RETAILERS HAPPY WITH Y2K

Area retailers have more than one reason to be happy about the new millennium: no computer problems and increased sales.

Electrical generators, batteries and various types of heaters sold in greater numbers as 1999 came to a close, said Randy Sander of Sander's True Value Hardware store.

The same was true for Wal-Mart stores in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, as well as Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse.

"We saw an increase in things like batteries, flashlights, and things like that," said James Bolin of Jackson's Wal-Mart.

And unlike unwanted Christmas gifts, these Y2K presents that people bought for themselves and their families are staying put.

"We're not seeing a lot of returned items," Bolin said. "But these are the type of things that people would be using anyway."

Even more expensive goods like $400 electric generators aren't being returned, a representative of Lowe's in Cape Girardeau said. Sales on kerosene heaters, generators and personal safes have been higher than normal over the last two months of the year, he said.

Jim Seyer, manger for Cape Girardeau's Wal-Mart, did get one electric generator returned.

"I handled it myself," Seyer said. "But that was one that was purchased by an employee who had recently lost his job. I think it had more to do with vengeance on his part."

Thermal blankets, batteries and candles of all types were more popular this year, he said.

"We even had an increase in gun sales at the end of the year, for some strange reason," Seyer said.

Sander saw sales begin to grow in November, then slow down in the middle of December.

"It seemed like people were trying to get out and buy early," he said.

Sander had made plans to have more products on hand to handle anticipated Y2K needs. It worked, except for electric generators.

"We ran out at the beginning of November," he said, citing a problem with his store's supplier. "We might have sold more if we had them."

Purchases of extra batteries were never expected to be returned, since it's a hassle for most people to bring small purchases back, he said.

No one brought back electrical generators.

"People were saying that it was something that they had needed to buy for a few years, and this gave them an excuse," Sanders said.

Stores in areas with higher population centers would probably get more items returned, he said, but buyers who live outside city limits can always find a use for heaters and generators.

Seyer reasoned that customers were simply thinking ahead.

"A lot of people remember storms we've had before, like last May," he said. "They might be thinking that if it happened then, it'll happen again."

But if anyone overprepared and is now overcrowded with Y2K goods, a number of area organizations say they could use donations.