Earl B. Feiden: Pioneers, still blazing trails
You may not be surprised to learn that two members of Earl B. Feiden’s sales team graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. But have you considered purchasing appliances from firemen or a retired detective?
Guy Jordan, sales manager in Latham, has been with the team for 20 years. “Before Earl B. Feiden, I worked for 20 years in food and beverage. Many of us have decades of industry experience; either starting here or finding our way later on. But overall, we’re an incredibly diverse group, and being people-centered is the primary qualification.” Earl’s diversified team is here to put customer’s needs first. When someone visits a showroom saying their current appliance isn’t working, sales staff will offer a repair technician to diagnose first; often saving hundreds or thousands over a replacement. Customers at Earl B. Feiden have access to an unbeatable selection at better prices than big box stores. Brad Feiden, working with his dad Earl Jr, managed this by joining two national appliance buying groups in the 1980s to leverage the same volume discounts as larger corporations. “Bring in your budget, and we’ll come up with a package price that fits your needs.” promises Brad.
In recent years, Capital Region contractors have relied on Earl B. Feiden when they require truckloads of appliances to be installed on time and on budget. “We never push anyone,” says Brad. “We don’t need to. We can get whatever you want; our computers show you the prices from everywhere. We’re very transparent. And we have a ton of good people in all areas of operation.” One of those good people, Brad’s son Bradley, has -- to Brad’s great delight -- worked in every department in the process of stepping into a leadership role. Along with showcasing innovative products, Earl’s three stores have hosted numerous cooking demonstrations, professional design workshops with the National Kitchen and Bath Association, and events for regional builder associations. “If an architect, a designer or their client has a base in or a connection to NYC, they often prefer to see appliances there.” says Katherine Boyle, who divides her time between the Kingston store and the Architects & Designers Building in Manhattan; 11 stories filled with flagship premium brands. Anyone seeking the perfect look for their second home in the Lower Hudson Valley, Connecticut or Berkshires can consult with Katherine.
Makers of fine appliances have standards that dealers must meet to carry their products. A truly exceptional example is the La Cornue Chateau range. Handcrafted in a workshop outside Paris, they are available in 8,000 configurations and can cost $150,000. As functional as they are beautiful,
La Cornue Chateau ranges are works of art. “When Joanna
Gaines featured the Chateau on her show, we received five orders the following week.” says
Bradley Feiden.
Their team was put to the test as an essential business during COVID; mastering remote work and tight staffing, developing website chat and maneuvering supply chain issues. “During the pandemic, everybody stepped up for one another and the customers,” says system administrator Kyle Plante. “There’s a slogan we adopted in the service department. I think we all realized it applies to the entire company. ‘We got this... since 1926.’ Because we do.”
This is Part II in a 4-part series. Please see Part III in next week’s
Albany Times Union.