********* experience from takealot

On the 11/9/2024 I purchased 3 items online from takealot. One of the most important one being a fridge as my old one gave in. The delivery took place on the 18/9/2024. In spite of the communication stating delivery time between 8 and 5 , I received my delivery at 19:00 the evening. I asked the driver to wait until I inspected the items and he advised he had much more deliveries to make and left. The boxes these items came in seemed fine at face value and I moved along. Exited for the fridge, I opened immediately. Only to find a dent on the fridge door. I reported and requested immediately online for a replacement item. The next day takealot sent people to collect however they came with a smaller vehicle and could not load the fridge. The driver reported to the office accordingly and the next day it was collected. I asked takealot at the time just how long this would take as I have already been 10 days without a fridge. They advised it must be validated and approved first. Given the time they needed it was approved, I found this out only because I called in once again on the 22/9/2024. Then I asked them to kindly speed up my delivery as it’s becoming increasingly difficult without a fridge. The consultant Orbyo advised me he would escalate and contact me shortly. The day went by only for me to receive a email stating my takealot account was credited due to them not having any stock available. Note this was just the cost of the item and not the sir charge that I was charged for. I was not contacted regarding this, neither was I given a choice, takealot simply decided for me. So I go online the next day to check for fridges only to see that they actually do have stock but the price increased. When I queried this I was told that what reflects online is not always what they actually have. So after much calls from my side as no one from takealot calls you, including a manager ( Tarnishi ) that promises to call back. I was told by her that I need to wait until it’s marked down again or buy another as they will not replace the item I bought even after it’s been approved, before cutting my call while I asked for a reference number and a noted letter refuting my replacement. The reference given was ***4 and then I was cut. So in saying this I have learned that takealot works as I have used them numerous times but be carful as I have also learned just how ********* and unprofessional they can be.