Let me be honest with you: the phone business will feed you if you take it seriously. But here’s the catch — many people rush in, do one or two things wrong, and before you know it, they’ve given up. Some even start saying, “This business no dey work.”
The truth is, the phone business works. What doesn’t work are the mistakes people keep repeating. And if you avoid them, you’ll save yourself plenty wahala.
I’ve been there. I’ve made these mistakes myself, lost money, annoyed customers, and even thought of quitting at some point. That’s why I’m writing this, so you won’t fall into the same traps.
Let’s break them down one by one.
Mistake 1: Jumping in Without a Clear Path
A lot of people just “enter” the phone business blindly. One day they’re selling accessories, tomorrow they’re trying to flip phones, next week they’re pricing soldering irons because they think repair is where the money is.
The result? Confusion. Burnout. Loss.
The smarter way is to start with a clear focus. For example, if you’re starting with accessories, focus on fast-moving items first. If you’re learning repairs, master the basics before you even think about IC replacement.
That’s exactly why I created the Phone Repair Business School. Inside, I don’t just show you how to repair; I show you how to structure your journey so you don’t waste years jumping around.
📌 Pro Secret: The people who grow fastest in this industry are those who start with one entry point (say, repairs or accessories) and then expand step by step into the other areas.
Mistake 2: Selling Only Fancy Accessories (Like Pouches)
This one is funny because I see it everywhere. Somebody wants to “start small” so they go and buy plenty phone pouches, thinking people will rush them.
But here’s the bitter truth: pouches will frustrate you. Why? Because they are phone-specific. That means if you only have Samsung A12 pouches and the customer brings iPhone XR, you’ve lost the sale.
The accessories that move the most — and bring money daily — are chargers, screen guards, earpieces or earpod, and power banks. Everybody needs them.
So, if you must sell pouches, stock widely. Be that shop where people know they’ll always find their phone model. Otherwise, keep it simple with universal, high-demand items.
I broke this down fully in my guide “How to Start a Phone Accessories Business in Nigeria” (I’ll link it once it’s live). Make sure you check it out.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Skills (Depending Only on Buying and Selling)
Look, buying and selling is sweet, no doubt. But if that’s all you do, you’re leaving serious money on the table.
I’ve seen accessory sellers who don’t even know how to change a screen protector properly. That’s easy money gone.
Learning repair is your insurance in this business. Phones will always spoil. Customers will always need someone to fix them.
That’s why I keep saying: learn a skill inside the phone business. And the good news? You don’t need to start with the scary stuff like IC replacement. With the right training, you can start with simple, profitable repairs like charging ports, batteries, and screen replacements.
That’s exactly what we teach inside Phone Repair Business School. By the time you finish, you’ll be able to repair confidently and make back your course investment in weeks.
Mistake 4: Falling for Fake or Low-Quality Products
Nigeria is flooded with fake accessories. And I get it — the temptation is strong. A charger is ₦500 in the market, you mark it up and make quick money.
But trust me, it will spoil fast, and your name will spoil along with it. Customers don’t forgive when you sell them rubbish.
You will learn this the hard way when a customer bring back a charger that stop working after just two days. You’ll have to refund and apologize. It’ll hurt your pocket, but it’ll save your name.
📌 Quick Tip: Always test accessories yourself before selling. Use them. See how long they last. Your reputation is your biggest asset. And don’t forget to always from reliable supplier and go for reputable products only.
Mistake 5: Poor Marketing
This one is huge. Some people set up shop, sit down, and wait for customers. Sorry, but gone are those days.
If you’re not marketing — both offline and online — you’re invisible.
Online especially. Platforms like Facebook Timeline, Status and Marketplace, WhatsApp Status, Instagram and even TikTok product videos are killing it right now. I’ve seen people sell out just by making funny but smart TikTok clips of their products.
That’s why I created a guide called “How to Post Your Way to Phone Sales”. It’s a step-by-step ebook where I show you what to post, how to post, and how to turn likes into sales. Don’t sleep on this — it’s the easiest way to double your sales without opening a new shop.
Mistake 6: Not Building Trust When Selling Used Phones
Used phone business is sweet money, but it’s also full of landmines. Many new sellers destroy their reputation by selling a “clean” iPhone today, and tomorrow the buyer comes back complaining about battery health or screen issue.
The customer loses trust, spreads your name badly, and you’re finished.
Selling used phones is not just about making money; it’s about trust. That’s why I wrote another ebook “How to Make Money Selling Used Phones Without Capital” — it’s the full playbook on how to broker phones safely, build trust, and still make profit without touching your own cash.
If you’re thinking of entering this side of the business, please, don’t do it blindly.
Mistake 7: Pricing Confusion (Too Cheap or Too Expensive)
Here’s a story. A customer once brought me a phone with a screen sticking out. Honestly, I didn’t even need to change the screen — I just clipped it back.
Normally, that kind of job shouldn’t even cost much. But the customer was expecting a full screen replacement, and was ready to pay ₦18,000. I had a choice: take the full money and say nothing… or be honest.
I told him the truth, clipped it back, and he paid me a half amount. Later, he came back with two more repairs — and referrals.
📌 Pro Secret: Sometimes charging less today brings you more tomorrow. Other times, you need to stand firm and not underprice your work. The key is to find balance.
This is one area I explain deeply in the Phone Repair Business Course — how to price your repairs fairly and still make good profit.
Wrapping Up
Mistakes are part of every business, but in the phone business, the wrong move can finish you fast. The good news? Every mistake I’ve listed here is avoidable if you start with the right knowledge.
That’s why I’m big on teaching, writing ebooks, and running my online school. I don’t want you to waste 2 years making the same blunders I made.
So here’s what you should do next:
If you’re interested in repairs, check out the Phone Repair Business School.
It comes with all the aforementioned ebooks like “How to Make Money Selling Used Phones Without Capital.” And if you’re struggling with marketing, don’t sleep on “How to Post Your Way to Phone Sales.”
These two books and others will be given to you for FREE when you sign up for the Phone Repair Business School.
Avoid mistakes, and the phone business will reward you. Trust me, I’m living proof.