Takealot won't refund me for a defective product!!!!!!!!!

I purchased a Salton blender/ food processor (2-in-1) product from Takealot and it was delivered on Friday 2 February. By Sunday 4 February, it no longer worked, odd considering I had only used the blender to make a FRUIT smoothie! It just so happens that I had accidentally ordered 2 of the same product so I had logged a return on Friday before leaving my office. When the courier came to collect the product on Monday 5 February, I explained that I was returning the faulty product that did not work and keeping the 2nd product, still in it's box. I have now been informed that Takealot will not refund me for the broken product because it was "not in it's original packaging!" WHY would I keep the box? The product has a 1 year warranty, am I then expected to keep a box for a year?

I have re-read the returns & refunds policy & nowhere does it say anything about "original packaging"

From website: Preparing your products for a return To ensure your request is processed as quickly as possible you are responsible for the following when returning your products: package your products safely and securely for protection during transit; clearly mark your return reference number on the outside of the parcel; and include all accessories and parts that were sold with the product.

Also, why did the TAKEALOT EMPLOYEE who collected the product from me not make me aware of the returns policy? If he had, I could easily have used the box from the unopened product!

I am absolutely appalled at the level of service. I am now out R400 and can honestly say that I don't think I will be using Takealot again! This is shocking customer service!