Totalsports Newcastle Mall Failed to Assist With Faulty Phone Returned Within 7 Days

I am extremely disappointed with the service I received from Totalsports Newcastle Mall. On 1 May 2026, I purchased a Samsung A26 cellphone. Within a few days, the phone developed a fault, and I returned it to the store on the sixth day after purchase, which was within the store's 7-day policy. At the time of return, the phone had no cracks, scratches, or any form of physical damage. I did not return the phone to the store for repairs. I returned it because it was faulty within the 7-day period, and I expected the matter to be handled in accordance with the store's policy for defective products. However, the store booked the device in for repairs and informed me that if physical damage was found, I would have to pay approximately R400 for the phone to be returned. No further explanation regarding the process or my options was provided. I was also not given a replacement device as I believed was agreed. A few days later, I received an invoice stating that I needed to pay R2,060.43 for repairs. When I approached the store for assistance, I was told that the repair company would deal with the matter directly and that the store could not assist me further. As I could not afford the repair cost for damage I did not cause, I paid to have the phone returned to the store. The original report from the store recorded the screen as faulty and the appearance of the phone as good. I am frustrated that the store is now refusing to assist me with resolving this issue. I purchased a new phone that developed a fault within days of purchase, yet I am being held responsible for repair costs without receiving adequate assistance or explanation from the retailer. I would appreciate intervention from Totalsports and a fair resolution to this matter, including an investigation into why a phone returned within the 7-day period for a manufacturing fault was treated as a repair case instead of being properly assessed as a defective product.