Takealot - Electronic devices - buyer's beware!

Last July 2024. I purchased a new Samsung Z Flip 5. It arrived perfectly sealed in the correct box, and with a charger and cable. In June 2025, the screen (on the fold) began to lift. I contacted Takealot and sent the phone to them. Firstly, they claimed I neglected to include the C2C cable. I send another cable. Then, the charger was not the charger supp****. (Original charger malfunctioned after 7 months and was replaced by me). Suddenly I received an email stating my phone was being returned, because of non compliance by me, the Customer. Upon its return, I took it to a Samsung service centre in Rustenburg (Kudos to them). They checked the official Samsung Specifications website, to establish it was a South African product. They very gently informed me, that the IMEI indicated that the phone was first activated in October 2023! Therefore, Takealot sold me a second hand phone - dressed as brand new! I was shocked, and terribly disheartened. These actions are tantamount to *****! The Customer service I received from Takealot was abrupt, and it appeared they were putting obstacles in at every turn. Then to be informed, with irrefutable evidence, that the phone was misrepresented - sold as new......outrageous!! Quotation for screen repair/replace R14000. Z flip cost as new, R16999. Fortunately, even with the misrepresentation by Takealot the phone was only just still within the warranty period. As I write, it has been accepted for repair by Samsung.