But then again, I live in an area where I guess more people think about their local economy.
In New Paltz there is an appliance store that has been around for longer than the 30+ years that I have lived here. There's another TWO that have been around for a long time in nearby Walden, NY. There are at least one each in Kingston, and Saugerties as well.
You just have to know the local area around here to know who, and where they are.
I am sure that in nearby Poughkeepsie, Middletown, and Newburgh, there are local appliance stores too.
Granted, this isn't Montana, or North Dakota, or some other out of the way place, but local stores are coming back here, as people are essentially fed up with the lack of service in the big box stores. When we want good service, knowledgeable sales staff, and a reasonable price, we go to the local store, NOT the big box.
For instance, around the corner from where I work, in Poughkeepsie, there is a hardware store that has been in business for over 100 years! EVERYONE goes there. You can ask any of the sales staff where something is, and they will either know where it is, or know that they don't have it, and will order it for you and have it within a couple of days. I can go there on my lunch time, and get something I need and be in and out of the place in a very short time. None of this, "It's not my department, go ask so-and-so," Business, like in Home Despot, or Blowes.
Like I stated, people around here are getting fed up with the lack of helpfulness, and service from the sales people at the big box stores. This will eventually be their downfall.