When the display prices of main cabin flights were showing higher than business/first on some airlines, that's when I knew that something had broken. Now it's Jentle January or Jejune June until further notice.
I was a Detty December skeptic, so much so that when I got a chance to take time off to visit Naija this year, after being away for over a decade, I sacrificed Thanksgiving holiday to avoid that busy December visit.
But mahn, Lagos close to December was fun and businesses are making a killing. I’d so much hate for them to lose that to disorganized greed. One example, we rented a car, it was advertised as a 2023 model. What we got was a battered 2016 interior inside a shiny 2023 body? Who does that?? AC was shitty, the air filter did zero against Lagos fumes. Got them to replace twice with little improvement. The thing cost the same as renting from Avis. Kmt!
It came with a driver sha who claimed he’s paid what I calculated as close to 15% of our cost. So much of that profit isn’t going to labor, which remains very cheap in Nigeria. I hope they don’t ruin a good thing.
Amazing. I think this may be the new ridiculous thing of "upgrading" cars (search for Bebex Global Company on instagram). For the life of me, I have no idea how that stuff is legal but its all done very openly. So....
I really enjoyed reading this. Only last week, I had a Lagos hotel cancel a reservation last-minute, with the receptionist hinting they had done so to secure a group booking from partygoers who offered to pay more. He seemed confused when I pointed out that such behaviour would result in their losing me as a customer forever.
As you say, there is something deeper at work in Nigeria. “Any new opportunity, however promising, quickly collapses into a frenzy that ensures its own demise.”
Yeah, the part about cancelling bookings is the worst for me. Booking early to save money is standard practice elsewhere and is supposed to be a win win for everyone - the hotel gets zero interest funds and the customer gets peace of mind and some savings. If Nigeria is now turning this on its head, then that is really terrible and not something anyone should accept as normal behaviour.
When the display prices of main cabin flights were showing higher than business/first on some airlines, that's when I knew that something had broken. Now it's Jentle January or Jejune June until further notice.
I’m all for Jejune June 😂😂
I was a Detty December skeptic, so much so that when I got a chance to take time off to visit Naija this year, after being away for over a decade, I sacrificed Thanksgiving holiday to avoid that busy December visit.
But mahn, Lagos close to December was fun and businesses are making a killing. I’d so much hate for them to lose that to disorganized greed. One example, we rented a car, it was advertised as a 2023 model. What we got was a battered 2016 interior inside a shiny 2023 body? Who does that?? AC was shitty, the air filter did zero against Lagos fumes. Got them to replace twice with little improvement. The thing cost the same as renting from Avis. Kmt!
It came with a driver sha who claimed he’s paid what I calculated as close to 15% of our cost. So much of that profit isn’t going to labor, which remains very cheap in Nigeria. I hope they don’t ruin a good thing.
Amazing. I think this may be the new ridiculous thing of "upgrading" cars (search for Bebex Global Company on instagram). For the life of me, I have no idea how that stuff is legal but its all done very openly. So....
Yes that’s the word they used! “Upgraded” I blame myself for not researching the meaning before paying. I’ll go check Bebex.
I really enjoyed reading this. Only last week, I had a Lagos hotel cancel a reservation last-minute, with the receptionist hinting they had done so to secure a group booking from partygoers who offered to pay more. He seemed confused when I pointed out that such behaviour would result in their losing me as a customer forever.
As you say, there is something deeper at work in Nigeria. “Any new opportunity, however promising, quickly collapses into a frenzy that ensures its own demise.”
Yeah, the part about cancelling bookings is the worst for me. Booking early to save money is standard practice elsewhere and is supposed to be a win win for everyone - the hotel gets zero interest funds and the customer gets peace of mind and some savings. If Nigeria is now turning this on its head, then that is really terrible and not something anyone should accept as normal behaviour.