Lagos shops online more every year, partly to avoid the traffic. Delivery riders cross the city on motorbikes in hours, and almost anything can be ordered from a phone. The risks are mostly in how you pay.
Where people buy
- Online marketplaces sell electronics, appliances, clothing and household goods, with returns policies and, often, pay on delivery.
- Brand and supermarket websites deliver groceries and household goods.
- Food delivery apps bring meals from restaurants and bukas across the city.
- Social media vendors sell clothes, shoes, hair, cosmetics and food on Instagram and WhatsApp. Some are excellent small businesses; some are not businesses at all.
Paying safely
- Pay on delivery where you can, and check the item before you pay.
- Use a card or the platform’s payment system rather than a transfer to a personal account. A card can be disputed; a transfer usually cannot.
- With social media vendors, start with a small order, look for a long history of real customers, and be wary of anyone who insists on full payment upfront for a large order.
- Never pay a “delivery fee” or “customs charge” to release a parcel you did not order or were not expecting.
Receiving deliveries
Give the rider clear directions and a landmark: Lagos addresses are approximate, and riders call when they are close. In an estate, tell the gate to expect them. Check fragile items before the rider leaves.
Returns and complaints
Read the returns policy before you buy, and keep the order confirmation. If a seller will not resolve a problem, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission takes complaints from consumers.
Ordering from abroad
Goods shipped from abroad can attract duty and VAT on arrival.