Tractor Supply Co

[WayneB]

Any reports from Grand Opening Day at Merrimack, New Hampshire???

Most importantly, any good discounts or sales???

Dougster

Well, I am not too sure how much of a report I can give you, but I did manage to get there yesterday and spent a good amount of time there. I was hoping to see the KK bushhog and rototiller! They have two 5' tillers and only two finish mowers, no bushhogs.

Manager told me that they would have to special order any of the summer type impliements now as they are moving into the fall and winter stuff.

Key reason for going was to purchase a big item and when they didn't have what I wanted and they were not sure how long it would take to get the time, I was a bit let down.

Bunch of good stuff there. Many little things like hardware, tractor paint, hand tools and etc. Fun to look around and I am sure after the initial impact of first days open things will smooth out for them and the people looking for stuff!

The four foot KK rototiller with slip clutch is priced at $995, but it was a special order pay up front item. Same with the KK rotary cutter at 698.

It was Saturday afternoon and there were many people walking around, but I expected more to be there. No problem finding parking and all of the workers were very friendly (not sure if they know a whole bunch about tractor stuff (?)) I don't know much either so we sort-of got along okay.

I have often heard my brother-in-law tell how great TSC is and that he spends lots of time there. Well, now I can tell him how great it is and I also spend lots of time there.... He has a nicer tractor than I do!

I thought of it as a big-boys toy store!

 

[Bedlam]

#3 sounds like the TSC located near my house. I spent 30min looking for a tire valve adapter and I only saw 1 person actually working in the store the whole time I was in there. I finally had to wait in line at the register to see if he could help me. When I finally was able to ask, the only response I could get was "Why would you want to put liquid in your tires? I've never heard of that." I hate to say it but my local TSC is a joke. I was excited when it opened, now I cringe if I have to go there. Hope your store gets some respectable management, good luck.

Sounds like the box stores. Customer service is gone.shopping should be a good experience.But I guess we need to lok at the god times when we shop. I tend to have to make a point , to remember when I ask, and get service. Yesterday, I had great service at Lowes cutting some glass. But tommorrw might bring a completely different setting.
Simply unreal about the liquids tho..
Al

 

[jbrumberg]

I have been generally less than impressed with the two TSC stores with which I have dealt. The salespeople although trying to be helpful were not knowledgeable about the various product lines, and in one case the salesperson totally "misrepresented" the merchandise . TSC stores like any other are only as good as the management and staff training. I gave up on service a long time ago (If I provided service like I usually receive from others I would be unemployed .). Jay

 

[Dougster]

Well, I am not too sure how much of a report I can give you, but I did manage to get there yesterday and spent a good amount of time there. I was hoping to see the KK bushhog and rototiller! They have two 5' tillers and only two finish mowers, no bushhogs.

Manager told me that they would have to special order any of the summer type implements now as they are moving into the fall and winter stuff.

Key reason for going was to purchase a big item and when they didn't have what I wanted and they were not sure how long it would take to get the time, I was a bit let down.

Bunch of good stuff there. Many little things like hardware, tractor paint, hand tools and etc. Fun to look around and I am sure after the initial impact of first days open things will smooth out for them and the people looking for stuff!

The four foot KK rototiller with slip clutch is priced at $995, but it was a special order pay up front item. Same with the KK rotary cutter at 698.

It was Saturday afternoon and there were many people walking around, but I expected more to be there. No problem finding parking and all of the workers were very friendly (not sure if they know a whole bunch about tractor stuff (?)) I don't know much either so we sort-of got along okay.

I have often heard my brother-in-law tell how great TSC is and that he spends lots of time there. Well, now I can tell him how great it is and I also spend lots of time there.... He has a nicer tractor than I do!

I thought of it as a big-boys toy store!

Great report Wayne... and guess what? I was up there Saturday afternoon as well. We probably passed one another in the aisle!

And I will only correct you on one point! There were not two 5-foot KK tillers there. There was one 5-footer and one 6-footer. The reason that I know this is that I bought the 6-footer! You probably came by after the manager removed the 6-footer's sale tag and assumed they were both the same size. They were side-by-side rather than back-to-back so one could easily mistake one for the other!

Anyway... $300.00 off (Manager's Special!!!) plus no sales tax??? I could not resist. It was also uncrated and appeared to be in reasonably decent shape for a KK implement... far better than the beat up stuff I found down in Griswold, CT. It was missing the PTO drive. Manager (Scott) has the missing PTO drive on back order. Scott was willing to give me the PTO drive off the 5-footer, but it was the new black type (Made in Italy) that supposedly has been failing all over the place. I am hoping and praying that the replacement I get is of the old yellow type (Made in Spain) that reportedly has been problem-free. If I do get the black one, I suppose I should think about buying a backup drive right away so that I don't lose the drive in the middle of a paying job.

