Disappointing customer service feedback from Takealot.com

I purchased a "Junior white desk" on Takealot.com, a small and affordable desk for my daughter. I have been a regular customer of Takealot.com and never encountered any issues with purchases or returns until now. I received an extremely disturbing email regarding my return request. The item was delivered to my home on June 14, 2024. After assembling it, I noticed the desk was unstable and not steady at all. While assembling, one of the *****s chipped the corner of the desk. Based on this alone, I decided the desk did not meet my expectations and required needs. I felt it was not stable, and the quality of the materials used was poor. I submitted my return request under ticket number MRRN-7M442-D7VP. on the 16th June 2024.

After carefully packaging the desk to ensure the box was sealed and the items were secure for collection, I was shocked to receive an email declining my return. They claimed the reason for the refusal was "extreme chipping damage and damage arising from negligence, user abuse, or incorrect usage of the product." How could such damage occur within just two days since its delivery? The item was collected on June 16, 2024, and I only received a response on June 20. The desk was in my possession for less than two days.

They sent me horrific pictures showing damage to the desk that clearly happened during transit. They are now refusing to approve my return. This desk cost me R999.00 plus a mandatory R200.00 delivery fee. In their email, they informed me the item would be arranged for delivery back to me in its damaged state. This is unacceptable. How can they think it's acceptable to return the item to me in this damaged condition, especially since I know it was sent to them undamaged?

I am extremely upset about this outcome and await further feedback from Takealot.com. As a regular customer who has always provided positive feedback, I cannot believe this is how they treat their customers. The damage to this item clearly occurred during transit back to their warehouse.