How to check an online vendor before paying in Nigeria

Confirm exactly who you are dealing with

Save the vendor's username, phone number, page link or website. If the conversation moves from Instagram to WhatsApp, make sure you know which number you are now dealing with.

Look through the vendor page properly

Do not judge the page from one post. Look through older posts, comments, tagged posts and the general history of the account.

A professionally designed page is useful, but it is not proof on its own.

Check the payment instructions

When the vendor sends an account number, look at the account name shown by your banking app before completing the transfer.

If the account belongs to someone whose name you were not expecting, ask the vendor about it before sending money.

Confirm the full price

Ask whether the quoted amount includes delivery. A common source of disagreement with online vendors is unclear delivery cost or unexpected extra payment after the first transfer.

Ask when your order will be sent

Try to get a clear answer instead of just "soon". If a dispatch rider will be used, ask when pickup is expected and whether you will receive any delivery information.

Screenshot important information

Before paying, save the product post, agreed price, vendor username and important parts of the conversation. Also keep your transfer receipt afterwards.

It only takes a minute and gives you a record of what was agreed if something later changes.

If the transaction later becomes a problem

Keep those records. If the vendor does not deliver what was agreed, a promised refund does not arrive or another problem occurs, you can submit a report through B4YouSend.