A shocked shopper has revealed how badly customer service “sucked” at Argos after he ordered a vacuum cleaner but received a box containing two bricks instead.

Tony Challis purchased the item online and picked it up from Argos, Bocking End, Braintree, on Saturday morning before taking it home.

But at some point the Vax Blade had been replaced with the bricks.

When he tried to return it store staff refused the refund until The Times and Trading Standards got involved.

Mr Challis said: “I was livid when I first opened it to be honest, because you do not expect to pay £150 for two bricks.

"It seemed Argos was saying that, basically more or less, I have done this myself.

"I think it is disgusting the level of customer service I received.”

Originally bosses refused to back down leaving Mr Challis with two very expensive bricks sitting at his home in Rue Des Jeunes, Braintree.

He had purchased it on his Argos card.

“It is a considerable amount of money but I told them I am refusing to pay anything off until I actually receive my item,” he said. “When I received the box it was sealed, but only with three bits of Sellotape.”

After being contacted by the newspaper Argos agreed to refund Mr Challis the full amount, but he still does not have his cordless vacuum cleaner.

“I am relived but at the end of the day it has been a nightmare what I have had to go through to get it sorted,” he said.

"I have spent hours on the phone to customer services and I even drove all the way to Chelmsford because they told me I could exchange it at that store, but they changed their minds.

"I want people to be aware, and if something looks unsealed, check it before you leave the shop.”