum. With all that being said how do WE push the envelop to get this policy changed/postponed/amended etc.. I don't think this policy is completely bad but there are not enough resources on ground to validate the NEED for this policy right now.

ikenga67: Under a constitutional democracy, the Constitution is a framework. It is left to the practitioners (the political arms of governemnt, the courts, the legal profession and the enlightened public) to fill out this skeleton so it takes legal and political form as constitutional law and constitutional convention. A prolix Constitution (one that seeks to provide for everything) will only cause confusion and contradict itself. You can read the whole of the US constitution including all the amendments in less than 30 minutes. However, the interpretations accorded to that slim volume will fill a whole library. The point I am making is that the Consitution does not have to spell out that some powers may not be delegated. Our borrowed and inherited constitutional laws have to take care of that. All the courts have to do is adopt interpretation rules that give full weight to the intent of the constitution. Our problem is that our courts adopt a too literal reading of constitutional text, ignoring that first and foremost, the Constitution is a political document whose over-arching purpose is a scheme to LIMIT the powers of governement.
And yes, I am a lawyer - licensed both Nigeria and New York so I am actually in a position to do a little comparative analysis, lol!!

Ok that helps clarify a few things. Always good to hear from an expert on certain things that go beyond the average guy's educational knowledge.

ikenga67: In the US that will be patently unconstitutional. For one, there is no way that the US Federal Courts will allow Congress to delegate its taxing powers (and imprt duties is a tax...in this case a huge one!) to the executive or its agencies. Also such untramelled delegation of powers to either the presidnet or an agency (as this Automotive policy) seeks to do without clearly identifiable and in-built legislative oversight will not pass constitutional muster.
But this is Nigeria we are talking about here. You will think having borrowed the US system, we will also borrow its richly developed body of constitutional and administrative laws, but you will be fooling yourself.
I am convinced that 90% of the cause of the failure of the democratic system in Nigeria is because the practitioners (especially the legislators and the judges and lawyers) are functional constitutional law illiterates.
So the answer to your question sadly is that the courts might find it constitutional since they cannot find any language in the constitution that expressly prohibits that. They are that literal!!!

@ikenga67 are you a lawyer? Just asking because your conclusion seems "matter of fact." I'm curious because if the nigerian constitution is almost a cc of the american constitution definitely there should be language in there that prohibits actions like this. I personally don't think we need to take this lying down. I've noticed nigerian officials do all sorts until lots of negative attention is brought to it and if its consistent enough they "might" change.

ikenga67: From a legal point of view, I even have serious doubt if this so-called policy can pass constitutional muster.
Here we have a policy that will have major impact on both the economy and the revenue of the Federal Governemnt, not to talk of having disruptive effect on industry. The NASS should be responsible for inititating such policies through duly passed legislation. Of course in the modern system the legislature can delegate some of its functions to the executive and other agencies, but the legislature ought to have in place a mechanism for overseeing the delegatee of such powers. I doubt if any of that has been put in place here, but again, this is Nigeria!!!

I asked this very question about 2 pages back. Are there any lawyers on the forum who can confirm if the executive branch can pass and implement a policy like this without going through the two chambers of congress? I'm not a lawyer but this seems unconstitutional to me.

For those advocating for this policy do you understand what it takes to operate an automobile manufacturing plant?
1. Do you realize you need the guarantee of 24hr electricity?
2. Do you realize they will require certain security guarantees?
3. Do you realize a proposal has to be made to the board of the company for approval? That can take years of study to produce facts and numbers to validate the investment.
4. When the president said Nissan is coming to setup a plant did he
a. Give any specifics for location,
b. Date first cars will be available for purchase,
c. Is there a local content requirement by the Nigerian government that guarantees X amount of jobs
5. Or are Nigerians supposed to just believe him because HE said so?

BTW the answer to all the questions in #4 is no, no and no because there is more than likely no immediate plan or commitment buy any foreign manufacturers to set up an assembly plant in Nigeria; if there was Nissan would be advertising their new partnership with the Nigerian government as well.

