TAKEALOT REFUSING TO ACCEPT RETURN ON DEFECTIVE GAZEBO THAT WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2026

I purchased a KETLA 4.5X3 Gazebo from Takealot in January when I saw it on special, which was delivered to me on 14th January. I booked a weekend away from 27th February - 1st March and used the Ketla Gazebo for the first time. Firstly, the side sails are made from a plastic that feels like it could crumble at any moment and about 3 - 4 hours after we put the Gazebo up we noticed that the roof was separated from the support beam, so we took the gazebo down and put it back in the bag. I logged by return with Takealot immediately, while still away, and the gazebo was collected on Monday 02/03/2026. I got an email from Takealot stating that they have rejected the return because it is outside of the return time frame. According to their return policy, defective items must be returned within 6 months of delivery. Now they are telling me this is not the case. I fail to understand where 6 months has passed and the Ketla Gazebo also has a 1 year / 12 month guarantee which they are saying only applies when you return within their return policy. As a consumer who uses Takealot continuously, I feel that this in unacceptable, considering the cost of the Gazebo which is broken and useless to me. I did not even ask for a refund to my bank account, I wanted to be credited to my Takealot account as I wanted to use the funds to get a replacement Gazebo.