TAKEALOT.COM operating contrary to the Consumer Protection Act

I am very dissatisfied with the service received from takealot.

I purchased a TV in September. When I opened the box the screen was cracked and I immediately logged a return. (MRRN-FMERY-NBK7 - Order number ***). The TV was collected and 3 days later I received an email stating that my return was declined because the return request was logged more than 7 days after it was delivered. According to the Consumer Protection Act, and to the Takealot website I have 30 days to return a damaged or defective item. I would have opened it within the 7 days, except that the living room where it was to be wall-mounted was being painted and I felt that it was safer to leave in the box in an unused bedroom. My husband and I are pensioners, with no children and there was no one that entered this room. The damage to the screen was clearly in-transit damage as it appeared that something heavy had been loaded on top of it or knocked against it. The returned TV was still in its plastic wrapping and the box, and the polystyrene packaging was sent back fully intact. I have sent proof through to Takealot, in the form of photos that verifies the reason that I chose to not unpack the TV before the 8th October. The photos that I sent through clearly show the painting and alterations that were taking place in the said living room.

I have sent numerous emails through, requesting feedback and I have phoned through to the call-centre number on multiple occasions, but I still get no feedback. They are now in possession of the damaged TV that I paid for, although the damage was caused by them. What am I to do? There are no contact details or email addresses for 'the powers that be'.

Kind regards

Gwyneth Espach