Businesswoman in Distress Over Customer's Payment Demand After Shop Fire
A Nigerian businesswoman has taken to social media to share a distressing experience involving a customer who is demanding payment for a wig, even though the wig was found intact after a devastating fire outbreak in her shop. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and debate online.
Fire Outbreak Causes Massive Losses
On January 6th, the businesswoman suffered a fire outbreak in her shop, resulting in losses exceeding N3.5 million. This included her own luxury wigs and customers' items valued at around N450,000. Among the items was a wig belonging to a customer, which had been brought in for revamping and was initially assumed destroyed in the blaze.
Customer's Persistent Demand for Payment
Following the fire, the customer demanded compensation of N150,000 for the wig, which was later negotiated down to N110,000. However, the situation took an unexpected turn when the businesswoman discovered the wig unharmed while unpacking items from the day of the incident. She immediately informed the customer, expecting the matter to be resolved.
Instead, the customer insisted on receiving the N110,000 payment, despite the wig being safely in the businesswoman's possession. The customer has sent numerous messages demanding the money, leaving the businesswoman in a dilemma over whether to pay for an undamaged item.
Businesswoman Seeks Public Opinion
In a video posted on TikTok under the handle @wigzbysommy, the businesswoman explained the situation and asked for opinions. She stated, "I currently have her 110k in cash and I still have her intact hair in my possession. What is your honest opinion on this? Should I pay for a wig that is sitting right in front of me, unharmed?"
Social Media Reactions
Nigerians have flooded the comments section with varied responses. Some users advised against payment, arguing that the customer is trying to profit from the misfortune. For instance, @Sophisticated styling commented, "She’s obviously insisting for you to give her the money cus she knows her wig isn’t worth that amount and she will gain more if you pay her. So pls don’t as long as you’re sure her wig is in a good condition."
Others suggested legal action or negotiation. @Mivida Collections reacted, "Tell her to charge the case to court, if she still insist that what u have is not her wig, tell the court that you'll pay her in 5yrs, 110,000 ÷ 60 months(5yrs) should be around 1800 plus, because she's not the only one whose item is affected u need to settle others too."
Broader Context and Similar Incidents
This incident highlights the challenges faced by small business owners in Nigeria, particularly in the beauty and fashion industry. It also echoes previous reports of shop owners dealing with crises, such as a Nigerian shop owner who was alerted to smoke at her premises without visible flames, causing panic and disruption.
The businesswoman's story has drawn attention to issues of customer ethics and business recovery after disasters. As she navigates this difficult situation, the public continues to weigh in on the fairness of the customer's demands versus the businesswoman's substantial losses.
