CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Holly Grouse can only admire the nursery furniture she purchased for her baby through the store window.  The business where she placed the $2,500 order for a crib, dresser, nightstand and armoire went belly up.  USA Baby on South Boulevard declared bankruptcy one week ago.  Grouse placed her order in January and wants to know why the store was still doing business.  "Being a business owner, it's terrible. You gotta know you're going out of business. You gotta see it coming," says Grouse.

But attorney Jeffrey Dalrymple says, "You stay open, you keep taking orders, keep opening the doors and selling things and you always hope the business is gonna turn around."  He represents the husband and wife team who owned the store for 14 years.  The economy and big box stores derailed their business.  He says, "They feel horrible that people are out there on the hook, but at the same time, we are hopeful they're gonna get enough money to get these people their money back."

Dalrymple says there are about 100 customers still waiting to get refunds.  100 others who paid with credit cards were able to get the charges reversed.

Credit cards are the best protection in a situation like this, says Tom Bartholomy with the Better Business Bureau.  As for being able to look for warning signs before you make a purchase? He says there's really nothing you can do.  "There really isn't.  I hate to put it that bluntly, but companies go out of business," he says.  He does recommend checking the BBB website and Google searching a company before doing business with them.  USA Baby had an "A" rating with the BBB before filing for bankruptcy.

Grouse, due in April, was able to find a store that has agreed to price match, so she'll get the furniture she wants for her baby's nursery.  And lucky for her, she used a credit card at USA Baby.  She says, "We contacted our bank and they're willing to work with us."

The store's landlord has locked the doors and no one, not even the business owners, are allowed inside.  It could take six months for the remaining 100 or so customers to get their refunds, if they get them at all.