Bad business ethics

I went to buy a pair of shoes for my son on the 26 August 2025 and when we got home the shoes were small. On the 13th September he went to the store to check for alternative shoes but didn't find any. On the 18th, I went to the store for a refund so I can look elsewhere, the staff told me that the store did not have enough money to refund me and that they would call should they have enough. It is now 5 days and all I have to do is guess that the store still does not have money to refund me.

The store policy says: * They cannot refund if the store does not have money * Can only refund through a credit card * They can offer a gift card, that which only buys at their store

Bear in mind i went to 2 other stores to check before I opted for a refund.

My concern is! Why did they not give me all this conditions before I bought the good, so i can decide whether to buy or not. I mean, their conditions are limiting me and deciding fir my money. Where are my rights to buy wherever I want, my right to refunded if the product is unsatisfactory. I then called customer care and spoke to Sihle who told me that the matter would be escalated to the area manager and would be attended to whin 24 to 72 hours, that is 3 more days and my son needs those shoes for a school trip today My heart is bleeding and I truly discourage any person to buy unless you are sure about the product and size you want.

This store does not deserve to receive even a single star. Their inconvenience has cost me a R1000 I did not budget for or plan on spending