It is no longer news that consumers usually take to social media, especially Twitter, whenever they are not satisfied with a brand, product or services and all the producer do is to apologise or provide details needed.
But itel Nigeria broke the jinx as it took to Twitter to hit back at one of the social media users that had ‘unfairly’ criticized one of its mobile devices.
A twitter user, Mr. Trash tweeted with the handle, @assertive_boy, mocked Tecno and itel phones while describing a fictional robbery scene. He tweeted, “When a thief sees you holding a Techno or Itel phone” using a picture portraying rejection or unpleasant look.
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When a thief sees you holding a Techno or Itel phone. pic.twitter.com/k1GnyIkVFy
— Lawyer🇺🇬 (@assertive_boy) October 16, 2019
Despite the fact that the tweet was 9-days old, it didn’t go down well with itel Nigeria, as the phone maker didn’t follow the corporate path of ‘customers are Kings’ approach.
While the other phone maker, Tecno, ignored Mr. Trash’s tweet, itel responded nine days later, stating, “You tweet just like your handle.”
You tweet just like your handle. https://t.co/skrCFCjvB2
— itel (@itelNigeria) October 24, 2019
This response has since garnered over ‘4000 retweets’ and over ‘7000 likes’ and Itel replied to tweets that supported its response with a happy smiley.
Professional or unprofessional?
For some Nigerians, itel’s response was uncalled for, regardless of the message Mr. Trash was trying to convey with his tweet. According to one Temi, who tweeted via the handle, @Daniel0mole, itel’s response was unprofessional.
“This an IT company not an influencer’s account. You may not understand now but you will later in life.”
That’s not professional tho.
— Jet Daniel 🛩️ (@LaceVine) October 24, 2019
Lol. That's where most you lag. You don't know the type of social accounts for play and professionalism. Everything is play to you.
— Jet Daniel 🛩️ (@LaceVine) October 25, 2019
Keep playing.
— Jet Daniel 🛩️ (@LaceVine) October 25, 2019
This an IT company not an influencer's account. You may not understand now but you will later in life.
— Jet Daniel 🛩️ (@LaceVine) October 25, 2019
If that's how it is, @Apple and @Samsung would be clowning here too.
— Jet Daniel 🛩️ (@LaceVine) October 25, 2019
Another user, @chuubiyo, also argued that the path taken by itel was not professional as well, stating that the comment had affected a potential customer.
Not very professional of you.
— Ali (@chuubiyo) October 25, 2019
Na potential customer them pursue like that so now
— Ali (@chuubiyo) October 25, 2019
Also, a Twitter user, The Mayor, who tweeted with handle, @___Debonai, said he didn’t know corporate social media account mocked people as well.
😭 I didn’t know corporate accounts now give gbas gbos
— ‘Mega🦅 (@___Debonair) October 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/sweet_zaddy/status/1187602778123915264
Some supported Mr. Trash’s tweet
While reacting to itel’s response to Mr. Trash, some users think he’s spot on, stating that the phone had its fault.
But honestly your phone no dey ok kankan
— Tomiwa🖤 (@theajibola) October 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/IamMarthaKay/status/1187679039970041856
Itel clapping back hard!! if only they put this commitment to making quality phones and developing brand image 😂😂
— BELISARIVS (@Beli_Stratigos) October 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/wizchytech/status/1187694557435174912
Supporters of itel
While some disagreed with itel’s response, others felt there’s nothing unprofessional about it.
My chest! I felt that😭😭
I have an @itelMobileNG phone so, thanks for defending my honour. 🤗🤗💟💜
— Cai (@HRHPrincessCai) October 25, 2019
Phonism is a problem here.
I wonder who set the standard for determining what an acceptable brand of phone to use is.
Live and let live.— Count Olaf (@lexisrenis) October 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/UkaegbuGreatJnr/status/1187631532741222400
Have you met other Tech company handles?😂 Dr brand, tesla, nzxt, Elon Musk, this one na play
— Paul ||🇧🇯|| 🇳🇬 product manager (@dehindrixxx) October 25, 2019
I am a proud itel A32F user, it does the job and serve its purpose.
— DTruthMustBeTold (@eyitt) October 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/dammy_tunez/status/1187681313026916352
Who’s is behind this handle deserves a PhD in savagery
— PortHarcourt Sailor (@GodsgreatG) October 25, 2019
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He's thinking like his stature
— A (@LeomOfThings) October 24, 2019
Now this is what am talking about🤣🤣
— Dann_essy 20:10:2020 (@Dann_10) October 25, 2019
Martha u can tweet better than this …..
I hold one of those phones and guess wat?????
My calculator has taken me places— Diclan Rice's boo 😍😍🥰 (@EMadrine) October 25, 2019
Dead 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Who’s managing this account,you’re a savage!— D-WONDA (@DWonda_official) October 25, 2019
Itel.. Painted every were RED. RED is the color. Itel is red
— Abuggi!! God of Solana (@Abuggi_) October 25, 2019
Mr. Trash however responded to itel’s clapback, stating he was just making known his opinion, “That was just my opinion.”
That was just my opinion.🤣
— Lawyer🇺🇬 (@assertive_boy) October 25, 2019
