Bad business practice

about 4 month ago I bought a dyson v10 on a takealot daily for R8499, was very happy with the product and the service, around a week ago my Dyson started malfunction, I logged a return with takealot. they emailed me a few days later telling me they are unable to replace it because they dont have stock with the specific supplier. fair enough and never mind the fact the still sell it on their website albeit through a different supplier (I accept now that is how it is, and moving on)

the real problem started when they told me they could repair it or credit my takealot account with a refund.

without time to respond on the option i want to choose they decided to refund me credit. however looking at it from my point of view if I decide to repurchase the item I would have to pay in more money as its currently listed for over R11000. so for me the best option would be either to repair my dyson or return it to me so I may deal with the manufacturer as its still under warranty.

When asking takealot for the said options they told me that they do not have may dyson anymore. and I quote "it is im some other warehouse" they are unable to locate and return it to me.

this is absolutely unacceptable as I never got. any option to have it returned or repaired and now i have to use my credit to buy a subpar product and cut my losses

I have been a client of takealot for over a decade and have always supported them. but I am afraid I just can't do business with them in the future if this is how they treat their long term customers