She says “wait, are those products made in Nigeria?”
And I say “yes”. I then go on blabbing about the delivery arrangement and a natural hair salon.
And she says “you know what? Now that I just found out they are manufactured in Nigeria, I'm not sure anymore.”
I'm like “you are not sure about what?”
She says “I've lost confidence in the products.”
I’m like “because they are manufactured in Nigeria?”
She says “I'm sure you understand.”
I reply saying “No, I don't understand.”
I then give her a long lecture of how many natural hair products company make use of raw materials found in Africa, but we refuse to buy those same products if they are made in Africa. I told her I can understand if she loses confidence in our products because they are not working well or it damaged someone's hair, but I can't understand why she would lose confidence because of the location of production. I said Unilever Nigeria’s products are as good as Unilever France's products. It’s not about the location, but about the standards. African Naturalistas has come a long way. Right from the days we were using paper stickers and buying plastics at Gbadebo market, we are where we are now. I'm sure if we were not good, we won't have come this far, this fast. I even went ahead to ask her if she's inferior to people in America, just because she lives in Nigeria, lol.
It’s sad to think that some Nigerians lose confidence in a product, just based on the fact that it is made in Nigeria, and not based on what the product can do. How then will our economy grow to match that of the country we love to buy our products from? How then will we encourage new businesses to start? Let the pictorial evidence below tell you by themselves how long we have come.
I am glad that at the end of the day, I was able to convince her that she had nothing to worry about. But what about the thousands of people who think like she had been thinking, whom I don't have access to convincing? What about them?
Sad indeed.
Okay, at first I was outraged and was getting ready to jump to your defense. But then, my brain kicked in and the truth of the matter is that ordinarily, if I were given the option of buying Western vs. Nigerian, I would more than likely go with the former. It cuts across different products e.g. cereal (I simply prefer the taste of outside Cornflakes), clothes (although the Nigerian market is getting a lot better - we still need to watch the pricing and quality of the finishing!), and even beauty products (my mindset is also slowly changing towards embracing Nigerian-made).
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's a question of quality. Are the necessary quality checks being taken? How easy is it to "buy" NAFDAC? I want to know that if I buy something, it's gone through the necessary checks and I won't develop a rash or something random.
It is what it is.
Of course, I vouch for AN products ALL DAY ERRDAY!!!
http://berrydakara.blogspot.com
I agree with you... which is why I said, it is about the standards. The question is does the product work? Does it deliver on its promise? If it doesn't do all these, the business will die a natural dirt. Bad products don't last in the market, because sooner or later, everyone will know the truth. It is more about the effectiveness
DeleteWow that is such a restrictive way to think but then again, do you really blame her? We need the right authorities to ensure that every product that enters the market has gone through the necessary screening and certified ok. I feel so bad that you have to go through that, that your product has to be judged based on the impact left by every fake product that has been allowed to circulate in the past.
ReplyDeleteWhat I am saying is you will never know if you don't give us a try. Let it fail first, before you knock it down.
DeleteHi Atitola, you honestly cannot blame the person. there is a derth of good quality products as well as credible authorities to check for standards. That said, it doesn't mean there no organisations out there producing decent quality products and services just that they are few.
ReplyDeleteP.S . Came aross one of your products for the first just last week, using it and loving it already! well done.
Aww, thanks for believing in us. We will try not to fail you.
DeleteI don't blame her at all and good you were able to convince her. But then most made in Nigerian products lack quality. Yes we are getting there, people are beginning to confidence in made in Nigeria products which I believe is good for us and the economy.
ReplyDeleteYou have a point. But please, give us a try before you knock us out. That is the only way businesses can thrive here. *Hugs*
DeleteThis matter is very HOT. For people who have experienced the made in Nigeria product and had a bad experience , it is very difficult to convince them that there are genuine made in Nigeria products. I understand their fears and that can be easily allayed with sample products but the other category of "I don't use Nigerian products" because it's made in Nigeria are the ones that have no basis for their excuse..their mindset is just that made in Nigeria equates low quality...those ones can raise nose for Africa.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you made a sale at the end of the day and I am sure she will be telling others about your products.
Thanks. All I am saying is give the product a try before you knock it off.
DeleteHa! Now, I know, it was your post hubby read 2 days ago that made him to ask me out of the blues if I feel inferior to other races? We discussed about it.
ReplyDeleteSadly but true, made in Nigeria products are seen as inferior. As long as you tell people that a product is from across the sea, they buy regardless the quality! I like unilever products. I remembered a lady asked me what cream I used for my kids that she liked their appearances. I told her pears lotion and oil. She was taken aback! She thought I would mention one kind of expensive cream like that.
The urge to earn much profits makes some manufacturers to cut corners. And the lack of basic structures on ground to reduce the overhead cost is not there, hence, making some manufacturers out source for cheaper raw materials so as to have a price that can be afforded by the masses.
I also grew up with the mentality that anything from abroad was quality. But I was SURPRISED, when I found out that there are many inferior goods as well! And that the Aba-made stuff we ridiculed were even good. I wanted to get involved into trading and carried out a Feasibility and viability study on it and briefed my contact in 9ja who said the price was on the high side compared to the same merchandise sold by others. I told her it won't work because even the discounted merchandise of good quality does not go for such price. And I honestly don't know how they do it. A friend had to stop her trading because her contact told her she was sending low quality stuff. That people came back to complain to her and show her the clothes after one wash! She told them, if she buys the quality stuff, would they buy it?
Lola, you are a walking advertisement for your hair products, and am glad you were able to convince the customer. Keep up the good work.
Looolll at you hubby. Yes, people cut corners everywhere o jare. Some Aba-made stuff are pretty good.
DeleteThanks for the compliment. It is really encouraging.
I went visiting a friend last weekend and i saw a very cute handbag which she purchased on a Nigerian webiste, i clooked closely and i saw that the strap was cut and when i asked her what happened, she said the strap gave way the first time she launched the bag. These are the reasons why people don't have faith in Nigerian products. For me, there are some items i can never buy because they are made in Nigeria especially but for some other products like yours, i don't mind.
ReplyDeleteI had to come back. Looking at how far you have come, i am so proud of you. Just look at the last picture!
DeleteAwww, thanks for giving us a chance, despite the existence of bad eggs. And thanks for the compliment. It is really God ooo.
DeleteHmm what more can I say other than I bought the products and using it over here in the UK for my daughter and its been good so far! :). AN has indeed come a long way judging from the pictures and the commitment of the manufacturers! Welldone
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Traycee. You really took a chance on us, and I am glad it paid off. Can't wait to come and dine at your table pretty soon.
DeleteYou truly have come a long way and i'm so proud of you
ReplyDeleteThanks Toin. I am glad you are one of the people who made that possible.
DeleteCan you imagine that? Sometimes mentality can rob good opportunities. Welldone Atilola! You've done and are doing well. Keep being you and doing the good work.
ReplyDeleteI do understand where she's coming from and I also understand you too. You have come a long way indeed. Wishing you many more years of growth and success.
ReplyDeleteTruth be told I use products based on marketing cos at the end of the day, hardly any do what they say and results vary from person to person: plain old genetics really. But Naija or foriegn products are products its a case of does it agree with your system.
ReplyDeleteAs about testing no doubt that Nigerian products are not tested through in-depth screening hence the long list of Nigerian products that are banned in Europe and America cos the chemicals are toxic. Citronella is natural but it still can cause vast side effects. So natural is not always safe. Mind u I do love the smell of citronella though!
So basically one has better peace of mind using foreign products. But in the end its reading labels, checking seals, even checking ingredients online-thank you google- and most important studying your body's reacts to products if nothing else.