How Needplug Buyer Protection and the Order Code Work

"Send your account number, I'll pay now." Then you wait. Sometimes the item arrives. Sometimes it is not what you saw in the photo. Sometimes the seller stops replying.

Many people in Nigeria have a story like this. It is why so many buyers are afraid to pay someone they found online, and why honest sellers struggle to win new customers.

Needplug buyer protection was built to fix this. Your money is safe until you get your item. Here is exactly how it works.

The short version

1. You pay through Needplug.
2. Needplug holds your money.
3. You collect your item, it is delivered to you, or the service is done.
4. You give the seller your order code.
5. Only then does the seller get paid.

If something goes wrong, you can ask for a refund.

Step by step: what happens to your money

1. You find what you want

Browse needplug.com, pick your area, and see sellers near you first. You don't need an account to browse. Check the seller's shop, read the item description, and look for the verified badge.

2. You choose pickup or delivery

Collect from the seller, or have the seller deliver to you where they offer delivery. Delivery is arranged by the seller, not by Needplug. The delivery fee is shown before you pay, and some sellers deliver free.

3. You see the full price before paying

Your total is:

• The item price
• Any delivery fee
• A small buyer protection fee

Everything is shown before you pay. No hidden charges.

4. You pay through Needplug

Sign in with your email or Google when you are ready. Then pay:

• Bank transfer for any amount
• Card for physical orders, bookings and tickets up to ₦50,000 (bigger orders use bank transfer)
• Card at any amount for digital products, including from abroad

Your money goes to Needplug, not straight to the seller. Needplug holds it while your order is in progress.

5. You get your order code

After you pay, you receive an order code for that order. Keep it safe. This code is what releases payment to the seller.

6. You receive your item or service

• Pickup: meet the seller and check the item.
• Delivery: check the item when it arrives.
• Service: wait until the job is done.

7. You give the seller your code

When you are happy, give the seller your order code. The seller enters it, and their money is sent to their bank.

The golden rule: don't share your code early

Your order code is like the key to the seller's payment. Only give it when:

• You have the item in your hands and it matches what you ordered, or
• The service has been done the way you agreed

If a seller asks for your code before you have your item, don't give it. A genuine seller will understand.

What if something goes wrong?

Sometimes things don't go to plan. The item may be wrong, damaged, or never arrive. Because Needplug holds your money while the order is in progress, you can ask for a refund instead of chasing a seller in your DMs.

Use the order chat to talk to the seller first; many problems are simple misunderstandings. If it can't be sorted, contact Needplug support.

Why buyer protection is good for sellers too

Buyer protection doesn't just help buyers. It helps honest sellers:

• New customers say yes faster, because they know their money is protected.
• No more "pay on delivery" stress. The buyer has already paid; the money is held until handover.
• Clear proof of a completed order. The order code shows the buyer received the item.
• Fewer arguments about delivery fees, because buyers see the fee before paying.

And selling on Needplug is free, with no subscription and no commission.

What "verified" means

Sellers on Needplug can confirm their identity with their NIN and a quick face check. Verified sellers carry a badge on their shop. Businesses can also verify their CAC registration.

Look for the badge before you buy. If a seller doesn't show it, they haven't completed verification.

Buyer protection for every kind of order

Buyer protection works across Needplug:

• Products from shops and people selling from home
• Bookings like cleaning, laundry, fumigation, hair, nails and beauty
• Event tickets (organisers are paid after the event)
• E-books and digital downloads

For cars, property and livestock you can arrange a viewing first and see what you are buying in person.

Smart buying tips

• Read the description. Check size, colour, condition (Brand new, Foreign used, Nigerian used or Refurbished) and what is included.
• Ask questions in the order chat. It keeps a record of what was agreed.
• Check the delivery fee and area before you pay.
• Inspect before you hand over your code. Try it on, switch it on, count the pieces.
• Pay only through Needplug. If a seller asks you to pay them directly outside Needplug, your payment is not protected.

Quick questions

Do I need an app?

No. Needplug works in any phone browser, and you can add it to your home screen.

Does Needplug deliver?

No. Sellers handle delivery, or you can pick up from them.

How much is the buyer protection fee?

It is a small fee, shown clearly at checkout before you pay.

Can I shop outside Lagos?

Yes. Needplug works anywhere in Nigeria.

Start shopping safely

Go to needplug.com, pick your area and find verified sellers near you. New to Needplug? Read what Needplug is and how it works.

Selling? Open your free shop at needplug.com/join and let buyer protection help you win new customers.