Pick n Pay, Typically South African

I purchased a phone from Pick n Pay Gardens Centre, which was faulty out of the box. When I returned it, I was told that it would be sent away for assessment, which takes up to 21 working days. If Vodacom then approved the assessment, pick n pay would wait for a credit from vodacom, after which they would refund me. Not acceptable at all. I would be without a phone for at least a month, when the invoice clearly stipulates that I have 7 days to return for full refund or exchange. Manager was not helpful, staff could not communicate at all. I had to purchase a phone at Game, and no help from PnP, call centre, head office or store level.