Gentlemen I want to encourage you to have an intelligent discussion (even while you disagree) without getting personal and getting involved in name calling. When we do that the focus shifts from the content of the discussion which in this case is this new policy.
Are there any lawyers on this forum that can clarify if it is even constitutional for the president and the minister pass and implement a policy like this? Shouldn't this process have gone through the two chambers of congress?

apache77:
u r in trouble bro...kick her asz out....you are not being firm..
my wife, wen we were dating was very refractive- as in very stubborn. i could come to see her and she will tell me get out- boota- it was dat bad. One night wen we had issues, and i was trying to stop her from stomping away in anger, she slapped me. I just held her and didnt even vex. she later put it down to being tipsy. i forgot the issue and just hung in der, swallowing all the shitt she handed down for years.....
till one fateful night in 2009 wen she misbehaved, while we were out.

I descended on her so brutally while a friend was driving us back home, she opened the door of the fast moving car to jump down- it would hav been manslaughter.We had to stop, i beat the hell out of her she crawled under the car and more than two dozen cars had to crowd round us cos people following thought it was a kidnap attempt. That was five years ago.

But since that day, the lose screw in her head tightened back and she has been very pliable, very amenable now. We are married now and no issues- she is the most humble wife you can think of- and i dont threaten her or try to lord over her- no. Just a loving relationship, but she has it at the back of her mind, this her husband can be a beast if he decides to.

She initially never liked my own friends and people around me- just her own people and friends- but now the tide has changed- its more my people around us now and my friends and no one complains- she always has a nice demeanour towards everyone. Matter of fact, as I speak, she is not just in family home, two cities away, but has even followed my mum to our village home- they have a great relationsnhip and I am happy.

This was a very very refractive woman who made our relationship hell- of all of us who dated it was difficult for any one man to get a handle on her, but I have tamed her and we have a wonderful relationship. Infact, right now, she is the one putting in all the effort to make the marriage work while I just cross my legs and watch her in amusement.

I think the single most decisive moment in our relationship was that fateful night 3years into our relationship when i beat the hell out of her- that singular moment turned the tables and told her i was firmly in charge.

You may need your own decisive moment too, to save your marriage...and your sanity, if its not too late already

Is this for real? You really "BEAT" your wife into submission and now she loves and respects you more than ever before? As a married man I know women can have their issues and all but to think "beating" her into submission has solved a marital issue is naive at best.

@OP Please seek marital counseling from your pastor or someone you both respect (preferably a married couple). Sometimes it helps hearing things from an outside source we trust. Best wishes!

olanshi: I think the move to Increase the import duty has been suspended...

Where did you get that info from?

Area-Fada:
Frontpage please.

@OP, you could have done without personally insulting the president.

I don't think I insulted the President personally in anyway. I merely stated a fact and asked a question that I'm sure MOST nigerians have.

@bizbooks not sure how to send it to you but here are the attachments

Here is the official memo

Mr moderator I think this post is appropriate in this section. This is a "car talk" section and we are discussing issues affecting the auto buying/selling industry. Please reconsider your "warning" and allow further discussion on this matter in this section.

Also I got a the memo of the 70% tarrif and I am trying to post it but file is too large 400KB. Anyone know how to attach a file that size?

For those defending this new law I think you need to re-evaluate the intent and implementation of this law separately to understand why people are upset. Nigerians will gripe and groan about anything that'll cost them more but most will be okay with it if there is an eventual net gain for them even if it takes a few years. While the proposed plan/idea is good, the implementation is an absolute disaster waiting to happen.
I could explain it again but this video explains it better
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM8bGPrKLXk

When everyone is allowed to play on an even playing field then Nigerians will buy into the idea but as long as the rich or "friends of government" are allowed to play on a level that gives them a significant advantage over the populace the outcry will only get louder. While I have no hard evidence I believe this will play out like the oil subsidy issue. Eventually they'll reduce the duty somewhere between 20% and 70% and declare a "compromise" has been reached while their original goal of monopolizing the auto industry market is still somewhat attained. Most civilized countries would never pass a law like this without providing significant research data to back up the NEED for the law and some public support. Where do we start a petition?

