Could not supply order, battling to get my refund

I bought a washing machine for R7999. I was notified the next day after office hours that I can not get it. I must take another one of the same value or cancel the order. I cancelled the order. I want to know why could they not cancel the authorization before the payment went through. I am battling to get my money back, and I just get emails saying its been escalated with no actual feedback. I had to buy another washing machine, what do the guys dont understand. You cant just wait for a refund. In this case it should be done immediately!