I will only add that I too was very disappointed by the 3-point selection. As you point out, they are already thinking fall and winter... plus Scott mentioned that so many new TSC stores were opening that KK & FF implements were in serious short supply. He was clearly a little embarrassed by how little yellow equipment was sitting in his yard.

All and all, it was a real pleasure shopping in a new, nicely stocked TSC... with no sales tax to worry about. I bought a number of things... all I could carry... plus I will be buying more when I return with the trailer to pickup the tiller. Alan's suggestion that I use TSC horse pads in lieu of a UHMW poly liner for transporting concrete demo debris in my dump trailer looks like it might be a very workable idea.

Thank you TSC for opening your first store in the sales tax-free land of "Live Free or Die"!!!

Dougster

 

[shvl73]

Dougster,
I was there as well, and the tag was still on the 6' tiller so, I must have been just before you. I think you got a good deal. Its good to have one so close. I've been in quite a few different ones in my travels, they're all pretty much the same, friendly staff and I don't expect them to be too knowledgable. Its really kind of the Wal-Mart of farm stores.

 

[Dougster]

Dougster,
I was there as well, and the tag was still on the 6' tiller so, I must have been just before you. I think you got a good deal. Its good to have one so close. I've been in quite a few different ones in my travels, they're all pretty much the same, friendly staff and I don't expect them to be too knowledgable. Its really kind of the Wal-Mart of farm stores.

Sounds like we should have had a meeting of the TBN New England Division!!!

Dougster

 

[WayneB]

Darn maybe we should have all gotten together...........I looked at the two tillers sitting there and thought they were both 5 footers. I also felt they looked pretty clean and the paint seemed to be in good shape. keep us updated on the tiller!

No brush cutters sort-of too bad as I am sure people will be looking right up to first snow! This morning it was in the 40's (hight 40's) here and the darn heat came on! So I guess it won't be too long and we will be getting the snow blower ready.

Not doing a brand name comparison what so ever, but I must say it is nice to look at equipment that is under 1000 dollars!

Wayne

 

[Dougster]

Darn maybe we should have all gotten together...........I looked at the two tillers sitting there and thought they were both 5 footers. I also felt they looked pretty clean and the paint seemed to be in good shape. keep us updated on the tiller!

No brush cutters sort-of too bad as I am sure people will be looking right up to first snow! This morning it was in the 40's (hight 40's) here and the darn heat came on! So I guess it won't be too long and we will be getting the snow blower ready.

Not doing a brand name comparison what so ever, but I must say it is nice to look at equipment that is under 1000 dollars!

Wayne

Oh, the runs were certainly there in the yellow paint... a famous "KK" trademark ... but not nearly as bad as some and the rust was minimal. Nothing badly bent or in need of replacement either. And I've even got a chance at getting a PTO drive that actually works!

And $300.00 off plus no sales tax!!! How can a "dirt poor" guy like me pass on a deal like that???

Yes, time to start planning for winter. I'm sure TSC doesn't want to see a pile of bush-hogs buried all winter under some of your New Hampshire snow. Still, you'd figure they could have gotten one or two of them up there for the grand opening!

Dougster

 

[Ductape]

Sheesh ! I was on my way to So. Willow St. on saturday to run a couple of errands..... and i said to myself, "Self..... you should jump off @ Rt. 3 and check out TSC ". But..... since i was already going past the exit when i said it, i just kept motoring figuring i'll head down there after the mall. Well.... it was around 5 when i left the mall, and i figured they probably closed at 5 anyway... so it looks like i'll have to check it out on Monday. Too bad for me, i coulda had a brush with fame, with all you TBNers all there on the same day !

 

[WayneB]

Well, I just happen to have a sales meeting in Nashua Monday and just to save the 75 cents toll I will go up the old route 3 and heck just as well stop in and take another look. I can see this happening more often until I get sick of the place.

I just might pull the trigger on either the bush hog or tiller. I put the money aside for one of them so just as well spend it before it burns a hole in my pocket.

Well, I am not sure if there is such a thing as the TBN New England Division, but it would be cool to get together. Now as far as Ductape goes, I can't believe you would go to TSC and spend money! After the yard sale purchase you just made. Wife must be really good to you!!

Wayne

 

[Ductape]

Well, I just happen to have a sales meeting in Nashua Monday and just to save the 75 cents toll I will go up the old route 3 and heck just as well stop in and take another look. I can see this happening more often until I get sick of the place.

I just might pull the trigger on either the bush hog or tiller. I put the money aside for one of them so just as well spend it before it burns a hole in my pocket.

Well, I am not sure if there is such a thing as the TBN New England Division, but it would be cool to get together. Now as far as Ductape goes, I can't believe you would go to TSC and spend money! After the yard sale purchase you just made. Wife must be really good to you!!

Wayne

Wayne, just buy both !! You know you need them !!

