Shopping Local Merchants

Posted by Laura Scarborough on June 10, 2009 - 11:04am
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I recently shopped at the Corner Vacuum Shop (Dick Mortellaro's) located at 328 Ellicott St, Batavia.  You see, I had bought my vacuum at Walmart about 6 mos ago.  It's a Eureka, an item that Walmart has been stocking for quite a while.  I've been wanting to change the filter, but found that Walmart does not stock the part to support this big ticket item I bought from them.  I was not very happy.

Instead of going online to try and find the filter, Howard's articles of shopping local popped into my head.  Also, I remembered someone blogging about buying a good used vacuum there and they were pleased w/the customer service.

I called the Corner Vacuum Shop and explained what I needed.  They knew exactly what I needed, and took my phone number.  They called back within 15 min saying they just happened to have the part on hand.  I went right away to pick up the filter, taking my dirty filter to compare size.  As soon as I walked in the door with my filter, the man at the counter reached under the counter and pulled out the cleaner version... he knew exactly who I was and what I wanted without me saying more then I just called him.  He even cleaned out the filter holder w/the air hose w/out me thinking to ask.

I told them they should probably stock this filter and other parts for vacuums that the local Walmart is selling and not supporting as I would tell everyone about my experience(I am keeping my promise through this blog).  He said If he does not have a part in stock,  he orders on Monday's and gets delivery on Tuesdays.  Also, I parked on the street right in front of the store and was in/out with my purchase in under 10 minutes.

Posted by Howard Owens on June 10, 2009 - 11:27am
I spoke with Dick the other day, and he said he has had eight customers in recently who bought vacuums from him and specifically mentioned they were shopping his store rather Wal-Mart. He knows about the discussions of his store on The Batavian, but he did not specifically attribute the string of Wal-Mart avoiding customers on The Batavian. But I'd like to think that is the case.
Posted by Andrew Erbell on June 10, 2009 - 11:37am
I don't know that I'd go that far. We've shopped there/had repairs done there over the years and Dick will gladly tell you what he thinks of Wal-Mart, and KMart before them, to anyone in the store, whether the customer brings it up or not.
Posted by Gabor Deutsch on June 10, 2009 - 11:58am
Last wendsday I happened to be shopping at the "W" store to pick up some items I cant find in small shops. I had an urgent need for vacuum bags since I had company coming over the next day and wanted to get the very last usage out of my primitavie vaccum. I went to the section where they stock all the bags and to my shock it was completely empty. A worker was on the floor in the same isle pricing things and i asked where are the vacuum bags. I was told that they just came in and the boxes needed to be checked. I was told to come back tomorrow. It would be to late tomorrow i mumbled. My friend suggested we try "K" store since we were on that side of town. I couldnt find the exact bag I needed and for over 6 bucks I wasnt willing to gamble. I went down to the cornor store vac shop and got the exact bags i needed. i didnt have time to shop for my old vacuums replacement but I will definately go there from now on.