“Please If You Own a Business, Do Better” – Cynthia Obi-Uchendu Slams Online Vendor Over Poor Customer Service

Nigerian businesswoman and influencer Cynthia Obi-Uchendu has sparked conversation online after publicly criticizing an online vendor for what she described as poor customer service. Taking to her Instagram story, the wife of popular media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu didn’t hold back as she recounted her frustrating experience with a vendor who left her to calculate her order total herself—a move she found both unprofessional and inconsiderate.

Cynthia, who is also known for her no-nonsense attitude and emphasis on excellence in entrepreneurship, expressed her disappointment in a series of Instagram posts that have since gone viral. In one of the posts, she wrote: “Some Instagram vendors and their customer service. I select a few items and ask for the total cost with delivery. Instead of calculating and sending me the full amount, they expect me to add it myself and make payment.”

In another part of her rant, she added, “Isn’t it the job of the seller to give the total amount of what I’m buying? Or am I running mad? Please if you own a business, do better.” Her tone was firm, expressing clear dissatisfaction with the experience. And while some might say it was just a minor inconvenience, Cynthia’s message struck a chord with many Nigerians who echoed her sentiments about the decline in customer service among small businesses, especially those operating on Instagram and other social platforms.

The post quickly gained traction, igniting a broader conversation about professionalism and customer experience in the Nigerian business landscape. Many social media users sided with Cynthia, sharing their own experiences with online vendors who failed to provide basic services like prompt responses, organized pricing, or proper invoicing.

One user commented, “You’ll message some vendors, and they’ll take hours or days to reply. When they do, they just drop prices without even a greeting. If you ask too many questions, they block you or get rude.” Another person added, “I once asked for the price of three items, and the vendor told me to use my calculator. I was shocked. Are we not supposed to be encouraging business growth with good customer service?”

For many Nigerians, buying online has become the norm. But with the convenience has come a wave of new complaints—from delays in delivery to wrong orders, poor communication, and in cases like Cynthia’s, a lack of basic courtesy or service expectations. In her story, she stressed that it wasn’t just about the money, but about the respect that should come with spending hard-earned income. “Clearly things are tough for everyone,” she wrote. “If I’m spending my hard-earned money, no matter how small, I expect quality service.”

What stood out in Cynthia’s callout was not just her dissatisfaction, but the larger point she made about the standard of business in Nigeria. Many small business owners are driven by passion and entrepreneurship, but often overlook the core foundation of customer retention—service. While creativity, product quality, and pricing are important, a lack of professionalism and communication can easily ruin the reputation of any vendor, no matter how good their goods may be.

Her posts prompted reflection from even other business owners, with some admitting that they needed to do better in the way they interacted with customers. A few vendors responded in the comments section with messages of support and a willingness to improve. “She’s right. Sometimes we forget that every customer matters,” one vendor confessed. “I’ll definitely be more intentional going forward.”

Cynthia’s viral post is a timely reminder that as the entrepreneurial scene in Nigeria grows, so too should the emphasis on service delivery. In a digital age where competition is just a swipe away, customer experience often determines whether a buyer will return—or never come back again.

Her message also underscores a hard truth that many customers face daily: small businesses sometimes feel entitled to customers’ money simply because they offer a product. But in a world where choices are endless, the way a business treats a customer can be the only thing that sets it apart from the rest. A simple gesture like calculating the total cost of items, responding politely, or thanking a buyer can turn a one-time shopper into a loyal client.

This is not the first time a public figure has raised concerns about the way business is done online. Over the past few years, several celebrities and influencers have voiced their frustrations about poor service, fake products, ghosting after payment, and unprofessionalism. These public complaints usually lead to waves of accountability, with some vendors adjusting and others defending their actions or making excuses.

But Cynthia’s message stood out for its raw honesty and the broader call to action. She didn’t just call out a single vendor—she addressed a larger issue affecting the online shopping culture in Nigeria. Her words, “Please, if you own a business, do better,” weren’t just for the person she interacted with, but for every business owner who might be losing customers unknowingly due to small acts of carelessness.

As her story continues to circulate online, it’s becoming more than just a rant. It’s a wake-up call to vendors, especially those who sell on Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok, to reassess their customer service strategies. In a market flooded with options, customers are becoming less tolerant of sloppiness and more demanding of respect and value for their money.

For now, Cynthia’s message is loud and clear: Nigerian entrepreneurs must rise to the occasion. It’s not enough to sell a product; selling it well matters just as much. And for any business looking to grow and succeed in today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, good customer service is not optional—it’s essential.