In Nigeria, what I ordered vs what I got is far too common, especially with event vendors and tailors.
A friend once saw a picture of nonstick pots on a popular online store and excitedly placed an order because it was very cheap. She was very heartbroken when the pots arrived; what she ordered was nothing but a set of toy pots.
To save yourself from disappointment, wasted money, and last-minute panic, here are some tips to help you avoid the dreaded “what I ordered vs what I got” experience.
Be Clear with Your Order
If you want to avoid the “what I ordered vs what I got” disaster, clarity is essential. Vague instructions such as “make it look nice” or “surprise me” can result in big surprises, but not the good ones.
You’ve seen it on Instagram or TikTok where someone orders a birthday dress, says, “Just make it fine,” and ends up with an outfit that appears to have come from a costume shop.
The truth is that “something nice” means something different to different people.
To avoid the “what I ordered vs what I got” trend, send photos of what you want, specify sizes, colors, and materials (e.g., gold fabric, 4 yards), and say what you don’t want (e.g., no corset, no beading). Always confirm in writing; this way, you and the vendor are on the same page.
Because clear orders equal clean results.
Check Their Previous Work
Before making any payment, check the vendor’s track record. A professional vendor should have a portfolio, an Instagram page, or verified customer reviews that show recent work. Don’t be misled by a single outstanding job; look for consistency across projects, event types, and customer reviews.
A girl once ordered a cute cake online for her 16th birthday and got something disastrous.
Sometimes the signs are there: no real customer photos, only filtered stock images, and low prices.
To avoid what I ordered vs what I got, before paying a vendor, request their Instagram page or recent jobs, review tags, comments, and reviews, and be careful of perfect-looking pages without real reviews. If all of their work looks like it came from Pinterest and there are no real clients in sight, run.
In Nigeria, receipts speak louder than words.
You can avoid going through the trouble of what I ordered vs what I got by simply using the NotJustEvent platform, where you can see real images and reviews of vendors’ past jobs.
Ask the Right Questions
When booking a vendor in Nigeria, whether for décor, outfits, cakes, or party props, never assume your order will look exactly like the photos. To avoid disappointment, ask clarifying questions before confirming payment.
Imagine this: you want a dress you saw online, you send the picture to a tailor, and she takes your measurements. You leave without asking any questions concerning what the outcome could be.
These “what I ordered vs what I got” moments are common in Nigeria, not always because vendors are bad, but rather because expectations were not clearly communicated.
Don’t just send a photo and hope. Ask: “Will mine look exactly like this?, “What fabric/flavor/paint are you using?”, “Can I see a sketch or sample first?”
Budget Realistically
Let’s be honest: you can’t expect a Veekee James-worthy result on a shoestring budget. A dress made by Veekee James often requires luxury materials, skilled labor, and a professional touch.
Yet many Nigerian clients fall into the trap of requesting “something exactly like this” while offering only 10% of the real cost. Most of these disasters start from clients expecting champagne results on a zobo budget.
To avoid the “what I ordered vs what I got”:
- Request a breakdown: Ask your vendor to explain the actual cost of that trendy look.
- Prioritize key features: If you can’t afford everything, ask what parts you can keep within budget.
- Be truthful about your range: Good vendors always offer suitable alternatives rather than cutting corners.
If you want high-quality style, be prepared to pay for the vendor’s time, materials, and skill. If your budget is tight, request simpler but elegant alternatives, don’t force a Veekee James dream into a pure water pocket.
Request Progress Updates
Regular communication can help you avoid last-minute disappointments for customized items such as cakes, décor, or clothing.
Request progress photos or sketches once production begins. Kindly follow up 2-3 days before delivery, confirm delivery logistics, especially for delicate items such as cakes and balloon setups.
If only the girl who ordered a cake for her 16th birthday but ended up with a disastrous cake had requested progress updates, she wouldn’t have gotten such a disappointment on her big day.
Many “what I ordered vs what I got” could have been avoided if clients had requested updates sooner. Some vendors struggle with overbooking or rushed jobs; progress checks can help identify red flags ahead of time.
Get an Invoice or Order Summary
One of the most common mistakes Nigerian clients make when booking vendors online is relying solely on verbal agreements or DMs. When ordering a customized birthday cake, décor setup, or outfit, always request a written contract or a detailed order summary.
It should include:
- Agreed design or service details (sketches, photos, flavors, fabrics, or color codes).
- Delivery timeline
- Price and payment breakdown
- Highlight the deposit amount, balance payment, and any add-ons. Avoid last-minute “hidden charges.”
- Refund/cancellation terms
Don’t rely on vibes and DMs. Insist on a written order summary or mini contract that clearly outlines the above.
Conclusion
To avoid “what I ordered vs what I got,” be clear, be curious, and stay involved. A little extra attention up front can save your event, experience, and money.
Explore and normalize booking vendors on NotJustEvent, where you can choose from a wide range of credible and verified vendors with real images and reviews from clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 5 Tips to Avoid Buying Fake and Low-Quality Products Online
- Check reviews
- Check the return policy
- Investigate the seller
- Check product packaging
- Check product packaging
- What is what I ordered vs what I got?
What I ordered vs what I got” is a common expression, often used in online shopping contexts, that highlights the difference between the product as advertised or expected and the actual product received.
