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FROM ICEBOXES TO SMART REFRIGERATORS that keep track of the groceries stored inside, the family that start- ed Earl B. Feiden Appliance has witnessed a lot of changes in past century. The one consistent factor since the company was founded in 1926 in Latham, NY, however, has been attentive customer service.
Brian Snyder, general manager of all three stores, has worked for Earl B. Feiden Appliance since he was a teenager. He said the secret to the retailer’s longevity is making sure the staff is knowledgeable through constant training, and always treating staff like family.
Earl B. Feiden Appliance continues to grow and offer the latest in innovative tech- nology for home appliances with a selection of more than 50 brands, from those names families have known for gen- erations to state-of-the-art professional grade products that satisfy even the most dis- criminating tastes of 21st cen- tury customers.
“Because we sell so many brands we’re able to roll with the times,” Snyder said. “We can adjust with the market from apartment work to high end luxury residences. We
IAC Chapter Dealer Feature
Earl B. Feiden Appliance:
90 Years Old and Stronger Than Ever BY JUDY KNEISZEL
The company evolved from the ice and coal delivery business of the early 1900s. Ice was harvested from a pond on the family farm and delivered to homes by horse and wagon for what was then an icebox. As new mechanical refrigerators were introduced, Earl B. Feiden responded to the growing interest from his customers and abandoned the ice business. He trans- formed the family garage into a showroom for new electric appliances and radios.
18 Year Old Earl B Feiden
With demand for ap-
pliances growing, the business soon outgrew the family garage and in 1947, Earl B. Feiden Appliance opened its new location at the Latham Circle site, which the store still oper- ates from today.
In 1986, Earl B. Feiden Appliance expanded to the south and opened a store on Broadway in Kingston, NY to serve cus- tomers throughout the Hudson Valley Region. Most recently, in 2011, Earl B. Feiden Appliance has expanded into Saratoga County, opening a third store in Clifton Park.
serve customers who want to buy Maytag because they’ve bought Maytag forever, and young people who want Samsung because it’s in their hand. Many generations of the same fami- lies come back and buy from us.”
He said the job of the sales staff is to educate customers about price, warranty and service.
“We sell everything from basic apartment style appliances to top-of-the-line appliances from brands like Wolf and Sub- Zero,” Snyder said. “Because we carry such a large number
DECEMBER 2016 NECO News 35