VERY UNHAPPY TAKALOT CUSTOMER

I have always supported takealot for years with no problems. Well, the problems have begun and I need to WARN all consumers. I have always purchased items, in advance, for gifts. In March, I ordered a small Kenwood handmixer (ONLY R399) as a gift for a stork party in August for my daughter. She in turn only opened the box to start making pureed food a few weeks ago and found that the blade section was missing from the sealed box. I contacted Takalot and it was immediately collected. Then the problems began. Had 5 people arrive to collect the item only to be told that it had been collected so already a huge mix up. Then I started receiving numerous emails stating that the product is out of the 7 day return period!!!! When I explained that I often do in advance purchasing for gifts I have been enfatically told that an item can only be exchanged or refunded WITHIN 7 DAYS OF PURCHASE!!! SO EVERYONE BEWARE, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO OPEN UP A SEALED GIFT AND IF ANYTHING WRONG, IT HAS TO BE RETURNED WITHIN 7 DAYS!!!! I Refuse to break open a gift before presenting it and I am now worried as I have bought lots of gifts for birthdays and Christmas through Takalot so obviously the 7 day return period will be over. A VERY UNHAPPY EX TAKALOT CUSTOMER.