Thinking about Rick's Carpet and Flooring Showcase, located on Route 1 in Alexandria, brings two "c"s to mind. The first "c" is for carpet, lots and lots of carpet, in a full range of styles and color. The second "c" is for the company's commitment to its customers and community. By combining the best product and the best service, the company has set the welcome mat out for those seeking a quality shopping experience.

Former owner of Trade and Wholesale Carpets and now General Manager of Rick's Carpet and Flooring Showcase, Jeff Puryear has run the business's daily operations since 1993. Jeff says the company's dedication to exemplary service has paid off. "It's amazing what customer care, hard work, and honesty will get you," he says. These attributes and the staff's attention to detail have resulted in customers and others taking notice. Rick's Carpet and Flooring Showcase received the Washington Post Consumer Checkbook magazine's highest rating. Satisfied customer referrals attract people from all around the Beltway to Rick's.

Jeff says a combination of product knowledge, a well stocked inventory, correctly assessing customers' needs, and ensuring proper installation, all work to make Rick's Carpet and Flooring Showcase a cut above the others. The store offers carpeting by such famous makers as Mohawk, Alladin, Shaw, Galaxy and other major brands, and prides itself on having one of the largest flooring selections in the area.

And carpeting is just the first of many flooring options at Rick's - a complete selection of vinyl, wood, and ceramic tile is also available. "We specialize in Pergo, Wilsonart and other laminated flooring," says Jeff.

The staff's professionalism at Rick's Carpet and Flooring Showcase is also exceptional. If you are unsure of what to look for in a carpet or flooring item, Rick's friendly and knowledgeable sales staff can help you make the right decision. "Customers are constantly saying that they get an education when they come and talk to us," says Jeff. "That education is what allows them to make a good purchasing decision."

Jeff "Mr. Service" and his dedicated staff are ready to serve all your flooring needs.

More and more chain stores and hardware stores try to enter into carpet sales but cannot offer the level of service necessary to success. "Here at Rick's, we know that to provide customers with the level of service they deserve, we have to be involved in the whole process, from selection to final installation," says Jeff. A long-time resident in the Route 1 area, Jeff brings years of experience to the customers at Rick's.

As a result of years of working closely with carpet and flooring mills, Jeff is able to make special arrangements on out of stock products and special orders. The mills routinely cut the waiting time for orders by as much as half the usual two weeks. "We are sometimes able to get orders in three to five days and to install the order in another three to five days," he says.

Customer service does not end once a customer makes a purchase at Rick's. The correct installation of the carpeting or other types of flooring is just as important. The store's installers are trained, experienced and reliable - because they work for the company.

"We take our commitment to our customers very seriously," says Jeff. "My family and I have lived in this area all our lives, our kids go to the same schools our customers' kids go to - we shop at the same stores." This commitment to the community is why the company's slogan is so fitting, "Carpet People Who Care."