
The world of online shopping has made life easier for millions, but it has also created room for countless stories of frustration, fraud, and poor customer service. Recently, reality TV star and former Big Brother Naija housemate, Queen Mercy Atang, popularly known as Queen, took to social media to share her bitter encounter with an online vendor, cautioning fans and online buyers to be more discerning about who they do business with. Her candid outburst has since sparked conversations about the rising cases of vendor misconduct, the risks associated with unverified sellers, and the emotional toll it takes on customers.
Queen, who is known for her outspoken nature and vibrant personality, issued a stern warning to her followers, urging them to immediately cut ties with any vendor who shows signs of rudeness, harshness, or unprofessional behavior during transactions. According to her, such encounters rarely end well, and her own experience is a painful example of how disrespect and disregard from sellers can escalate into outright neglect and financial loss.
The reality star narrated how her usual experience of ordering through her verified Instagram account had always been smooth, but things quickly went south the moment she decided to try placing an order using a different, less-known account. She explained that she had chosen to order directly via WhatsApp, a platform where many vendors conduct their business, but instead of the seamless process she was accustomed to, she was met with unnecessary drama, delay, and eventually, silence.
“Whenever I use my IG account to order, things are always smooth. But the moment I try with a new or unknown account, or order directly from WhatsApp, wahala starts,” she lamented. Queen revealed that up until the time she shared her frustration online, she had not even received her delivery, and what made matters worse was the fact that the vendor stopped responding altogether. This left her not just annoyed, but deeply disappointed at the lack of accountability and customer respect.
Her post struck a chord with many who have faced similar issues. Social media users quickly flooded the comments section with their own tales of frustration with vendors who either vanished after receiving payments, delivered substandard products, or outrightly insulted customers when questioned about delays or inconsistencies. Some pointed out that the culture of impunity among certain online vendors has persisted because customers often let things slide rather than pursue legal or public action.
Queen’s post also sheds light on the psychology of online shopping. For many buyers, especially celebrities or influencers, conducting business from their main verified accounts often ensures preferential treatment. Vendors are usually eager to please high-profile customers for visibility and positive feedback. However, when the same person uses an account that does not immediately reveal their identity, the treatment is often starkly different, ranging from negligence to outright hostility. Queen’s decision to use another account, in hindsight, exposed her to the reality that many everyday buyers experience.
This revelation has sparked broader conversations on trust, professionalism, and ethics in Nigeria’s growing e-commerce industry. While online shopping has undoubtedly boomed over the years, particularly through Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok vendors, the system remains largely unregulated. With no central authority to monitor business practices, customers are often left at the mercy of vendors, relying only on personal judgment, reviews, and word-of-mouth recommendations to determine who is trustworthy.
Queen’s advice, though simple, carries weight: “If a vendor is a bit harsh or rude, please don’t order from them. It won’t end well.” Her words highlight the importance of intuition and red flags in online dealings. Many customers admit that they have ignored initial signs of arrogance or hostility from sellers simply because they desperately wanted the product or believed things would get better after payment. Unfortunately, as Queen emphasized, such decisions often lead to regret.
Her rant also reflects the emotional rollercoaster of dealing with online businesses. The disappointment of expecting a delivery, the anxiety of being ignored, and the helplessness that comes with losing money can be overwhelming. Queen, in her own words, admitted that she was too upset to even cry, underscoring how emotionally draining such experiences can be, even for someone in the public eye.
The incident has also reignited calls for stricter policies on online vendors. Advocates argue that there should be more structured verification systems, digital receipts, and accountability measures to protect customers. Others believe that platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp, which serve as the primary hubs for these transactions, should do more to weed out fraudulent or unprofessional sellers. Until such systems are in place, celebrities like Queen and everyday customers alike remain vulnerable to poor practices.
Meanwhile, Queen’s followers have praised her for using her platform to speak up, noting that many victims of vendor misconduct remain silent out of fear of backlash or embarrassment. By sharing her ordeal, she has given voice to a widespread but often ignored issue. Some even suggested that celebrities should band together to create a list of reliable vendors and blacklist those with a history of misconduct.
Interestingly, Queen’s ordeal also highlights the cultural dynamics of customer service in Nigeria. While many vendors are professional and respectful, there is a growing trend of sellers adopting a take-it-or-leave-it attitude, sometimes even threatening customers who complain. This lack of empathy and patience erodes trust and discourages potential buyers from shopping online, forcing them to stick to more traditional and safer methods.
For Queen, this experience may serve as a turning point. While she may return to using her verified Instagram account to ensure smooth transactions, her advice to her fans is clear: never overlook the signs of disrespect. A rude tone, delayed responses, or dismissive behavior are often precursors to bigger problems down the line. As she put it bluntly, “You won’t like how it ends.”
In a world where convenience often comes at the cost of risk, Queen’s cautionary tale is a timely reminder to tread carefully in the digital marketplace. While online vendors offer variety, accessibility, and sometimes cheaper prices, the true cost of dealing with unprofessional sellers can be far greater than the money spent—it can take a toll on one’s peace of mind, emotions, and trust.
Her story continues to trend, sparking heated debates on social media, with many echoing her frustration and others sharing survival tips for navigating the murky waters of online shopping. Whether her warning will lead to lasting change in customer-vendor relationships remains to be seen, but for now, her voice has added weight to a growing chorus demanding respect, accountability, and fairness in Nigeria’s online business space.
Queen’s bitter experience may have ended without her delivery and with unanswered chats, but the larger impact is already unfolding. She has reminded thousands of Nigerians to listen to their instincts, trust their observations, and above all, never tolerate rudeness in business transactions. Because as she learned firsthand, ignoring those red flags almost never ends well.