Stainmaster contest winner gets 'Trading Spaces' star for in-store

Vern Yip of the home makeover show 'Trading Spaces' discusses carpet selection with Chris Hansen and her husband Mark The couple were among those drawn to America's Carpet in Fairfield, Calif., for an in-store appearance sponsored by Stainmaster which offered Yip's appearance as the top prize in a drawing at Surfaces.

Vern Yip flanked by owners Tim Greer and Roy Hellickson.

The folks at America's Carpet in Fairfield, Calif., say it was the biggest thing to happen in the six years they have been opened: Vern Yip, from the home makeover program "Trading Spaces" recently spend nearly three hours at the store answering questions, signing autographs and even offering advice to shoppers. It turned out to be the busiest Saturday the store has ever had.

"It was just fantastic," recalls Renee Greer who operates the store along with her husband Tim Greer and their partner Roy Hellickson. "Vern was just so personable and knowledgeable, not one of these stuck up celebrities. We had dozens of people come in and we closed two or three sales because of him. It was really exciting"

The in-store appearance was awarded as the grand prize in a sweepstakes conducted by Invista's Stainmaster brand at Surfaces in LasVegas. Renee said she contacted every media outlet in the California city 40 miles west of Sacramento and bought ads on the local radio station to promote the event.