Philatelic items are hot stuff. Usually, a stamp enthusiast will purchase more than 1 quantity per an item. Like hot cakes, these products will be snapped away fast, particularly the First Day Covers which are only sold on the issuing day. As for other philatelic items, they are produced in limited quantites and are only available while stocks last.

The queue is always very long.

To save all the hassle and heartache of not getting the item that you wanted the most, the Philatelic Bureau offers 3 alternatives to collectors:

• Standing Order Deposit Accounts (SODA)
  With SODA, a customer can open an account with an advance deposit of RM 50 (USD$13) and receive philatelic items on a regular basis. The respective account holder will receive every item ordered for every issue of commemorative or special issue of postage stamps or any other item without further instructions. The total cost of the items ordered for each issue as per standing order will be deducted from the account and a statement of account sent to the account holder along with the order as soon as possible after the Issue Date.
• Mail Order Service
  Mail Order Service is a service whereby a customer can place an order by mail. The remittance advanced by the customer should include the cost of the items ordered, the return postage as well as registration charges.
• Advance Order Service
  The Advance Order Service is a service whereby a customer can place an order for forthcoming issue of First Day Covers and accompanying stamps at the Philatelic Bureau Headquarters a week before the issue date. The order has to be paid for in full and can be collected from the same place in due course.