Dishonesty & Profiteering business practice underneath a sparkling vascade

2015 I secured a second hand dress from Eve's bridal(EB) by paying in full. 2016 I stopped the wedding 6 weeks before the date and notified EB. It was never altered to my size and I never took delivery of it-it was just like the day I tried it on. I asked them to sell the dress(as I had intended to do after the wedding anyways). I was sent a 'Resale/Hire Contract' to sign. It stated that I would only get back 50% of my initial price since resale would usually involve cleaning and repairing and storing the dress. I queried whether it was possible to get the entire amount back(or more than 50%) since it never left the shop. The assistant was very sympathetic and said that she would talk to Eve about my special circumstance. Jan 2017 I queried my special circumstance again and I was assured via email by the same assistant that I would get my entire amount back. beginning 2018 I contacted the shop to hear if the dress had been sold and after some humming and hahing they confirm that it was sold in 2017 but that they had misplaced my contact details so could not notify me. I then sent them proof of the conversation and agreement above and asked how much and when I could be paid. Again after some stalling they asked for proof of payment which I supp****. They confirmed that they would only pay 50% according to the contract that I signed. I contested this, based on all the reasons above. Suddenly they knew exactly what date they had sent my contract and when I had signed it and asked for my banking details to remit payment immediately without wanting to entire into further discussion. I sent them my banking details the next day. 2 weeks later I had to send an email querying my payment-no reply. One month later I sent an email of demand and followed up telephonically to check if they received the email. They confirmed and I was paid on the final date of demand. BUT not the entire 50% ! I am still owed40% of the 50%. I queried again and I was told that I'd receive the payment at the end of the month. It is now 6 days into the new month and no payment.

I have been given the run around, having to query and follow up and do the legwork on this which points to evasive and dishonest business practice. I was being made to believe that they were open to negotiating the unusual circumstances of my situation but still asking me to sign the 'general resale and hiring contract' to then be able to fall back on it at later stage. Again, dishonest business practice. Delaying payment is direct profiteering. An honest retailer would negotiate a better deal in such a situation. AND PAY what they had promised.