Outrageous refund policies

I am deeply saddened by the experience I encountered at Armstrong bookshop (Johnessburg CBD branch) and I doubt I will ever be purchasing textbooks from there again.

On the 30th of June, I purchased a few textbooks from the store one of which, I had already purchased from another vendor. It was an error on my side. I want back to Armstrong book shop on the 10th July 2020 to ask if they could exchange the book for me for the one I had initially intended to buy and I was willing to pay the difference.

Mind you, the book I initially intended to buy was priced at R520 for a second hand. The incorrect book I purchased, was also a second hand and I paid R341 for it.

My logic is that they would give me the book I need and I would pay the difference of R179, which benefits both me and the store. Instead, the manager who's name I didn't get unfortunately tells me that they can buy the incorrect textbook from me at a second hand rate as they have a 7 day no refund policy which I wasn't informed about.

To be clear, I wasn't asking for a refund as I acknowledge fault on my part. I was asking for a simple EXCHANGE AND WAS WILLING TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE OF 179!!!!!!!

Now think with me, I bought this book for 341 (second hand) now this lady was proposing that I sell this book back to them for R187.

A SECOND HAND BOOK THAT SHE SOLD TO ME AND WAS ONLY IN MY POSSESSION FOR A PERIOD OF 10 DAYS!! HOW LUDICROUS!!!!!!!

She was still expecting me to purchase the book I actually needed at the full price of R520 still, there was not even the slightest consideration for me as a customer and the fact that I am a student and don't have much!!!! NO COMPROMISE. NOTHING!!!!! I'm appalled, perplexed and vexed all at the same time.

If this isn't **************** and exploitation, then I don't know what is. I understand that times are tough in light of our current economic situation but that doesn't give companies the right to de***** customers like this.

I would just like to make it clear that if you ever consider buying books from Armstrong bookshop, you better reconsider and double check on their so-called return and refund policies lest they swindle you. They have definitely lost a customer cause I will never purchase books from them again.