Not when you are in a monopoly situation? The conspiracy theorist will argue that Maxis is employing a bit of reverse psychology on the consumer and by creating a waiting list, it helps with the balance sheet as well? No idea, just speculation

However, I think that there is a high probability that their JIT is screwed up.....

All the more reason why they do not have to resort to any delaying tactics or psychology of any kind. I believe and dare say quite fervently that I am not too far removed from the fact.

To add on, you can imagine how much RM200 per booking multiply by the number who did book can add up to in their coffer if they only have to pay for the stock 2 months later. That my friends is, I believe, the reason for the consumers having to wait for that duration or thereabouts.

i also had enough tolerant with the issue handling of my iPhone booking.
So i sent email to Maxis Customer Care, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission(SKMM aka MCMC), Consumers Association Of Subang & Shah Alam, Selangor (CASSA), Sin Chew opinion mail box.
The content of the email as below

Hi,

My name is {Yo** Se*n}. I’m a {Max*$} Postpaid Subscriber started September 2009, before this I was a {Hotli**} Prepaid Subscriber for about 8-9 years. I had made a decision switch to postpaid subscription with {Max*$} instead of other Telco Operator like {D*g*} (same rate within & without same network), {Celco*}; mostly because I wish to order the iPhone which only applicable thru {Max*$}.

So before I committed myself into a contract of 12 or 24 months in order to own the iPhone, I try out the {Max*$} {Valu* P**S 50 plan}, to ensure there isn’t much unwanted expenses occurred for the monthly commitment since before this I’m comfortable with the higher rate charges using {Hotli**} Prepaid.

Then I had my 1st postpaid bill, audited, not much issue, just have notice there isn’t much information on how’s the rate for all type of usage charges using this plan, for example, the data usage rate, the video call rate etc. The brochure not stated also, not even the website. [I attached few screen capture from web site].

After that, I started to survey which contract plan provided to order iPhone most suitable to my usage. Then finally I decided to choose {iDat* 3} which cost RM99/month, and I can order the iPhone 3GS 16GB at price RM1990 with 12 months contract (don’t wish to have the 24 months contract due to I found out some usage rate from {Max*$} plan is higher compare to other telco, having 24 months of contract will cause myself cannot have flexibilities on change to most cost savings plan according my usage. Ok, now some questions might raised for my decision like why don’t I just purchase outright at RRP price, well, {Max*$} just have to say sorry for stopping the outright purchase). Hence, I placed my RM200 deposit to confirm my order at {Aeo* Bukit Tinggi} MEP (Maxis Exclusive Partner) Center on 14 October 2009, which the Customer Service there mentioned I’ll be able to get my iPhone in 3-4 weeks. [Attached screen capture for reference].

Until today 19 November 2009, after 5 weeks, I still cannot get my iPhone ready for pickup. I had been attend back to the MEP Center where I placed the order for few times, asked the Customer Service, they just responded there is no stock come in for them to distribute to pre-book customer.

Well at first I’m ok with the explanation, because many customer also in waiting list. But last 2 weeks, I already get frustrated with the handling of this issue, because there is an event happened on {Pavili** Max*$ Center} where some customer just walk in and make order then sign one of the contract plan provided, they able to get their iPhone on the spot. Then last week happened at {M*d Vall**} which having Road Show, customer able to get the iPhone on the spot or within 1-2 days. Although the mentioned location soon out of stock within 1-2 days due to many people made purchase.

The point is, whether this type of sales strategy fair to those customer that paid deposit up front, for my case, RM200 for 5 weeks waiting. And I cannot cancel the order with the MEP, the deposit cannot be refunded and cannot be put into my Postpaid account as advance payment for the bill. So when I got the news I cannot go to above location to get the iPhone on the spot, taken this action will cause me lost RM200 deposit, and also cause me lost opportunity getting the iPhone earlier when there is ready stock at other location. The distribution process from {Max*$} is not fair, the sales strategy also not fair, which certain places got iPhone stock without customer made deposit order, and there able to get sales by having customer get the iPhone on the spot. The Term And Condition stated is so unfair for the above case. [Attached screen capture from the Term And Condition document for pre-booking iPhone 3GS].

I’m not satisfy with the explanation I received after those promotion sales held at {Pavili** & M*d Vall**}. I’m not sure how about other customer that also place deposit on October 2009 but haven receive their iPhone until now.

