The Expired Hotlink Prepaid Number
[Updated 23 July 2011] – Maxis called and confirmed I can get back my number! YAY! So this entry is a bad experience which turned out to be a happy ending.
Firstly, my Nokia E65 KO-ed.
So I was phone-less, and I had to borrow a temporary phone. Didn’t get a new phone because I’m always waiting for the new iPhone version.
To make things worse, my Hotlink Prepaid number was deactivated a week ago. So secondly, I was number-less too.
Well, if you’re a Hotlink Prepaid user, you’d know that you have 90 days to reload or else it’ll be deactivated by Maxis.
So yeah, that actually happened to me. I procrastinated, waited till the 91st day (so that I have an extra day extension) then only decided to reload. Well, that kiamsiap-ness in me was the root of this unexpected trouble.
My number has been deactivated. My my, what have I got myself into?
So immediately over the weekend, I went to the main Maxis Center at KLCC to get it solved, hopefully to get my number back.
Reached there quite early in the morning. Took my number and waited.
And waited.
The scene was intense in the Maxis Center. Well, that’s just me of course – because I was on a mission to save my number.
Oh, do you know that I’ve been using the same number since 2003! It was my first ever number.
Yes, almost 8 years and this Hotlink SIM Card has been my companion since high school. It’s probably the only thing I’m still carrying around since 2003.
I’ve never lost my phone. I’ve never missed a reload, that’s until now…
I was summoned to the counter, made up a story that I was at overseas for work and didn’t reload in time. Crap crap crap. My number for 8 years, I’ve been a loyal user. Bla bla bla.
But the dude told me that he can only forward my request to the “number” department to check whether it’s still available or not. If it is, they’ll call me back and I have to convert it to a postpaid.
I was like… Huh? I’ve been using my Hotlink so comfortably but now I have to convert it to postpaid and pay extra charges like billing and 6% Government Tax?
Oh well, as long as I can get back that number, I’m fine with it.
So I left the Maxis Center, had a late breakfast at Coffee Bean and kept regretting. Why lah this trouble, I should have just reloaded earlier. Even the tasty breakfast set couldn’t cure my sorrow.
Okay, it’s a little out of topic. Let’s continue.
After a few days, my temporary phone finally displayed “Unregistered SIM” on the screen. Initially people could still call me even it was deactivated, but a few days later – it’s totally terminated. No calls in, no calls out.
Never mind, I kept waiting and hoping for the good news from Maxis. I was pretty confident that I can get back the number because I don’t think anyone would want it since it doesn’t consist of a beautiful string of numbers?
I also tweeted @MaxisListens on Twitter to help me out. But today, I received the dreaded news…
WHAT? My number is no longer available? I was distraught! o.O
I was simply devastated. The precious number which I’ve been using since 2003 is gone, like forever. Someone else is gonna use it soon and many people have taken that number over the long 8 years.
Actually, I don’t really mind. No problem with changing my number, but the only concern is my blogger name card…
[Updated 23 July 2011] – Initially exposed number now censored. Since I’m getting it back, there is no more issue with the name card. :)
Don’t mind revealing my (former) number to the world now, since it’s no longer mine. I have 500 pieces, probably given out only 30+ pieces. So the rest of the 450+ name cards still have my old number!
Honestly, I feel bad to the sponsor of my name card. Now I probably have to ugly-fy it by either writing or concealing by sticking a piece of paper with my new number on it.
*Breath in, breath out* Anyway, since it’s gone for good, I was on another mission – to get a new number from Maxis.
I had the option of getting another Hotlink Prepaid number, but since I wanted a similar number as my old one, I had to get a Maxis Postpaid.
By selecting the cheapest (spot the kiamsap-ness) Value Plan of RM30 a month, it’s not just flat RM30. I also have to pay extra RM5 for billing and 6% Government Tax.
Furthermore, there is no longer Activ10 (with Postpaid, you must pay extra) and no Hotlink reward points anymore.
While waiting for the Maxis lady to register my new number, I was actually looking at the BlackBerry plans. If I were to own a BlackBerry, my target would be the famous BlackBerry Bold 9780.
At that moment of time, I was so tempted to get myself a smartphone – maybe a BlackBerry. Thoughts kept running through my mind… should I, should I not?
But I would have to pay more (kiamsap alert!) and it will be another commitment.
