Car Radio Code - error = Frustrating

I bought my Polo Vivio in August 2017. On purchasing the Polo Vivo, I was never informed that car radio do need a code if the battery needs to be changed. Nor was I given a code in the manual for car radio code. After several attempts by myself to get the car radio working, after I had to replace the car battery. I could not do this. I phoned McCarthy Menlyn and enquired about the code or to get the car radio working again. I was informed by the person who answered the phone, that McCharthy will do this for free. On Saturday 6 April 2024, I went to the McCharthy branch at Menlyn. Only to be inforned it will cost my R600.00. The manager on site that day, came to assist, but I could not give the code for car radio as for it was not hand written in the manual. And due to the fact that I struggle to get the code that I thought was barcode in the manual, I blocked the radio. The manager also informed me, that I had to leave the car radio on for 45 minutes, so that on the car radio it must show "1000" and then bring the car back to McCarthy Menlyn, by which they unblock the car radio and input the code. But this will only be done if I pay the R600.00. I really think this is very unfair, as for I was not informed about this when I purchased my Polo Vivo. If I knew this from the beginning, I would have make sure that I have car radio code.