ASHTABULA -- Alana Miller remembers selling her first item at her Dad’s store, Barter House, 1477 Bridge St., when she was only 5 years old.
“I think I sold a blender or a popcorn maker,” Miller said who has been managing the store for the past 11 years. “I grew up in the store, I have always loved working here along side my Dad, Alan Lampela.”
Lampela began Barter House 32 years ago with a customer service philosophy committed to meeting the customer’s needs at the lowest prices possible.
In today’s present economy when other businesses are struggling, Barter House is thriving because people are looking for quality products at reduced prices.
“Our sales are up despite of the slow economy because even though people are hurting they still need to get home improvement projects done,” Lampela said. “People are shopping harder to get more for their money, and we are shopping harder to find these deals for them.”
Barter House buys factory direct carpet, flooring and bedding and passes the savings along to their customers.
“If you can walk on it or sleep on it, we’ve got it for less,” Lampela said.
Flooring available includes carpet, vinyl, laminate, tile, wood and fiber flooring. Fiber flooring is a popular thick product that can go over existing flooring without the need for a new sub-floor.
“We stock a lot of the carpet that we buy, and we buy top of the line designer roll-ends or remnants, and we hand pick what we want,” Miller said. “What was normally $36 a yard, our customers will get for $15 to $18 a yard, and that includes installation.”
Barter House does not have hidden costs and they do not charge for installation details like transitions, door sweeps, tack strips or upholstered stairs.
“These are all free,” Lampela said. “The big box stores and some carpet stores charge for these services, but we do not, we absorb those costs for our customers to give them a break during these tough times.”
Barter House has fazed out the furniture aspect of their business and is expanding the mattress gallery.
“Our factory direct buying of bedding saves our customers huge amounts of money on quality mattress sets,” he said. “Symbol is our number one name brand that we sell.”
Specialty oak furniture novelties are still available.
The keys to the success at Barter House is service, quality products, affordable prices and a marketing strategy.
“It does not end for us after a sale is made or carpet has been installed,” Miller said. “We go back after every job to make sure the customer is happy and has no concerns.”
Barter House has their own in-house installation crews.
Lampela has enjoyed his business all these years because he loves working with the customers and seeing a beautiful finished product.
“He enjoys a project from start to finish, and he is a people person,” Miller said.
“People do not buy flooring often and it is a big deal to them, and they deserve someone to guide them through the process,” Lampela said.
“I have always loved this business and working with my Dad,” Miller said. “I plan to follow in his footsteps.”
Barter House’s hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. Call for more information at 440-964-7770.
