Flipkart’s iPhone 16 Pro Pre-Reserve Pass scheme has sparked outrage among users who paid ₹5,000 for guaranteed discounted access during Big Billion Days sale. Many buyers claim they couldn’t purchase the phone despite holding valid passes, with no refunds issued for the non-refundable fee.
Table of Contents
What Happened?
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Pre-Reserve Pass Cost | ₹5,000 (non-refundable) |
| Promise | Discounted iPhone 16 Pro 128GB |
| Reality | Limited stock, cancelled orders |
| Refund Policy | Non-cancellable, non-refundable |
| Time Limit | 48 hours to complete purchase |
| User Impact | Thousands lost ₹5,000 |
The Pre-Reserve Pass Problem
Before Big Billion Days, Flipkart sold Pre-Reserve Passes for ₹5,000, promising buyers priority access to iPhone 16 Pro at approximately ₹70,000. While some users successfully purchased the phone, many others faced:
- Stock unavailability despite valid passes
- Automatic order cancellations after booking
- Orders shipped to nearest hub then cancelled
- No refund for the ₹5,000 pass fee
Terms & Conditions Fine Print
Flipkart’s terms clearly stated the ₹5,000 pass was non-cancellable and non-refundable. If customers couldn’t complete their iPhone 16 Pro 128GB purchase within the first 48 hours, the pass would be cancelled with no money back.
This created a situation where Flipkart collected ₹5,000 from potentially thousands of users who couldn’t secure the phone due to limited inventory—essentially profiting from unfulfilled promises.
User Backlash on Social Media
X user Abhishek Yadav highlighted how customers who didn’t receive the iPhone 16 Pro lost ₹5,000 with no recourse. Many users are now discussing filing consumer court cases against Flipkart, claiming the practice constitutes unfair business practices.
Some users reported their orders were cancelled even after reaching the nearest delivery hub, adding to frustration about the entire scheme’s execution.
What Should Have Happened?
A better practice would have been:
- Refund the ₹5,000 if the phone wasn’t available
- Allow adjustment toward other products
- Ensure adequate stock for all pass holders
- Clear communication about actual inventory
Instead, customers who couldn’t get the iPhone 16 Pro for any reason—including Flipkart’s stock limitations—forfeited their entire ₹5,000 payment.
FAQs
Was the Flipkart Pre-Reserve Pass for iPhone 16 Pro refundable?
No, Flipkart’s terms stated the ₹5,000 pass was non-cancellable and non-refundable.
Why are users complaining about Flipkart’s Pre-Reserve Pass?
Many users paid ₹5,000 but couldn’t buy the iPhone 16 Pro due to limited stock and received no refunds.
