Absolutely useless Takealot.com

I placed and paid for an order for items on 25 November 2018. After my delivery date changing 3 times, I cancelled the order and place a new order for fewer item with a guaranteed delivery date. This was on 3 December 2018. Delivery date to be 7 December2018. Attempted delivery made, however our offices were closed at the time of the delivery. They then attempted to deliver on 8 December 2018 (a Saturday) to my offices. Obviously, unsuccessful delivery. I was phoned on Sunday, 9 December to confirm that the delivery can be made on Monday 10 December. I said, yes please, before 3pm. At 13H59 on Monday an SMS comes through to say that they were unsuccessful in their delivery attempt. I phoned to find out what had happened and why the driver did not phone so that I could assist if he was lost. No real answer. They escalated the query & some one would phone me back. (No one phoned back). Tuesday, 11 December, I get an sms saying that my parcel is out for delivery by 5pm. Guess what? No delivery received. Again I phoned Tuesday evening. Then get told that my package was never actually out for delivery, there was a scheduling error. Again, the situation is going to be escalated & a manager will phone me back. (No one phoned back). Wednesday, 12 December, I again receive an sms that my parcel is out for delivery. I phone at 12:40 to find out where my parcel is and when it is going to be delivered. Saying exactly how unhappy I am and that the service is shocking etc etc. I insist on speaking to a manager, to which I am told that the manager can't speak to me, because he is in a meeting. I am then promised that the manager will phone me back. (Shocker.... No return phone call) I then phone again at 13:58, irate and fuming. I now am told that at 13:52 a claim has been logged because my parcel has been lost. LOST!!!!! I demand to speak to a manager, who is apparently still in a meeting. When he comes on the phone, he is 'very sorry' and 'can understand that I am upset', bladdie bladdie blah.

I tell him that I do not want my order replaced. I want my money paid back into my bank account and that I am not prepared to wait 8 days for this to be done. I am assured that if I respond to an email he is sending now, that he will arrange for immediate payment into my account. I receive the email at 14:10 and responded at 14:20 on Wednesday 12 December. No further communication. I then receive an email at 13:32 on Thursday, 13 December, saying that my refund has been loaded, but it will be paid in 5 -7 working days! REALLY TAKEALOT. When I paid for my order, you had your money within 24 hours. WHY do I have to wait 5 -7 working days, because you were not able to make a simple delivery, which you have done many times before?

I am disgusted, irritated and completed ****ed off by your lack of customer service and accountability.

I DEMAND my money back by the end of Friday, 14 December. As I said on my email to Takealot. I am done with them.

Absolutely useless.