President Goodluck Jonathan and his "FRIENDS" are obviously at it again. As many of you know starting Jan 10th 2014 duty and tariffs on "tokunbo" cars has been increased from 20% to 70%. Their argument and rationale for passing and implementing this law is to encourage foreign car manufacturers (toyota/nissan/honda/VW etc..) to invest in car manufacturing plants in Nigeria as a result creating more jobs for nigerians.
This law is so flawed in principle and implementation in many ways I don't even know where to start. For starters what foreign manufacturing company is going to agree to have a plant in a country with no stable electricity? Will the President and his cohorts answer that simple question. Or better yet, do they plan on running a car manufacturing plant with 24 hr generators? It simply makes no sense right from inception.
Even if they (Toyota, honda, hyundai, mazda, lexus,volswagen etc...) agreed to do that a law like this should be implemented in phases. This is not a project that is done within a year. It'll take somewhere between 3 to 5 years to adequately get a project like this functional. So while trying to create jobs in maybe 5 years they'll dry up tens of thousands of jobs, maybe hundreds of thousands when you consider dealers, their employees, clearing agents and their employees. What alternatives do you have for people who have made these trades their livelihoods for numerous years? Again a system that eats at its own core.
Lastly do you EVER see president Obama in a Range Rover or a BMW? No because in order to encourage local manufacturers ALL government official vehicles; from the white house to the loving county, Texas are american brands; Cadillac, Ford, chevrolet etc.. So good job President Jonathan you have once again shown the Nigerian people you are absolutely clueless and have no pulse for the people who gave you their vote to be president. But then again did they really give you their VOTE?

Nice car but it doesn't look like a 2013; maybe a 2012. 2013 Has a new body...good luck!

@ OP Have you ever considered the thought that learning languages gives you a competitive advantage in a market that's becoming increasingly global every minute of the day. While I think I have an idea of where you might be going with your argument I think your assumptions are incredibly exaggerated. Having "low self esteem" is not a Nigerian thing it's a human thing. By the way a lot people I have met from other countries think Nigerians are generally proud and overly confident to the point of arrogance. I think there might be an argument to be made for that as well but it does not mean MOST or ALL are.

@OP please send these pictures to a newspaper editor or sahara reporters. I don't know any good doctor or nurse that would even agree to work at a hospital in this type of physical condition! Most health professionals would tell you they need to make sure a patient is in a good mental state to treat them for physical issues.

I'd like to see the VIN on this car too

You know this is not a 2008 model right? It's at least a 2009 model. Good luck on your sales!

I ran into this mighty prayer on by a poster responding to the death of former Super Eagles midfielder Thompson Oliha.

" All those who have been stealing my oil money like Thief Obasanjo, IBB, Babalakin,Jimoh Ibrahim, Dmeji Bank-Ole, abdulsalami, Danjuma etc are still alive while patriots like Yekini, Okafor & now Oliha are gone.

Oh good lord, kill & destroy all those who have been stealing my oil & who illegally own my oil blocks. Kill them, afflict them with diseases that German, Saudi, US & Canadian hospitals & Babalawos cannot cure. Let them die & the birds of the air feed on their pungent smelling bodies. Let even the earth reject them. Let their places in hell be heated to the number of centigrade equal to the figures of the Naira they stole from my oil&gas.

...as they have polluted our waters, land & air, let their stomach, liver, heart, blood vessles, kidneys be polluted in good measure. We pray Oh Lord. Amen & Amen. Thomson, rest in Peace."

I wonder how many other Nigerians are sending these types of prayers their way?

Today we celebrate memorial day here in the US. I know this is a nairaland thread but you can't help but think about naija on a day like this. The whole country(USA) has taken this special day off to celebrate their military personnel especially the fallen. The national cemeteries are beautiful decorated with american flags, and President Barack Obama gave a speech showing his gratitude to the men and women who have served and given him the opportunity to live in a free society. I have never served in the military but I have many family members and friends who have served in the military and I am very proud of them for the sacrifices they've made.
With that being said I am wondering if the oath the military personnel in naija take is that much different because citizens of both countries view their military in two totally different ways. As Gordons(the comedian) said "when soldier slap you na then you go know say police na your friend." I'm pretty sure they take an oath to protect the citizens of their respective countries against ALL enemies. When we sit back and evaluate we see how far naija really has to go. The most upsetting part is I don't see progress in most cases I only see regression. Can anyone argue the fact that naija is much worse than she was on Oct 1 1960?

Whats the going rate for clearing 2013 SUVs?

