Malcolm in the FRONT

Karthik, a staff of Maxis Centre, Taman Cheras, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur was not friendly at all during my visit there on 27 November 2007. When I was about to enter the premise to return the phone which comes with my Maxis Broadband modem, Karthik rudely mentioned to me that I will be charged a penalty if I returned the phone within the first 6 months of my Maxis Broadband subscription. I was taken aback with his statement. He further asserted by showing his tag that he is a staff of Maxis.

It doesn’t make sense to me that I will be subjected to penalty if I return a property of Maxis earlier. He was adamant despite my short lecture on common sense, consumer rights and taking Maxis Broadband to court if his statement represents Maxis. =)

I told him I was to find out myself at the counter. At the counter, a Maxis Broadband staff dismissed Karthik’s claim. Another lady at the counter helped me to fill up the “return form”. She further mentioned that I will not be charged a penalty for returning the phone set earlier than I should but cautioned me that she can’t officially record the phone as “returned” until my 6 month’s rebate period for the phone is over. My Maxis Broadband bill is RM 68 a month after the rebate of RM 15 for the phone rental. If she were to record my phone set as returned, the rebate will be applied to RM 68 for the next 3 months rebate period. That will mean I would be paying RM 53 only! However, she will officially terminate the phone rental and follow up with me just before the end of the 6 month rebate period.

When all was done, I flashed the confirmation form/slip to Karthik. I slyly said “all is settled and thank you” and went off for my appointment. I was a little late for my appointment because of you, Karthik! I can spot you second from right!