HomeChoice (Pty) Ltd RSA refuses to refund funds after failing to accept my purchase

I signed up on their website to make an online cash purchase on Tuesday 13 February 2024. While I was about to check out, I entered all my card and banking details, the funds were deducted from my account and the website didn't go through with my purchase. it went blank and when I checked my basket was still with the item and I didn't receive an order number or invoice. I called your call centre multiple times and they said to me the item I was trying to purchase was out of stock. I asked them to help me get a refund they said I needed to send proof of payment.

On my side, it still showed that the bank hadn't cleared the funds but they had them reserved so I could send any proof of payment since it didnt show on my bank statement. the bank was also requesting that I get authorisation or a letter from the merchant confirming the cancellation of the transaction, which Homechoice refused to give me.

A few days later the bank released the funds and the transaction was now showing on my bank statement which I then sent to Homechoice as my proof of purchase, with the outgoing funds highlighted. I then requested a full refund back to me.

3 days later one of Homechoice's agents called me and instead of refunding me she was trying to proceed with the purchase which didn't go through initially. I then reaffirmed that I needed my full payment back in full and requested a reference to the call which she promised to send but I still never got.

These guys were not willing to assist me in the first place and only now a week after are trying to force me to make a purchase in order to avoid refunding my money.

It seems to me that Homechoice only cares about money and making as much sales as they can and has little care for their clients.