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Though not as successful as in the early '80s, local computer retailers continue to survive the current high-tech industries' downswing by applying upgraded retailing techniques such as improved customer service, and revised basic advertising methods.

Atlanta Stove Works Inc. has made cast iron wood-burning stoves for 95 years. When stove sales fell after the energy crisis ended, president Oscar Wisely cut costs and expanded product lines to include cookware, lawn furniture and custom castings. The company is profitable.

Buypass the System provides retailers with a Tandem computer terminal which searches a data base of hot credit cards and clears the transaction from a customer's account to the retailer's bank account. Capable of 80,000 transactions per day, president John Festa believes he can lower the costs of using credit cards for everyone.