I will admit that Whats-Her-Name is good to me. She doesn't ever give me any guff about buying tractor stuff, or tools or the like. But i don't buy it if its not going to serve a legitimate purpose around here.... what we get for buying a hundred and thirty year old house. She also knows i look high and low for a good deal if i'm going to spend money. I'm not rich like Dougster ! ;-)

If you stop there tomorrow, look for my blue, old body style F-350..... with a golden retriever waiting patiently inside.

 

[BizDoc]

I'm interested in how this tiller from TSC works out. I inquired with a few people regarding the implements from TSC, namely the tillers vs other name brand tillers and they said they were of a lesser quality, but I'm only going to use them for some food plots and dont want to pay the price of a Kuhn or NH tiller. Good info on the end of season pricing, I'm going to have to go over to my local TSC to check out the tillers to see if they have theirs on sale also.

 

[bobmisi]

A new tractor supply store is being built in Putnam, Ct, just off 395 so you Mass. guys won't have so far to drive, and I'll be able to drive my tractor there to go Christmas shopping for the wife. See ya there...................

 

[Dougster]

She also knows i look high and low for a good deal if i'm going to spend money. I'm not rich like Dougster ! ;-)

Rich like the Dougster??? Oh man, are you off the mark!!! Look up or Google the term "Dirt Poor" and you are likely to find a reference to the poor old Dougster from Taxachusetts! Sometimes they even include my picture.

Some say I invented the concept. Others say I just perfected it. Either way, you will never find a "dirt poorer" person than moi!

Dougster

 

[SPYDERLK]

I'm interested in how this tiller from TSC works out. I inquired with a few people regarding the implements from TSC, namely the tillers vs other name brand tillers and they said they were of a lesser quality, but I'm only going to use them for some food plots and dont want to pay the price of a Kuhn or NH tiller. Good info on the end of season pricing, I'm going to have to go over to my local TSC to check out the tillers to see if they have theirs on sale also.

I have the 60" KK tiller with the yellow PTO shaft and slip clutch. I run 45HP thru it - no problems in 3 yrs and it has stalled the tractor a couple times.
larry

 

[Dougster]

I'm interested in how this tiller from TSC works out. I inquired with a few people regarding the implements from TSC, namely the tillers vs other name brand tillers and they said they were of a lesser quality, but I'm only going to use them for some food plots and dont want to pay the price of a Kuhn or NH tiller. Good info on the end of season pricing, I'm going to have to go over to my local TSC to check out the tillers to see if they have theirs on sale also.

Much has been written here on TBN about the infamous King Kutter gear-drive tillers. Some swear by them. Some about them. Some feel they are the greatest bargain since the purchase of Manhattan. Others say you get what you pay for. Recently there was a discussion about the new black-colored PTO drives being problematic or defective. To the best of my knowledge, there were very few complaints about the older yellow ones. I don't know if the drive problem has since been resolved, although folks reported good cooperation from TSC on replacing defective ones.

I started out to buy one in a CT store many months ago and backed out over issues largely related to poor equipment condition and probable mistreatment by TSC personnel. I then turned to other sources and manufacturers of tillers, domestic and imported. At one point, I was convinced that a lighter, cheaper offset machine might fit my needs better. But in the end, folks in the know almost unanimously said I would be better off with a full-sized tiller. I did a LOT of shopping... including with the very good folks down at CCM... but in the end, my very thin wallet ruled and I've now ended up with KK (albeit in much better condition and far cheaper than the one I was trying to purchase in CT). Only time will tell whether or not this was a wise or foolish decision.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

A new tractor supply store is being built in Putnam, Ct, just off 395 so you Mass. guys won't have so far to drive, and I'll be able to drive my tractor there to go Christmas shopping for the wife. See ya there...................

Has Worcester been dropped? You've got enough TSC stores in Connecticut. We need a couple more here in Eastern Mass... or at least close to Mass in tax-free New Hampshire!

Dougster

 

[Henry]

I own stock in TSC so all I can say is buy, buy, buy.

I own stock too and continue to hold onto it.

I really think their concept is a good one, it's definitely a store targeted toward people that frequent a site like TractorByNet. I agree with most everyone, they still have a lot of warts, but I still like to shop there.

For guys like us, it's a good thing to have a nation wide chain store targeted towards our life style.....

I expect that their management watches this site regularly, if they don't, I will send them the link.

Can we come up with some suggestions for improvement?
Can we come up with a list of compliments, what we like about it?

What does everyone else think?

 

[Henry]

I bought a Battery for my John Deere this summer. I needed some education on what the difference between a car battery was and a tractor battery. Good thing the State College, PA store help knew what they were talking about!

 

[Henry]

They had the BEST price in town for portable canopies / garages. I bought two 10 foot by 20 foot canopies for a family reunion this summer. The price beat the rental place by 200% and were equivlent to mail order pricing