Consumers lament influx of substandard products in Nigerian market
The influx of substandard products in Nigeria is alarming; as a result, consumers hardly buy original products in the open market whether in the rural or urban cities.
Investigation reveals that some of these substandard products which include drugs, electronics, Information Communication Technology (ICT) products, building materials, machinery, cars and spare parts, handkerchiefs, towels, keys and padlocks, among others are imported mostly from China and other Asian countries.
According to reports, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) stated that in 2011, a large percentage (up to 85 percent) of goods in circulation in Nigeria were either substandard or counterfeit.
SON also observed that in 2014, the level went down to 40 percent (in certain industries) which still implies that out of every 10 products, four are counterfeit. These statistics highlight the need for the government, manufacturers, MNCs and consumers to step up efforts in the fight against counterfeiting.
The fact is that almost all original products have fake in Nigeria and because an average consumer cannot afford the original due to high cost, such consumer is then left with option of buying product of no value which may not stand the test of time.
A cross section of consumers who spoke with BDSUNDAY bemoaned the situation and blamed the government agencies saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that only standard products come into the country for the menace. Recounting her experience, a consumer, Blessing Chukwudinma said: “l went to buy disinfectant at a super market and before payment, l requested for the original, on getting home l discovered it was fake, l quickly went back to the super market to return the product and collect my money back, but they refused”.
She therefore, stressed the need for the enforcement of consumer right in Nigeria and added that if consumers in Nigerians are aware of their rights they will not be taken for guaranteed by producers of fake producers.”
Innocent Duru regretted that Nigeria has been turned into a dumping ground for fake products.
For him, it is difficult sometimes to identify fake product as it often has same resemblance with the original.
Duru however, appealed to consumer goods manufacturers both locally and internationally to comply with standards.
On her part, Chioma Iwuchukwu-Nweke, a former general-manager, Phillips Nigeria, affirmed that counterfeiting was designed to mislead the public and all who are involved in buying and selling the product in order to make easy money by free-riding on the reputation of others.
It is hard to pinpoint where the fake product or packaging is originally made, where the shipment originates, and who is responsible for exporting the product.
In West Africa, she said, most fake products exist in the informal trading markets rather than in the modern retailers, adding that ‘’a research on a particular product indicates that the best performing products where consumer demand is high tend to fall prey to counterfeits, including dry irons, kettles, blenders, Philips AVENT, baby bottles and certain lighting products such as TLD (tubes), starters, energy-saving lamps such as Genie lamps, halogen lamps and fluorescent tubes.
“The issue of counterfeit products has serious repercussions on consumers’ health and safety. Buyers are often looking for the best deal and are not necessarily aware of the risks involved in purchasing a counterfeit product.’’
According to her, “Global Intellectual Property Centre (GIPC) world-wide, cross-border trade in physical counterfeits alone cost the global economy USD 250 billion a year. In Africa, counterfeit products are posing serious concerns for local economies and brands who have worked hard to build reputation and consumer confidence in their markets.’’
On the other hand, she urged the public to become more vigilant and question products that seem to be unusually cheap, appear poorly made, or have generic packaging; especially when shopping at more traditional trade stores.
On how to avoid buying counterfeit products, experts gave the following tips:
.Learn to spot a fake. Don’t rely on retailers or the government to protect you from counterfeit products. The sheer quantity of these products makes this nearly impossible. The most important tip? If a deal is too good to be true, the product is probably fake
.Shop at reputable retailers. Counterfeit goods do make their way onto the shelves of even the largest, most established stores, but less reputable retailers are far more likely to sell counterfeit products.
.Shop at authorised retailers. Many companies, particularly those that sell appliances, electronics, and luxury goods, sell only through authorised retailers. You can find out if a retailer is authorised to sell a certain brand by calling the manufacturer or checking its website.
.Thrift shops, fairs, and flea markets are great places to get used and handmade items, but you should be very wary of new brand-name goods at these types of venues. While you can find legitimate bargains on used goods, it’s also a good idea to carefully examine any used product, such as tools or electronics that could pose a safety hazard.
. Be particularly careful when buying online. Online auction sites are rife with counterfeits, and since you can’t inspect the goods first, it’s hard to tell what you’re buying. Look for sellers with lots of good feedback, and ask questions about where they got the merchandise. Also ask for the seller’s address and phone number; if they won’t give it to you, there may be something amiss. Spam emails will almost always direct you to illegitimate sites. If you order from one of these sites, chances are you’ll get fake goods- if you get anything at all. Once again, whether you’re shopping online or at the corner store, be wary of deep discounts.
.Be careful when shopping abroad. You can find counterfeit products just about anywhere, but in some developing nations and in popular worldwide tourist destinations, you can be almost certain that the goods you’re buying are counterfeit. Once again, if a deal is too good to be true, the product’s probably a fake.
Ngozi Okpalakunne