Business Transactions: Dealing with Trust Issues in Lagos

Living in Lagos State, Nigeria, means that you have a constant fear of being swindled. Lagos is notoriously known for having a lot of criminal activities, with fraud being at the top of the list. Living in Lagos means that you have to always look over your shoulders and be alert at every point in time. You have to plan ten steps ahead, especially when interacting with unfamiliar parties and strangers. Let me narrate an incident that made me question whether I was being swindled recently.

I had a faulty door and was connected with a carpenter a few weeks ago. After he completed his job, he pitched himself to me and I thought ‘I need a new sofa a bed frame, this guy can help me construct them’. We discussed the designs, and I proceeded to pay 70% of the payment, agreeing to balance the remaining 30% after delivery. He promised a two-week timeline for the job.

After the first week, I messaged him to confirm the upcoming delivery which is the following week. He informed me that he couldn’t meet the timeline and requested an extra week due to some issues, this will make it a total of 3 weeks instead of the initial timeline of 2 weeks. He explained that he couldn’t obtain treated wood and had to treat normal wood himself, causing a delay. Though I was a little bit furious because I had already planned myself according to the timeline given to me by him but I had to accept the extension to ensure the quality of the product. Despite asking for pictures of the progress, I received no response afterwards.

By the end of the second week, I thought I should check on him again since I did not receive the picture he promised to send about a week ago. I did not receive a reply to my message and I became concerned. I messaged him late at night so as I did not get a response, I was calm since it was already late. The next day, I thought I should call him again. I placed a call 3 times and I did not get a response either. On the third day, I called multiple times but received no response. Now I started getting worried. ‘What is going on?’ Is it possible that I have been swindled? This man was responding very fast before, so why is he not responding to me now?’, those were all my thoughts. I finally got a message saying his phone was faulty and being repaired by an engineer. Relieved to get a response, I waited patiently.

On the fourth day, after obtaining an alternative number from the engineer, I spoke with the carpenter. He explained that his shop had been ransacked by thugs, damaging many goods. Anxious about the fate of my furniture, he requested an extra day for delivery, now set for Saturday. I hope to receive my furniture on that day and pray that I will be satisfied, considering I don’t even know the location of his office. Let’s see what happens on Saturday.

#MMBA5