LM, I hope you enjoy your catch up with your friend. What a feat for your friend's Sister to have reached 103!
Update re the unfathomable game - it feels hilarious - although I haven't got my money back .. yet.
I went to the shop this morning and recounted the tale. Different assistants on but they were ready for me. One said firmly that Head Office have said that there is no way they are going to refund me as they have never had a complaint before by anyone.
I said "Oh! .. okay .. would you at least show me how to play it then? I have the game here." The assistant agreed. She laid the game out and puzzled for a couple of minutes then said "I haven't actually played the game before" then she asked the other assistant if she had played it before and the latter said she had not. I said "But you'll still be able to show me anyway, won't you?" Well they both puzzled over it. A customer came. I said please serve them first. I said that I was in no hurry. I said serve anyone who comes along, and that I would be prepared to wait as long as needed. Well, they tried for a good bit then were forced to admit defeat. I had to try to keep a straight face.
The assistant said under the circumstances she would get back on the phone. After the first call she said that the person on the other end had admitted that they had bought the game for Christmas but hadn't been able to understand it either. I was offered a £25 credit note. I said that is not acceptable to me, and that I want the money back. They had to make a second call. After second call I was told that Head Office say that the box has been opened so they can't re-sell it so it is a credit note or nothing. I said no I will not accept that as I feel this is totally unfair. I re-iterated that you obviously have to open the box to try to play the game. I said I am now going to contact Trading Standards. Fair play to both assistants, they were both totally sympathetic and said that they agreed with me. I thanked them both for their honesty in not trying to fob me off. Mind, I think it would have been hard considering they had been unable to work things out either.
One gave me two email addresses for Head Office. I will copy them in when I lodge my complaint with Trading Standards.
I will be working all day tomorrow and the next so this will be my task for Thursday .. the fight goes on!