Grand re-opening of the Sears store in Herkimer

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By GARY LIBERATORE

Story Created: Nov 22, 2008 at 6:15 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 22, 2008 at 8:20 PM EDT

HERKIMER, N.Y. (WKTV) - A huge grand re-opening of the Sears store in Herkimer was held Saturday morning.

A ribbon cutting took place at exactly 10:00 with many area political leaders on hand to congratulate the new local owners.

The store has been there for 12 years, and the new owners, Richard and Terry Virkler say it was tough to get financing to buy the store, it actually took them more than a year to do so.

The Virklers say the competition in the area is strong, competing with big box stores like Lowes, but they believe being locally owned, they hope to provide better service to customers.

And even in this current economic climate, they expect to do well, because they say everyone needs appliances.

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Monday, Nov 24 at 9:03 PM Chipper wrote ...

Good luck.... Hope the new owners don't run the store into the ground.....

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Monday, Nov 24 at 9:01 PM Local Yocal wrote ...

Hope they do OK. But, customer service is very important..... If they don't honor warranties and work with customers after their original purchase, then they won't be open for long. So, best of luck to the new owners, but remember the customers who will take a chance on you and make or break your success. Don't nickel and dime your customers by overlooking the dollars that are spent in your store.

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Sunday, Nov 23 at 9:37 PM Ted wrote ...

Its important to keep your business local. Supporting the "chain stores" who import most of their wares from China are what got us in this national financial crisis anyhow. What company made your gas guzzeling SUV anyway? Be thankful that there are still local places in Herkimer that you can get appliances other than Wal-Mart, K-mart and Lowes!!!!

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Sunday, Nov 23 at 3:02 PM Disgruntled from Ilion... wrote ...

My parents went in there shortly after buying an appliance from them to inquire about a warranty (extended). Previous owner would have honored it (and did so on many occasions over the years). This guy? Ummm, geee, I didn't know it had, nope, can't help 'ya, not gonna do it, should have got it before you left. Excuse me Mr. Salesman, shouldn't you have offered it prior to them leaving? Or do you routinely take advantage of the elderly?

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Sunday, Nov 23 at 10:37 AM appliance man wrote ...

i personally worked for the previous owner asa repair man and installer and would work there again under the new owners but you can blame the new owners for the previous owner who didnt want to pay people to work

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Saturday, Nov 22 at 11:49 PM Small? wrote ...

It's not like they're not backed by a large corporation. I have done good bit of business there after buying my house. Exercise equipment, range and lawnmower and I have only had a good experience with them. I will more than likely go there for a snowblower, I am willing to pay a few more dollars to keep the money at least somewhat local.

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Saturday, Nov 22 at 8:58 PM Tim wrote ...

I know from my experience so far they have been terrible to work with. I bought a dryer opened it and found the door would not open. They did not want to exchange it. I had to call the national chain who forced them to accept a return and then the chain sent a new dryer to me. I will never do business there!

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Saturday, Nov 22 at 8:51 PM YTMND wrote ...

True, everyone needs appliances, it's who has them the cheapest in this economy that will dictate who survives. I predict a failure within a year. Big name stores........small guys one weakness.

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