I calculated the extra charges if I purchase the 24-months contract. I even compared the BIS Standard and BIS Entry data plans, figuring out which is more worthy.
But… all I’ve ever wanted is an iPhone! But… how? Maybe I should just take the plunge and reward myself with a BlackBerry since I’ve been a good boy all year long?
You know, even high school and college kids nowadays already own a smartphone. So how can a successful blogger working adult like me still don’t own one? How can??
After much thoughts and contemplation, I resisted the temptation and walked off with just a new Maxis Postpaid SIM card. If you’re wondering, only the last 3 digits are different on the new number. :)
You know there is a saying “You can judge a person whether he is a kid or not by their phone plan”? Well if you’re using a prepaid you’re a kid, otherwise you’re a grown man.
So what can I say – am I finally a grown man that I have a postpaid now? Oh well, being proud to be finally a “man”, I penetrated the virgin SIM card into the phone!
The morale of the story – Better late than never, but there is no harm being early.
P/S: You know what I thought of doing? If my old number is activated and used by the new owner, I thought of giving a call and perhaps to request to redeem it back. What do you think?
P/P/S: But actually, my new number is much nicer than my previous number. Hmm…
[Updated after 12.00am] – New Maxis number activated.
I’ll miss you 012-#######.
[Updated 23 July 2011] – I GOT MY NUMBER BACK!!! :D
Explanation – it’s because I appealed via 2 methods. 1) Manually at Maxis KLCC. 2) Online on Twitter @MaxisListens. Therefore, both processed my appeal and when MaxisListens checks my number, it’s booked. But actually, it was already booked by Maxis KLCC under my name. So the misinformation happened because there is no update between the 2 parties.
According to the Maxis staff, after a Hotlink number has been deactivated the owner has 7 days to walk-in to a Maxis Center and appeal. And yes, I walked-in within 7 days! So the supposedly ”new” number has been deactivated and replaced with my old number.
Yeah, I’m happy it’s all mine (as postpaid though) – again. :)
wow so sad that the number is be with u for so many years now putih putih gone case
Looks like it’s time to move on.
even my wife’s new number also contain the complete contact number from the previous owner. even celebrities number!
I had been in the same situation before, only mine is Celcom. I get to retrieve my number back, twice! So it is a bit surprising that u can’t use the number only after days after it is terminated. Mine was terminated weeks and months before~
RIP 012-####### :( miss call me with your new number bro.
Anyway maxis sucks coz they gave you hope that you could save the old number. How can you give a man hope, and dash it the next moment. Tsk Tsk.
You can write your personal story in humour style. Great blogger you are.
But how can late reload the credit can create so much troublesome? Even Digi prepaid if did not reload back more than 7 days, also no problem oo..
haha..nice story! i miss my old number too..damn. it was such a beautiful number…
unlike yours..
eh, ooops. hahaha!
joking. =P
It’s my honour if I can get your blogger Name Card, hoho…
My 012 prepaid also similar, since start working in Singapore, seldom go back, so my 2003-born number RIP this year.
On the good side, I can update my new no. to M’sia close friends once back for vacation, so can jio everyone out yum cha! lol…
Hey! That’s the number that I have! So it’s no longer in use? Can delete from my phonebook already lah?
nvm.. email still the same..
hm…i also waiting for de person who took my favorite number!!!
I’M STILL A KID! WHEE!~
I don’t think ur number is taken…they’re just lazy don’t wanna give u back lol~
Ouchh! I’ve been using my current number for the past 7 years or so. I can’t imagine how disastrous it would be if I lost it. But I believe you’ll be happy with your new number and get used to it before you know. :-D
Choose e-statement to save the RM5 :P
bro! this is actually a very nice story! i dont usually read these kind of stories on many other blogs because they tend to be self indulgent but this is really insightful!
kesiannye….
well take it as a life experience =)
New number is like a new friend. They may be better than your previous one
e-Billing is free :)
It’s their standard reply la. They tarak check for you punya. Same like DIGI. My DG got terminated too. But now DIGI is better than Maxis coz the other day a friend reload her DIGI prepaid RM30, she got and sms said it’s valid till 2013! surprising.
So, what is your new number? Haha! Ya, how can a working adult having no smart phone. I had just recently got myself one after working for 9 years. So go and grab one and join the smart phone group, good luck!
So using prepaid you’re a kid, otherwise you’re a grown man. When you retire and grows old you switch back to kid mode no need postpaid and life goes on in a circle again…hahaha.
