How to buy electronics in bulk from Lagos markets safely

Most bulk disputes start with a vague order. Before you ask for prices, write down exactly what you want, as if you were ordering from someone who has never met you:

• The exact model and variant: storage, RAM, colour, generation.
• The condition: brand new, UK used, Naija used or refurbished, and any grade.
• What must be included: box, charger, cable, accessories.
• The quantity, and whether you'll accept part now and part later.
• When you need it, and where it has to be delivered.

The same spec lets you compare dealers fairly. If one quote is for a different variant or condition, you'll see it straight away.

Brand new means sealed and unused, but it can still be an import without a local warranty. UK used (also called foreign-used or tokunbo) means used abroad and imported. Naija used means used in Nigeria and sold back. Refurbished means repaired or restored before resale.

None of these is a fixed standard, and grades vary between dealers. When you order used or refurbished stock, agree what the grade means (acceptable scratches, battery health, replaced parts) before you agree a price.

Electronics prices in Nigeria follow the dollar, so a price from last month may be out of date. Ask several dealers for their price on the same spec within a few days of each other. A bulk price should be lower than the unit price; ask how it changes with quantity.

Be cautious with any price far below everyone else's. It can be a genuine clearance, but it's also how many scams start.

With bulk orders, the dealer matters as much as the price. Look for a real store you can visit, a history of trading, and someone who answers questions about condition directly. On Dealrs, look for the verified badge: it means the dealer has verified their identity, and verified stores may have had an in-person visit from our team.

Our guide to choosing a reliable supplier in a Lagos market goes into this in more detail.

With a new dealer, start with a sample or a small first order. Inspect it properly. Our checklists for UK-used iPhones and used laptops show what to look for. If it matches what you agreed, place the bigger order with more confidence.

When the full order is ready, check it before it leaves the store if you can. Count the units, match model and serial numbers to the boxes, and test a sample. For phones, check every unit for account locks.

• Pay into an account in the dealer's own name or their business name. Be very careful if you're asked to pay a third party.
• If account details change by message at the last minute, call the dealer on a number you already know to confirm.
• For large orders, consider paying in stages (a deposit, then the balance after inspection or delivery) and agree this up front.
• Get an itemised receipt or invoice: models, quantities, conditions, prices and, for phones and laptops, IMEI or serial numbers.

Dealrs doesn't collect or hold payments between buyers and dealers. Anyone asking you to pay "through Dealrs" to a personal account isn't acting for us.

Decide who arranges and pays for delivery, how the goods will be packed, and who is responsible if something breaks on the way. Screens, TVs and laptops need proper packing. Check the goods as soon as they arrive, and report problems the same day.

Agree what happens to units that fail your checks: replacement, refund or a price reduction, and within how many days. Put it in writing. A WhatsApp message is better than nothing.

Keep the agreed spec, the receipts, the serial numbers and the messages for every bulk order. They settle disputes quickly, show you which dealers deliver what they promise, and make reselling easier. If you trade yourself, the Dealer Hub keeps your stock ledger, customers and invoices in one place, and a clear trading record helps if you later apply for stock financing.

• A price far below other dealers for the same spec.
• Pressure to pay now, before you've seen or tested anything.
• No store, or a meeting point that keeps changing.
• Someone offering to take you to a seller in the market instead of you going straight to the store.
• Refusal to write down what you've agreed.

Post a buy request in the Dealrs app with your spec, quantity, condition and the price you want to pay. We review it, then find verified dealers in Computer Village, Alaba and Saka Tinubu who have the goods and get back to you. Not using the app? Send a product request on the website and our team will look for it. Browse categories traded on Dealrs to see what dealers deal in.