Don't book through booking.com they are lying on there website about places

I am furious , and they don't care. They took my money from my account and after that I got a message from the guesthouse that there is no rooms available. I phoned booking.com and the representative said he will get back with alternative arrangements and he will contact the finance department to have a refund or help with alternative arrangements. I waited and waited, I phoned back to hear that my refund will take 7-12 days. It's bull , I used almost all my money to make this booking and now don't have enough to make another booking cause they already deducted it from my bank account and I have to wait. How do do these companies just get away with it. My boyfriend think I **** to him I did not make a booking so we can spend our first day of the new year together. Booking.com says I have to wait for 7-12 days for a refund. I am desperate to give my partner a good time cause he is not well and had a tough year. I worked hard to treat him for new year. Booking.com took my money now I don't have enough for another place to stay. Why do these people get away with lying and the customer has to suffer. Jacobus du plessis