E-commerce has not only come to stay; it is a blessing in disguise. Having an internet-enabled digital device allows you to shop from anywhere and get quality products. You definitely have a chance of getting the best deals in technology products in Nigeria from reliable e-commerce sites. And of course these product offers are not limited to technology products, but that is our focus in this article.
Whether you are a city dweller in any busy Nigerian city, suburb or even a rural dweller, you save yourself the headache of transportation. The option of direct delivery to your doorstep is a huge relief. What’s more, there is an amazing variety of technology products – from the best to the lowest quality (and price) you can choose from. Popular e-commerce sites in Nigeria are willing to give you value-added deals in addition to safe packaging and delivery. So how can you ensure you get the best deals on technology products in Nigeria? Get some essential tips on how to do so as you read along.
An Overview of Online Marketplaces in Nigeria
There are many reputable e-commerce websites in Nigeria as we speak; and the list continues to grow. Some of them are niche websites that target a particular set of products. Popular e-commerce websites that offer technology products in Nigeria include Slot, Blessing Computers, Shopinverse, Pointek, Kara, Fouani, Xpark and many others. You can also rely on global brands such as LG, Apple, Samsung, Tecno, HP, Lenovo, Oraimo, et cetera, and their partner stores around the country. These global brands offer the best deals on technology products in Nigeria, backed with a warranty.
Some other e-commerce websites are more general, offering a wide variety of products. Reputable online marketplaces in Nigeria in that category include Jumia, Konga, Jiji.ng, AjeboMarket, ObiWezy, Kara, CDCare, Supermart and Kilimall.
Smartphones, computers, tablets, cameras and several electronic accessories are amongst some of the best deals on technology products in Nigeria offered by these sites.
Arm Yourself With the Knowledge: Do an Online Research
Once you have decided what product(s) you want to buy, the next step is to do an online research.
- Firstly, find out if the exact (or near enough) specification for your desired product exists on Nigerian e-commerce websites. Take note of each website that makes such an offer.
- Get user or customer reviews about the e-commerce websites you have checked. Their service delivery, customer service, payment methods and plans, as well as quality of products are very vital. Take note of these details.
- Check the name and contact details of available e-commerce vendors. And take down notes.
- Check the nearness of the date of offer to the present moment, for every such product you find. You definitely would not want to start negotiating for a product no longer available.
Be on the Lookout for Special Deals
By now you may be well aware of special offers that come now and then from reputable online stores in Nigeria. As a reminder, Jumia for instance has its Black Friday, Tech Week, and Flash Sales when attractive discounts are offered by vendors on their products. Konga’s Yakata and tech deals are another example. You can plan towards such events to benefit from discount sales for top product offers.
Find Out About Value-Added Services (e.g. Warranty)
Does the product vendor or website offer free delivery (with or without specific terms and conditions?) Are there ‘buy one and get a free gift’ offers?
It is even more important to seek a product warranty to cover your technology product. You may require technical assistance to set up and/or use your technology product after purchase. Ideally, such a warranty can last somewhere between 6 months and two years – on average, check for a year’s warranty. Global brands such as Samsung or LG normally offer such a warranty without any customer demanding it.
Within that period, you can get technical support for your product free of charge from the vendor, or any of the partner shops of global brands nationwide. You can also return the product if it shows any signs of malfunction or defect, within that warranty period. Be sure to look out for such technology products covered with a warranty.
Impulsive Buying is Dangerous: Avoid It
Do not get carried away by a product’s appearance. Think carefully and decide if the technology product will work for you. Also consider the cost implications of buying that product; it would be wise to have a budget ready. Ensure you budget for what you can afford, without compromising on the product quality.
You can reduce the temptation to buy just what you are attracted to. A safe way of doing so is to pen down the specifications or requirements you need from that technology product. Thereafter, compare your list of needs to what is being offered by online product vendors, and choose the most reasonable offer.
Compare Prices
It is important to sample the online marketplace and compare the prices of your chosen technology product. You should have an idea of the average cost of that product. Compare the current prices, newness, quality and other value-added benefits available with each vendor before choosing the most sensible person to patronize. You are also advised to have at least two vendor options ready. If one product vendor fails to deliver or is not available, you can quickly seek for the next reasonable one.
Choose Your Target Vendor
Once you have decided on the website(s) that meet your needs, next is to choose a reliable vendor. We should call or message the chosen vendor soon afterwards, to know how responsive he or she is. You may still attempt to negotiate the deal – perhaps he/she will be willing to give a reduced price. Check for feedback or reviews from past customers of the said vendor. If the online marketplace where the vendor is listed is reputable, such reviews will be shown under the vendor’s profile. You will need this to avoid falling prey to scammers and unreliable vendors.
Better still, if it is possible to visit the physical store and sample their products ahead of purchase – you can try it. Also find out if the vendor has a refund policy in place. A responsible technology product vendor should not be afraid to put a refund policy in place, if his/her product and service is trustworthy. Such a vendor has a vision to uphold his/her integrity, and retain his customers for future deals. Take note of such people.
Payments Methods: The Need for Security
Having a secure payment channel that will not compromise your bank account details or ATM card information is very important. Confirm that the vendor has a safe payment platform in place. It is particularly important if you are paying for the technology product on an e-commerce site (or their app). If you are not yet confident of how secure their payment channels are, you can opt for payment on delivery (which is quite common).
And by all means, get the receipt and proof of transaction for your technology product; make sure you store it for future proof. It may be necessary to tender it at any time.
