Faulty Shoes

My friend who works at Cotton On bought a pair of shoes for me at Cotton On Mall Of The South as a present for me on Friday, 15 December. I wore the shoes on Saturday and realized that they were faulty. The stitches were torn and I went back to the store today to inform them that the shoes are faulty and find out how they can help me. What I got was appalling. The lady I spoke to said they cannot help me since the shoe was worn already. I then asked to speak to the manager to then told me that they cannot help me and said since my friend is the one that bought them, then she should also be present when I return the shoes. I had the receipt and everything and the way they spoke to me was not professional at all. I would like to know what the terms and conditions. The lady I was talking to was not wearing a name tag. The manager told me that the fact that they were bought on staff discount they cannot be repaired or replaced. He then told me that since my friend has left and is now working at Clearwater Mall I should take the shoes to Clearwater Mall where my friend is working. I then told him to give me a refund since they could not exchange the shoes, he then said the person that bought the shoes will have to be the one to open the till and process the refund. The manager's name is Tshepo Manoto. I am now stuck with a pair of shoes that I will never get to enjoy because it was faulty when I bought then and did not realize that they were faulty. Tshepo gave me the head office number and told me to call them so that they can assist. I need this attended to ASAP.