Poor service with returns

<p>As a prevelant and consistent online shopper for many years with Takealot and prior kalahari, and being lucky that I have not experienced and major issues, I have had items being cancelled due to stock and incorrect items delivered etc, but rather than return the items I'd made a plan and gifted them(to avoid the messy returns policy) which I've had to now had the "joy" of experiencing! Totally annoyed with their response to my request, and the same blanket response that it seems is pre loaded and all the "consultants" Do is pick a response from a drop down menu and don't actually respond!!!!</p> <p>I purchased an LED microscope for my future scientist's 8th birthday! He was blown away upon opening his parcel! However that excitement soon turned to dismay as we could not load the driver on his laptop that is required to run the program to actually use the microscope! Not to mention how flimsy and poor quality the product is, for spending R 1700 plus.........I called into takealot and explained the situation as there was no "instructions" other than a PDF doc on the cd supp****, and asked if there was a call Centre that could assist, I was told no, and then proceeded to log a return!</p> <p>I received a return declined email today and was very "matter of fact" told that the returns inspection dept was able to load the driver and therefor my request has been declined, I sent a response to the email sender, that I still do not want this item as I'm disappointed with the quality! I still get a response tonight that basically ignored my request to advise that I do not want the item and was told that is has been shipped back to me!</p> <p>So what now....I'm lead to believe that you offer a shopping experience with no hassles......true if you never have an item to return!!!!!</p> <p>So I'm forced to have to accept a sub standard item and am out of pocket R1700 for something that I couldn't even use a paper weight for all its worth!!!!</p> <p>The irony in all this is that just today, I spent R500 on a gift with Takealot!!!!</p>