I’ve faced the same problem too. I think Hotlink is making this up. How is it possible that within a week of the expiration of the sim card they could manufacture and quickly sell those numbers out to the other customers? Or else, what do they mean with unavailable number?
It seems to me that they are taking advantage over this bureaucratic shit because now they could earn more money and sell more postpaid numbers. Like you said, we have to pay more, and they will earn more with postpaid plans.
Why not try IPHONE 3G Plan. It is better compared to blackberry :)
Why bad things happen because small error? Too bad huh :-(
Just like you, I have been having the same number for many years, in fact for the past 17 years.
Hey!! congrats for getting your no back! I owned a BB 9780 but i signed the contract with DG instead.
maxis.. i am having the love-hate relationship with them.. hate it when they screw something up and love it when they made up with freebies.. hee..
okay.. phew!!! so no need to edit ur number in my fon dy lah :D
I wonder if I can get back my number which terminated 2 – 3 yrs ago =X
Congrates, you get back your number.
I can understand ur attachment to the number. I’ve had the same Digi number since 1999. Oh and I liked the way you chronicled the whole saga – lots of drama n humour :)
Guys who keep using stuffs (as long as it still can be used) for a long long time shows he’s kinda loyal, don’t you think? LOL… so you’re loyal! For staying so long with a number…
But guys with their 10-year old pillow is pretty disgusting XD
oh now u have two number.. the new one and the old one ngeh2
LOL.. I’m also waiting for the latest version of iPhone.. :) e-Statement is FOC for DiGi.. :)
Sympathy at you…
Awww :( Redeem it??
Oh! So you got back your number! That’s good! Now the next step – get iPhone!!! : D : D : D
being kiam siap rocks ok????
luckily u got ur number back. i would hate to lose a number that ive had for so long, what again hv to create a facebook group to tell everyone yr “new number”. good on u for getting it back :) twitter is the way to go.
lesson learned my friend ;P now since you’re using postpaid, don’t worry for topup. just make sure the bills are paid
Hi,
Good to know that finally you got your number back. But, your new number is nicer than the old one … oh’ oooo …
finally, after a long story, you got back your old sim card.
congratulations.
dnt worry i dnt have ur namecard yet. hahaha next time gimme. :p
But now u got 2 numbers lo
I remembered a while back my first number was a maxis number. Kept it around for almost 10 years and then went missing. never really thought of getting it back though…
Hi Ken,
I am facing the same problem now. First got a call from MAxis and they advised that the number is still available (I need to change to postpaid within 2 weeks). So I went to Maxis Centre to appeal. Waited one day and they called back and said that the number not available??.
I’m a bit confused now. :(
Hi PS. Did you walk-in within 7 days from the deactivation date? I can’t help much, but you can ask for better explanation from them. All the best!
So ur old’s number now is prepaid or postpaid??
Kelly, it’s a postpaid now. Can only convert back to prepaid after 6 months, or immediately by switching to other telco and switch back.
Ken, I am based abroad and am faced a similar situation. I am put on post paid now which I would much rather not since I hardly use my Msian SIM. How do I switch to another ‘telco prepaid and switch back’?
Hi Kim, you can contact the other telco to switch your number. They would have the service for that. :)
so you have 2 numbers now? @@
anyone here? i got a problem.. with my digi number.. just terminated about 3 days ago..can i get back my number?
yeah, trying to solve the same problem. wanna show maxis and others that the customers want to keep their numbers without reloading at least for 1 year before deactivating/terminating the service for that particular number.
can i ask u one question..normally how long will it takes for maxis to reactivate back ur number..after u go to the maxis centre
Hi, it should be within 5 working days. :)
waaa…thanks for da reply…5 working dayss???took so longg…waaa i just got back from the nearest maxis center..to reactivate back my number..they said they already make a request n now waiting for their call whether the number still available or not..
hope to get the number back..been using it since years already..to change to another number would be hard coz have to change everything..tac online banking..have to inform frens summore..
its not like i didnt topup my account…it just that i topup my account using a share/ask for a topup ..so it is consider as invalid..haiyohh..
btw a very good entry n post..really helpful to others who encounter the same problem..bad maxis!
May I ask when u got back your old number, do they return you the credit inside as well?
Hi Gwen, nope they didn’t return the credit balance since the number has been changed to postpaid plan.