New Minot Tractors at Tractor Supply Store VA

KiotiJohn · May 16, 2006

( Does TSC back the warranty, do they stock spare parts, will they be there for ANY maintenance or repairs, do they have the knowledge to answer questions regarding the owning and operation of this equipment? I don't know. I do know the dealer down the road that has been in business for 60 some years will be there when I need him for whatever the reason. )
My experience at TSC is that they don't have the expertise to answer questions about owning/operating a screw.
John

KiotiJohn · May 16, 2006

( Does TSC back the warranty, do they stock spare parts, will they be there for ANY maintenance or repairs, do they have the knowledge to answer questions regarding the owning and operation of this equipment? I don't know. I do know the dealer down the road that has been in business for 60 some years will be there when I need him for whatever the reason. )
My experience at TSC is that they don't have the expertise to answer questions about owning/operating a screw.
John

IslandTractor · May 17, 2006

My experience at TSC is that they don't have the expertise to answer questions about owning/operating a screw. 

Now John, that's not fair. They do know a lot about owning screws because they can look up the exact price for you. Operating a screw...well you may have a point there.

My last interaction with the manager of a TSC was around the weight of a 6ft landscape rake on their lot. I thought maybe 250-300lbs but he assured me it was "more than a thousand pounds" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. If so, then at current prices of steel they must have had the rakes as loss leaders.

I think it would be fair to compare buying a tractor from TSC to buying one mail order. You just should not expect dealer support to be part of the package.

IslandTractor · May 17, 2006

My experience at TSC is that they don't have the expertise to answer questions about owning/operating a screw. 

Now John, that's not fair. They do know a lot about owning screws because they can look up the exact price for you. Operating a screw...well you may have a point there.

My last interaction with the manager of a TSC was around the weight of a 6ft landscape rake on their lot. I thought maybe 250-300lbs but he assured me it was "more than a thousand pounds" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. If so, then at current prices of steel they must have had the rakes as loss leaders.

I think it would be fair to compare buying a tractor from TSC to buying one mail order. You just should not expect dealer support to be part of the package.

coasterez · May 17, 2006

It would be interesting to know how warranty is honored on those TSC machines. We know that TSC does not have a full mechanical shop at each store. Do they contract out repairs? Maintain a repair depot somewhere? or just say "call the manufacturer".

Shoot, I don't even know how Home Depot handles warranty. Of course, they are selling smaller, lighter, simpler machines that are "easier" to fix and/or ship about.

coasterez · May 17, 2006

It would be interesting to know how warranty is honored on those TSC machines. We know that TSC does not have a full mechanical shop at each store. Do they contract out repairs? Maintain a repair depot somewhere? or just say "call the manufacturer".

Shoot, I don't even know how Home Depot handles warranty. Of course, they are selling smaller, lighter, simpler machines that are "easier" to fix and/or ship about.

Kiohio · May 17, 2006

Most retail outlets sub out the mechanical end to someone else. It's hard to tell who will be working on the tractor.
I know I am an "other brand" dealer but I have enough people come into my shop and ask about parts for the chinese units that I wouldn't want one.
Besides that at some of the prices mentioned you could buy a new tractor with 4yr warranty for around 1500 to 2000 more.
Even if I did want one, I wouldn't buy one from a retail outlet or Northern etc. If I was buying any Chinese tractor I'd buy it from one of the dealers that frequent this site before I'd buy from anyone else.

KO

Kiohio · May 17, 2006

Most retail outlets sub out the mechanical end to someone else. It's hard to tell who will be working on the tractor.
I know I am an "other brand" dealer but I have enough people come into my shop and ask about parts for the chinese units that I wouldn't want one.
Besides that at some of the prices mentioned you could buy a new tractor with 4yr warranty for around 1500 to 2000 more.
Even if I did want one, I wouldn't buy one from a retail outlet or Northern etc. If I was buying any Chinese tractor I'd buy it from one of the dealers that frequent this site before I'd buy from anyone else.

KO

KiotiJohn · May 17, 2006

Many of the Chinese brands only offer parts-only warranties. If this is the case with the Minot, TSC doesn't have to worry about who they will have to do the work, there won't be any.
John

KiotiJohn · May 17, 2006

Many of the Chinese brands only offer parts-only warranties. If this is the case with the Minot, TSC doesn't have to worry about who they will have to do the work, there won't be any.
John