Poor service, poor quality product

On the 1st September while I was still working in New Balance Mall of Africa, I purchased a running shoe for my partner at 50% off because that is the privilege of staff members. Then towards the end of September I resigned from the company. On Wednesday 8 November, my boyfriend sent me a picture of the very same shoe that I had purchased at New Balance, showing me that it's already tearing on the side. This shoe has a 6 months manufacturing warranty but it's already torn in two months. Luckily he also kept the slip of the shoe so he sent me a picture of that too. I forwarded the slip and the picture of the shoe to the manager at the New Balance store, he promised to get back at me and when he did he told me that his Area manager said that I can get a new pair but I have to pay the remaining balance of the shoe to make it full price as I'm no longer working with the company. This really doesn't make sense to me, so I asked him why should I pay a top up for a damaged shoe which I just need replaced and he refered me to the area manager. I messaged the area manager on WhatsApp, her name is Tshepiso Makhudu, she couldn't resolve my problem, instead of going back to get information on how to resolve this issue the proper way, she decided to bash me with an unnecessary attitude (I have our conversation on my phone). I then told her to get back at me today or I'll take this further and she blocked me. Is this the kind of service and poor quality product I deserve because I'm a former employee of the company?