KEEN gardener Glen Horstman fears being left �200 out of pocket after purchasing patio furniture from a DIY store which later went into administration.
The 49-year-old ordered two sofas, a chair and a table from Focus DIY for the garden of his Leek home on May 1.
But the chain fell into administration days later.
Glen is now waiting to find out from administrators Ernst & Young if he will get his money back.
The sales manager said: "We bought quite a bit for the garden but the furniture wasn't in stock, so we ordered it and it was due to be delivered on June 6.
"I went back into the store when I heard it had gone into administration but was told I couldn't have my money back and I couldn't get goods to the same value.
"The staff didn't even know if I would get the furniture at all.
"I have left a message for the administrators but had no reply."
Glen has recently had a new patio laid at his Thomas Street home.
He bought the furniture from the chain's Leek branch, along with a gazebo and a wooden bench.
The furniture cost �199.99 and was paid for on his credit card.
Glen has also contacted his credit card company to see if it will refund his money.
He said: "If I am not going to get the furniture, I can get the money back from my credit card company but I can't spend another �200 somewhere else because the furniture may still turn up. I don't want to end up with two sets and a �400 bill.
"I'm in a difficult situation and can't be the only customer suffering."
Glen added: "I do have sympathy for people who may be losing their jobs but I want to know what will happen with my money.
" I'm out of pocket already because I have had to pay my credit card bill."
His wife Joanne, aged 42, who works as a cashier at Morrisons, said: "I am extremely disappointed.
"We have been trying to get the garden sorted for some time but we don't know if we will even get the furniture before the end of summer."
The Crewe-based firm called in the administrators last week after defaulting on a credit facility.
It put almost 4,000 jobs at risk, including about 1,000 in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire.
The figure includes employees at the company's headquarters on Westmere Drive and stores in Fenton, Tunstall, Trent Vale, Leek, Congleton, Nantwich and Uttoxeter.
Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q, has bought 31 stores from Focus, but it is not known which ones.
The purchased stores have around 700 staff in total, who will not be transferred to the new B&Q stores, but have been told they can apply for jobs there.
Kingfisher plans to refit the vacant properties and open them as new B&Q stores later in the year.
Staff at other Focus stores are still waiting to find out their fate. The stores are operating as normal.
Customers who have paid for goods, and have the receipt, can collect their goods if in stock.
Any others must contact the administrators on 0161 333 2863.
Focus's administrators were unavailable for comment.
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