Let’s be honest—online shopping has become a lifesaver for many of us. You can lie in bed with your hair net still on, scroll through endless product photos, tap “add to cart,” and have your order delivered to your doorstep like magic. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s often cheaper than going to a store physically.
But for all its convenience, online shopping comes with its own set of traps—some of them costly, frustrating, and downright disappointing. Sometimes, what you see online is not what you get. And there are certain categories of products that should never make it into your digital cart—unless you’re already familiar with them or ready to gamble.
Let’s walk through five of the riskiest products to buy online, especially in Nigeria, and what you can do to protect yourself.
1. Foundation and Complexion-Based Skincare Products
Every skin tone is unique. Even within the same complexion category—light, medium, dark—undertones (warm, cool, olive) differ. Foundation shades that appear flawless on the screen may turn out to be completely wrong in real life. Buy products with a skin shade grade that you are sure matches your skin tone.
Product photos are often shot under studio lighting or digitally edited; the same “Golden Caramel” shade can look yellow, brown, or grey depending on the lighting, filters, or model wearing it. Your device’s screen might distort the color further.
Picture this: You ordered what you thought was your perfect match just by looking at the picture from an Instagram skincare store. It looked “just right” on the model. Until you put it on, it looks like white powder gone wrong. Worse, the seller doesn’t allow returns once the seal is broken.
What You Should Do Instead:
- Only repurchase shades you’ve used before.
- If you must try something new, buy from platforms that offer shade-matching guides
- Better still, test in a store (like Zaron, MAC, or House of Tara outlets) and then reorder online later.
2. Highly Fragile Items (e.g. Glassware, Mirrors, Ceramics)
Shipping in Nigeria is not for the faint-hearted. Whether it’s a courier company or a local dispatch rider, fragile items rarely arrive in one piece unless they’re packaged with military-grade protection.
- Vendors don’t always bubble wrap thoroughly.
- Road conditions, careless handling, and crammed Keke rides during delivery can cause breakage.
- Courier companies often refuse liability—even with “FRAGILE” clearly written.
I suggest you rather:
- Buy breakables from trusted marketplaces that inspect and transport them personally.
- If you must order online from the vendors directly, choose vendors that offer in-person pickup or verified protective packaging.
- You can also request unboxing video evidence from the dispatch rider while they’re still at your door.
3. Shoes from Unverified Brands or Vendors
Shoe sizing can be deceptive. A “size 39” from one brand may be a tight squeeze, while another 39 might feel like slippers. Add that to the fact that many online shoe photos are copied from Pinterest or AliExpress, and you’ve got a disaster waiting to happen. Some sellers will never indicate don’t state if sizing runs small or large, so don’t buy from them!.
Nigerian weather and poor-quality glue can cause fake leather shoes to peel in two wears. What looks like genuine leather might turn out to be plastic with fancy photo edits.
How to Avoid the Disappointment:
- Stick to reputable shoe brands and vendors that have sizing charts and reviews.
- Avoid first-time shoe purchases from new vendors unless they offer returns.
- Check if the vendor posts customer reviews with pictures—not just model shots.
4. Perfumes and Fragrances (Unless Repeats)
Fragrance is deeply personal. A scent that smells fresh and romantic to someone else might smell sharp or irritating to you. Online listings can describe perfumes as “floral and warm,” but your nose might translate that as “headache-inducing.” I advise you to only buy fragrances you’ve used before online. For one, you can’t smell through your screen, and scent notes listed online are not always accurate.
- Only buy fragrances you’ve tried and loved.
- For new scents, visit a store and test it in person first.
- Avoid sketchy deals that seem too cheap—chances are, it’s a fake.
5. Electronics Without Warranty or Return Policy
Electronics can be expensive, and knock-offs are everywhere. A phone, laptop, or smart device might look great on screen but fail to perform—or not even work at all.
- Many online stores post photos of original products but deliver substandard ones.
- Sellers may disappear or blame the “manufacturer” when your item has issues.
- Items without a warranty or return policy put all the risk on you.
I would suggest you;
- Never buy electronics from an online store that doesn’t list clear warranty info.
- Prefer platforms like Jumia, Konga, or 9th Marketplace where there are refund policies and verified sellers.
- Always check reviews and request a demo or unboxing video if possible.
Bonus Tip: Ask Yourself These 3 Questions Before You Buy Online
- Do I fully understand the size, texture, and color of what I’m buying?
Especially important for clothes, makeup, shoes, and décor. - Is the seller traceable and reputable?
If they only post WhatsApp numbers and don’t allow returns, think twice.
Smart Shopping Is Safe Shopping
Online shopping isn’t the enemy—uninformed shopping is. Every smart buyer learns from a few disappointments, but you don’t have to learn the hard way every time.
So before you “add to cart,” pause and ask yourself the necessary questions. Your peace of mind is worth more than a product you can’t use, return, or even resell.
Let’s normalize smart spending, not just impulse spending.
