Item not delivered in time frame

I ordered an item for delivery at an address whilst abroad. I got an e-mail advising that the parcel had been dispatched and the date when I would receive it. This date was a week into my 3 week holiday so I knew I would receive it on time. I then received a second e-mail advising that the parcel was on the way. The parcel never arrived and after getting back home I sent them an e-mail querying the parcel and that I want a refund.

Excuses - the parcel had just been sent (some 3 weeks after the date they said it had been dispatched) and they could not refund me and that I am to get in touch with the postal service in another country to re-route to me or ask "a friend" in that country to follow up on it and post to me - at whose expense??!!

I was also offered a discount on a future purchase of 10 - 15% - that doesn't rectify this order and I will never order from them again. And is it 10 or 15%? they don't know which!

I should have rather just thrown the money away instead of giving it to them!

What a disgrace.