Customer make deposit for the sales of goods should always have the priority to receive the goods in agree date, the delay of the delivery will let the buyer have compensation in the manner of discount on existing order or other benefit to compensate the lost of due date comply. Does consumer like me or other who met the same situation have the above mentioned stuff, NO, so this is not a FAIR TRADE. Especially when happened other non pre-book customer able to get their goods on the spot at other location, where I believe the distribution center hub from only one source. Please correct me if I’m wrong, cause there is no publicity information make available.


Legend
{*} - some character been masked
[attached] - some screen shot attached is not available here for now because showing logo, let me edit 1st.

This is ridiculous, we made our booking here waiting ages and other people getting their iphones on the spot from promo? and still claim no stock?

not jus midvalley and pavilion i heard maxis roadshow at TPM and coming soon IBM... not sure can buy on the spot or not... but seem that they giv away our chances to get the phone earlier to others... shame on thm maxis!!!

While i think it is maxis's right to decide how long the waiting period can be and how they want to mess with their customers, the non-refundable deposit policy(and you cant transfer this booking from MEP to maxis center which was offering on-the-spot promos) is really unfair to the consumers especially many ppl has been promised orally with 1-2 weeks waiting period by the salespersons/MEP.

@yosen2000
Yours would be a good case to see how any of the parties you addressed your grievance to respond. Please do post any replies from them so that invested individuals in the same situation will know their next course of action.

thats why i said Ma*** is not worth for us to sign up , somemore the rate also higher compare to other operator...which i plan to sign up my iphone plan for juz 1 year and i will quite using ma*** anymore forever !!!!!

If there is no love lost between you and Maxis, why don't you buy outright the iPhone from an alternative source and don't even need to sign up a contract which you have to pay for in any event.

Im curious...

two statements:
1. not allowing outright purchase of the iphone because MAXIS has exclusive rights to sell it.
2. also the requirement to be tied to a minimum 12 month contract with NO OTHER OPTION in order to purchase the iphone.

is that even... legal? or a breach in consumer rights? (lol but then again our rights are a load of rubbish, hello isa)
because if it is a violation of our god given constitutional rights then there's someone i'd definitely want to be speaking to right now.
like a lawyer lol. (im half kidding. i mean its worth a shot)

and besides why cant i register, book and wait in line like the rest, maybe even wait for 2-3 maybe even FOUR months like some of you, and buy the iphone?
MAXIS says i cant do that because:
1. i want to have nothing to do with the contracts and because
2. i want an outright purchase of the iphone.

and also because there's not enough stock. but like i said, i can just book and wait for it MONTHS AND MONTHS according to the numbering on the waiting list. and if i have to wait even a few years so be it. but what im saying is why cant i do just that?

is this not indirect discrimination? especially for the hotlink people?
hmm just a thought.

forumers, i'd like to hear your opinions regarding this maxis registration-booking-buying issue.
and NO im not looking for any fights/trouble please. you could call this a 'cultural movement' like the renaissance LOL but all i really want is some intellectual feedback.

type away!

maxis just controling the market...he are the only and the right distributor for iphone..so think if he keep continue do like this..demand high supply low...at the end of the day he are the one can manage and control the price of the iphone...i freakin angry when maxis staff get iphone with rm 1600 w/out plan....well now i own a ipod rather then a iphone...im goin to android!!!

I dont understand the fuss over the waiting...If you have booked the phone on the pretext of having been told you have to wait 30 - 45 days, then wait for the time to lapse before you start complaining. If others get it earlier, so be it.....

I waited around 40 days for my phone.

omg bro how u get it?
i also wan!

The reason I don't want switch to iValue or postpaid because I doin quite a lot of SMS, for RM100 per month, only 100 SMS, really not enough for me..

I currently using Hotlink Youth Club, 1 sen per sms only.. RM30 can sms and call a lot d..

I think outright purchase of the iphone is not an option because under the agreement with Apple, Maxis is suppose to give Apple a cut from the plan ppl are subscribing as well. It's not 'officially stated' but that's the way you get 'exclusive rights' from Apple.

so the waiting period now is still 30 - 45 days for pavillion?any1 tried time square?

hope i can negotiate with them to get my phone within 3 weeks

There is no negotiation, mate. It's take it or leave it. However, if you happen to know some big gun in Maxis, then it's a different story.

or corporate users

With corporate customers, allowance is catered for already by Maxis. So, yes it is 'special treatment' to them, only compared to individual customers.

Even they agree to giving you the iphone within 3weeks. But i don't think they will give you in time