Old-time TV store offers newest technology

Donald “Don” R. Nealon and his wife, Sharon, inside their store Schilling T.V. and Satellite.

PITTSFIELD – Schilling T.V. and Satellite, at 215 Fourth St., a family business that has seen both the best and worst of  times, has been serving Berkshire County and beyond for the past 64 years.

Personal service, competitive prices, delivery and set up and peace of mind are all offered to customers, said Schilling Manager Donald “Don” R. Nealon, a Lenox native and resident. He knows anything there is to know about the industry, from sales to service and everything in between.

He runs the store with his wife, Sharon, a Chesterfield native. She also does the company’s books.

Service what they sell

“We are also one of the few [companies] out there ‘servicing,’” Mrs. Nealon said.

The business services customers throughout Berkshire County as well as some in Connecticut, New York and Vermont.

Mr. Nealon said he’s been coming to the Fourth Street store since he was five years old, at the side of his father, Donald “Don” J. Nealon, also of Lenox.

The young Mr. Nealon earned an associate’s degree in electronics and then went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business from American International College in Springfield.

Throughout all of his studies, he frequently came back to Pittsfield to help out in the store. After graduation, he joined the business full-force.

Unfortunate accident

The business faced a serious roadblock last March when a teenage driver crashed her car into the main showroom.

“Twenty TVs went bust,” Mrs. Nealon said. “It was a disaster.”

Since the accident, major repairs have had to be made at Schilling. For example, the business needed a new roof, new flooring and re-enforcement in the cellar.

“We replaced an entire wall with windows,” Mrs. Nealon said. “It’s been truly amazing. We couldn’t sell for two and a half months.”

Still, the business never closed for a single day.

Even today, eight months since the accident, the Nealons are still battling with insurance companies to cover the costs of fixing the building.

Have four children

The Nealons continue to work long hours and serve customers. The young couple has four children including Olivia, 13 years old; Donnie, 11; Emma Grace, nine; and Anna, six.

“They keep us busy,” Mrs. Nealon said.

Just like his father helped his grandfather, Donnie is often in the store, helping his father, in a classic case of history repeating itself. The other kids also can frequently be found helping out at Schilling.

Mrs. Nealon smiled and said she and her husband get the kids working early so they can develop a work ethic.

Makes sure it’s up and running

When a customer buys a flat-screen TV from Schilling, it comes with a complete set-up. Mr. Nealon personally makes sure it’s installed, up and running. In addition, he educates the customer on how to operate it.

Sometimes modern technology can be confusing for people. When that happens, Mr. Nealon explains each detail. It’s the kind of one-on-one service big name stores are often unable to offer, he said.

Schilling T.V. and Satellite offers extended warranties, and if something should go wrong with a set, “we can fix it,” Mr. Nealon said.

“If customers have questions, we are here,” he added. “We are an old-time TV store.”

In addition, according to their website, Schilling also has “the best selection of televisions equipped with the best cutting edge technology on the market.”

The store offers name brands such as LG, Mitsubishi, Sharp and Toshiba.

An authorized dealer

An authorized dealer, Schilling offers DIRECTV, DISH Network and HughesNet satellite internet.

In a lot of places, such as the hilltowns, if there is no Verizon, Mr. Nealon will help customers find alternatives.  He will even install antennas for free over-the-air digital TV reception.

In the Fourth Street television showroom, where one sees small as well as almost movie-screen-sized sets, prices can range from $150 to well more than $2,000. Schilling sells used sets, as well, at good discount prices, Mr. Nealon said, so there are sets to accommodate almost every budget.

Keeps up with changes

Don Nealon constantly keeps up with changes in the entertainment equipment industry. He reads all the latest magazines, attends conferences and stays in contact with distributors.

These days, the senior Mr. Nealon and his wife, Jean, stop into the store but leave the actual running of it to Don and Sharon Nealon.

“It’s working,” Mrs. Nealon said of the family business, and will continue to do so for a long time to come.

College and weddings in the future

She said they have to think about funding four college educations and three weddings in the future.

During the upcoming holiday season, such as on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) and for Christmas, Schilling will offer all kinds of specials for people who want televisions.

They will even supply great big bows in gold, red or silver.

Posted by Susan M. Wicker Guerrero on November 15, 2012. Filed under Community News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry