The scarcity of fuel, coupled with the COVID-19 era, brought into the limelight on-line shopping.

Many Nigerians discarded the lifestyle of visiting physical markets to stay in the comfort of their homes, sending messages and making payments, while their goods get to them within days.

Vendors in physical markets seeing this shift pounced online with different advertisements hitting various social media.

While many get duped, defrauded and received ‘what you ordered versus what you got’.

It was discovered that the high cost of waybill fee is now sending online buyers back to the physical market.

Chizaram Titus, a baker, said: “I have ordered milk worth N65,000 to make yogurt in January and was told I will pay N10,000 for the way bill of the milk.

“When I looked at the cost of transportation, I knew it was going to end in regret.

I had to let go and visited the physical market to buy it.

“The problem hindering online sellers in Nigeria is this logistics.

“How will small businesses survive? This issue of logistics needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Further research revealed that the trend is frustrating vendors who are worried of losing their customers.

Mrs. Bola Sukanmi, a thrift vendor, said: “Sending goods to the states like Rivers, Delta, Edo, among others is now very expensive.

“As at last year, I paid N3,000 to N5,000 to waybill clothes my customers bought.

“But now, these bus drivers are frustrating me, making me lose customers with their ridiculous fee.

“Imagine paying N15,000 as waybill for goods worth N50,000 to Edo State from Abuja.

“Is that not ridiculous? And these drivers will insult you on this issue especially if you complain.

This has made me lose four customers and it’s really making me tired.

“A customer will buy from home better than going through such financial stress.”

Mr. Dele Tamiyu, a whiteboard and writing accessories seller, said: “I have lost many customers because of this waybill issue. The way these park people are increasing the fare to deliver goods is quite alarming. There is no increase in fuel price and the goods are not occupying seats for passengers. Then why increase the waybill fare?

“I just decided to use a logistics company and tell my customers to expect good on three to four working days.

“Though it has helped, customers who need on the spot delivery are now visiting the physical market in their area or ordering from someone nearby.” (Vanguard)

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