As a person of faith let me start by saying most of what he is saying is probably true but it has nothing to do with what he did or said. God is not a genie! The simple law of sowing and reaping is applicable in all facets of life. You don't need to be a religious person to understand it or even practice it. Unfortunately "preachers" use it to manipulate impressionable people. What's most important for people to know is God does not need your money to accomplish anything. There are some things the bible teaches on being good stewards of our money but whether people decide to give an offering or not God can still accomplish what he wants to accomplish. This "24hr miracle teaching" is very dishonest at best! Will God decide not to bless people who cannot afford the "price" ($240 or $100)? I am not a bible scholar and don't pretend to know it all in the bible but there are some basic elements of the bible that are not opened to anyone's self promoting interpretation. Might as well change the title of the message to "Bring your money to the Genie for a 24hr miracle" Excuse my french but that is a bunch of BS!!!

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

If you need authentic toyota parts directly from a toyota dealership in the US please send your inquiries to daatoent@yahoo.com. I will respond will a quote within 24hrs and your order will be in Lagos ready for pickup in 7 - 14 days; delivery schedules to other parts of the country will vary. Please be sure to include the VIN for your vehichle, model and year. SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY PLEASE!

coogar: babangida did not kill dele giwa....

coogar: babangida did not kill dele giwa....

So who did?

autoselect: Your points are very valid but are not making empty promises here. Selling cars is not rocket science and we are not small time players in anything we do.

When we brought in our high quality coastal engine oil & ATF into the market people said there's no way we can compete with Mobil, Total etc. Coastal is now selling like hot cakes and we expect to increase market share in short order. Same with Autolite spark plugs and Fram oil filters. They said we would be slaughtered by fake china parts. These products are doing very well.

Our business philosophy is simple, give people value at low cost. Everybody wants a deal! That is how Sam Walton built Walmart. We are sticking with that business philosophy. It will always work especially in a third world country like ours.

All we wanna do is save you some money, baby! Thats what we do best! www.autoselectcorp.com check it out!

Just to clarify I did not intend to imply you or anyone is making empty promises. I was just giving some general advise about the issue being discussed; I'm sure you're good at what you do. Best wishes with your business!

I always find threads that promote transparency in business interesting. I don't sell any cars on NL; pretty much all my customers have come from referrals so I don't necessarily have a dog in this race if you know what I mean. With all that being said I think there are a few issues with the format being proposed.
1. As a dealer I don't mind people doing all their research and picking out what they want and I can facilitate the entire process for a fee but be advised what you see "online" doesn't always tell the story. As a matter of fact big dealerships will sometimes list an ad just to get you to their lot only to tell you the car just sold but they have something else to offer; in most cases not as nice but more expensive.
2. Also as far as shipping is concerned sometimes there are delays with car titles either being released by the dealerships or clearing US customs for departure. I've had a car stuck at the port for almost a month before it was cleared to leave so I know it happens sometimes.
3. Another point is if you are selling clean accident free cars I'm not sure you can really "markup" the cars significantly and stay in business. The competition is too stiff besides you also have to compete with people importing "total loss", no airbag having, flood and other unsafe cars.
My best advise to people is understand that this is a business for whoever you're dealing with. Do your research on the car you want to understand its market rate and try to deal with people who you've seen evidence of their work. These will lower your exposure and keep your cost as low as possible. One last thought my fellow NLers; if it sounds too good to be true it PROBABLY IS!

@ Emperoh replacing airbags is a very "sensitive" job. Understanding what's at stake I personally would not trust anyone but a Toyota dealership to get it done. I don't know the extent of the quality of auto-mechanics at Toyota dealerships in Nigeria but you need to be be very aware.
Also when you say "the car per assessment can be fixed back to a sound, 'driveable' condition"; is that assessment done by an insurance adjuster? Because to be quite honest if the required technology and workmanship necessary is not readily available how did they come to that conclusion? That assessment might be worth contending if you can prove that the Toyota dealerships/ auto-mechanics on ground are not equipped to deal with such issues. Replacing the airbag is the easy part. Making sure the sensors are properly fitted is the most crucial part of the repair. In the US most repair shops (NAPA, Firestone etc..) will still send the car to a Toyota dealership to certify the functionality of the repaired airbag. With all that being said please be careful and congrats on the safety of your parents!!!