Bidorbuy returns policy unreasonable wrt to their own guidelines

I ordered an item valued at about R2000 in January for delivery in February from Bid or Buy who then referred me to the seller Gearify. A week or two after the item had not arrived yet I contacted Johan from Gearify and he told me that according to his records the item had been delivered. He then undertook to deliver a replacement item and I stressed that I needed it before a certain date in May. Many assurances were given, but responses where difficult to get as time came closer for the item to be delivered. Eventually all communication from Johan stopped and the item has still not been delivered so in essence he has ****** my money. I then escalated this to Bid or Buy and they say i should have reported it within 30 days of order placement even though their policy also states that I need to try and resolve with the seller first. I notified Bid or Buy within 3 days of realising that I had been ****med.