Quickteller: A Blessing or a Burden for Nigerians?
By Temitope Ojo
If you’ve lived in Nigeria long enough, you know how messy managing payments can be. From buying airtime to paying NEPA bills (or PHCN, as they now call it), the struggle is real. That’s where platforms like Quickteller come in. But is Quickteller really the redeemer it claims to be? Let me break it down for you.
What is Quickteller?
Quickteller is a digital platform that offers services like airtime recharge, funds transfer, bill payments, and even loans. It’s owned by Interswitch, a company that’s been around for a while in Nigeria’s fintech space. You can access Quickteller through their website, mobile app, or even at agent locations called Quickteller Paypoints.
On paper, it sounds like the perfect solution for anyone who wants to avoid the stress of queuing at banks or dealing with unreliable POS agents. But as we all know, what’s on paper and what happens in real life are often two different things.
The Good Stuff
Let’s start with what Quickteller gets right.
Convenience
Quickteller makes it easy to handle multiple transactions in one place. Whether you’re buying airtime, paying DSTV bills, or transferring money to someone in another state, it’s all just a few clicks away. I’ve personally used it to pay for my internet subscription, and it was faster than waiting for my service provider’s website to load.
Wide Range of Services
From utility bills to school fees, Quickteller covers a lot of ground. They even have a feature for betting deposits, which is a big deal for many Nigerians who enjoy sports betting.
Accessibility
The platform is available on both mobile and desktop, and they’ve even got agent locations for people who aren’t tech-savvy or don’t have smartphones. This inclusivity is commendable, especially in a country where not everyone has access to the latest gadgets.
Quickteller Loans
If you’re ever in a tight spot financially, Quickteller offers small loans. While I haven’t used this feature myself, I’ve heard mixed reviews. Some people swear by it, saying it’s a lifesaver, while others complain about the high interest rates.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
Now, let’s talk about the wahala.
Hidden Charges
One of my biggest issues with Quickteller is the hidden charges. You’ll think you’re paying N5,000 for something, only to see an extra N100 or N200 deducted as “convenience fee.” I mean, what’s convenient about paying more than you planned? It’s like they’re trying to tax you for breathing.
Customer Service
If you ever run into a problem, good luck getting it resolved quickly. Their customer service is slow and sometimes unresponsive. I once had an issue where my transaction failed, but the money was still deducted from my account. It took almost two weeks and countless emails to get a refund. By then, I had already borrowed money to sort out what I needed.
App Glitches
The Quickteller app is not as “improved” as they claim. It crashes occasionally, and sometimes transactions don’t go through even when you have enough funds. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re in a hurry.
Security Concerns
While Quickteller claims to be safe and secure, I’ve heard stories of people’s accounts being hacked. Whether this is due to weak passwords or flaws in their system, it’s something they need to address urgently. In a country like Nigeria, where cybercrime is on the rise, you can’t afford to take chances with people’s money.
The Human Angle
Let me share a personal story. Last December, I was trying to send money to my younger brother in Enugu for Christmas shopping. I used Quickteller because I thought it would be faster than going to the bank. The transaction failed, but the money was deducted from my account. I called their customer service, and they told me to “exercise patience.” Patience ke? It was Christmas Eve, and my brother was stranded. I ended up using another platform to send the money, and it took almost a month to get my refund from Quickteller.
That experience left a sour taste in my mouth. It’s one thing to have technical issues; it’s another thing entirely to handle them poorly.
Room for Improvement
Quickteller has potential, no doubt. But they need to fix a few things to truly win the trust of Nigerians:
Transparency
Be upfront about all charges. Nigerians are tired of hidden fees. If you’re going to charge a convenience fee, let us know before we proceed with the transaction.
Better Customer Support
Invest in a more responsive customer service team. People shouldn’t have to wait weeks to resolve issues.
App Stability
Fix the glitches and crashes. A payment app should be reliable, not a source of stress.
Enhanced Security
Strengthen your security measures to protect users from fraud and hacking.
Quickteller is convenient and offers a wide range of services, but the hidden charges, poor customer service, and app glitches make it hard to fully trust them.
Would I recommend Quickteller? Yes, but with caution. If you’re using it for small, everyday transactions, it’s fine. But for anything major, you might want to have a backup plan.
At the end of the day, Quickteller is a reflection of the Nigerian fintech space—full of promise but still a work in progress. What’s your experience with Quickteller? Let’s talk about it.