The Content Driver

They look so much alike, but way way way different… Reason I love to lay emphasis on genuine and quality spare parts. Now, not everyone can actually differentiate genuine from inferior. A client would have damaged his engine because of the type of oil filter that was previously used on his car, a 2023 Toyota LandCruiser… The previous oil filter would have gotten blocked and damaged and then spoilt the engine, in fact, it was only a matter of few more KMs. Now look at the pictures below.. One costs 4,000 Naira, one costs 40,000 Naira.. Here are the challenges.. 1) If you tell a client Oil Filter is 40,000 Naira with the present situation of the country, won’t they think you’re scamming them? Also, how many clients can truly afford genuine and quality spare parts?? 2) How many mechanics will truly buy the 40,000 Naira Oil Filter after collecting money for the one they charged for? this brings distrust from clients to artisans and it is rampant, because truly, car users cannot differentiate. 3) Some artisans will charge that 40,000 Naira for the Oil Filter, and truly buy 40,000 Naira worth of oil Filter, but then, the spare parts dealer or “supplier” sends or delivers the one of 4,000 Naira. In this instance, the Mechanic is innocent but at the end of the day, how do you prove yourself to be innocent and not that you connived with the seller? It may also be the fault of the mechanic because he should be able to identify quality from inferior 4) Some Mechanics have never seen the 40,000 Naira oil Filter so they keep recommending/using that of 4,000 Naira, infact, there’s another one that sells for as low as 2,000/2,500 Naira so they keep recommending the 4,000 Naira filter, it is not their fault and they are doing good jobs innocently, they just don’t seem to know more than what they already do. So many issues, and challenges and this is not limited to Oil Filter alone, but other spare parts related to cars. If/Once you find a trusted, experienced, skilled Mechanic/Artisan with some little bits of exposures, that can identify quality parts and gives professional takes without being compromised, hold him/her tight!!! We are not plenty but we exist.