CIMB credit card has this promotion on MPH. Every first Sunday of the month, the cardholder will get a 10% rebate for purchases from MPH.

On the first Sunday of June, I made two purchases from MPH. One time at the MPH bookstore and one time at the MPH book fair. When I received my July statement, I saw the rebate for the purchase from the MPH bookstore, but no rebate for the purchase from the MPH bookfair.

From July until September, I made at least 4 calls to the CIMB customer service complaining about this issue. It was decided by CIMB that I was not entitled to the rebate because MPH had used a different merchant terminal instead of the CIMB merchant terminal. I pointed out that the advertised promotion didn’t mention anything about requiring my credit card to be swiped at a CIMB merchant terminal. CIMB admit that it was a mistake but they couldn’t do anything for me. I was advised to talk to MPH directly.

I took my case to MPH. Within less than a week this case have been settled. I was given a RM10 voucher. MPH informed me they will inform CIMB to revise the 10% rebate promo to exclude purchases made at book fairs. The value of the voucher is more than the 10% rebate I would have gotten. So, I am happy at the outcome.

I wonder why couldn’t CIMB liaise with MPH directly? Why make the cardholder liaise with the retailer? What if I had made this purchase from outstation? Does CIMB expect me to go all the way back to the retailer to settle the issue?

I buy about RM1,000 worth of books every year to maximise my tax relief. And they can count on me to continue supporting them. However, this can’t be said of CIMB. I feel that CIMB is overpromising and underdelivering. I am seriously reviewing my relationship as a cardholder with CIMB.

Finally some good news for the consumers. Prices of thousands of items are starting to come down following the reduction in energy prices. Hypermarkets are leading the way. Hopefully the restaurants and hawkers will follow suit.

When costs increased, businesses quickly raised their prices. For about 4 months, consumers had to adjust their lifestyles to cope with rising energy and food costs. It had looked like more people will fall into poverty.

Now when costs have come down, these businesses were slow in adjusting their prices downwards. Many gave the excuse to wait until the energy and commodities costs have stabilized first before readjusting their prices. Some said their suppliers have not reduced prices, hence they could not reduce their selling prices too. It seems like each one is waiting for the other to lower the prices before they will lower their own prices. Consumers have become angry and frustrated at these inconsiderate businesses.

The Government should study and implement a more efficient distribution of products such as agriculture produce. This would eliminate unnecessary middlemen, lowers distribution costs and minimize wastages.