Quick Tractor Supply Rant

[EddieWalker]

The one here in Tyler is terrible at keeping certain things in stock. Especially grease fittings. I talked to the manager, who told me he was the owner of the store, and he told me that he has a full stock of fittings and is rarely out. That was either a lie or he just doesn't have a clue.

I also asked about some stuff in the catalog and where was it in the store. I was told they don't stock those items, but that I could order them and pay for shipping. With the added price of shipping, they were allot more expensive then Home Depot or Lowes.

I tend to only go there for bolts, or something I'm postive they will have in stock. It seems that for casual shopping, it's not worth the drive to see if it's in stock or not.

As to the discounts, they have been very good at honoring them when I've used them. I also think thet their brand of products is of pretty good quality. I think it's called Master tech or something like that. Anyway, I'll buy their air tools before I buy Campfield House whater it's called from Home Depot or Lowes. Same with their wrenches and sockets. No problems at all with thier tools. Welding rod it good there too.

I'm compareing prices of fencing and both Lowes and Home Depot seem to have better prices. TSC has more options, but for what I'm looking at, TSC is only going to be good for speicalty items like insulators for the electric fence.

Eddie

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Well, you guys who shop at that TSC in Lexington SC, Has that store ever fired a manager because (and I quote the NEW manager) "He was too helpful to customers"?

I rest my case.

 

[Skyco]

Ok..you win! If helpfullness is a problem they'll never get rid of the one here

Eddie mentioned bolts. The one in Aiken SC used to carry bulk metric hardware along with the grade2/5/8 stuff, which I thought was fantastic with all the metric tractors/cars/trucks/motorcycles/atvs etc. Must have been too popular cause they got rid of all the bulk metric...If I'd have known in advance I'd have really stocked up on it.....

 

[PAGUY]

We recently had one open in our area next to a Home Depot and I am impressed with the amount of stuff offered for sale. Things that are found in hardware stores where the prices are usually higher. One thing bugs me though is there lack of Kubota articles. John Deere is representative thru out the store along with Allis-Chambers. My guess is they need more maintenance than Kubota products. LOL.

What they should offer is what Wal-mart offers. Shop on-line at Wal-Mart and either have it shipped to your home and pay shipping or have it shipped to the local store and have on-site pick-up with no shipping charges. An excellent idea in my opinion.

 

[WSJ]

Yep, sort of sets your teeth on edge to see the add and the thinking (or lack of) behind it.

However, I went into the local TSC store today with the self-same add and talked first with the assistant manager who talked with the manager and the upshot was that they agreed (quite willingly, and without any fuss on my part) that it was silly, that they didn't know what the corporate folks were thinking, and that if I made a total purchase of $400 or more, including the 6' KK rake (regular price $429; sale price $399.99), that they'd give me the $50. So I picked up a couple salt blocks and bought it. Can't complain too much - $350's a good price for that rake. -WSJ

 

[csutton]

Does the inventory in some of these stores vary due to their location? The reason I ask is we have a local chain that is like TSC. Every store stocks different items, apparently tuned to the local environment. If you need cultivator parts you have to drive to the one out in a farm town.... the yuppie town one doesn't sell many cultivator parts I guess Some are way more 'garden' or 'horse' than others that are more 'farm' or 'livestock'.

You might have a dizzying array of prices but ALL of them are cheaper that what I would pay out here for the same implement.

Charles

You would think they would, but I spoke with the manager in the Temple, TX store, and he told me that they ship him a snowblower every year. (Temple gets maybe 1/2" of snow every 3-4 years if that). As far as the nuts and bolts, I agree its a good deal to buy by the pound.

 

[SCDolphin]

TSC in Lex SC sux 2. Nobody in there has ever seen real horse crap and could not pee out of a boot if the directions were on the heel!

 

[dixie306]

Some things are the same all over, the store here doesn't even carry plow bolts, when I ask for them, I got a "HUH" whats that? the KK tiller I bought is listed on line at 1700 here, when I got to the store they're marked 1600, nice surprise but still makes the store look bad. Now that I've kicked them, I'll kiss them, when I had problems with the PTO shaft, the manager went above and beyond to make me happy

 

[RobJ]

and could not pee out of a boot if the directions were on the heel!

I'm not sure I could pee out of a boot either!! Directions or not. I could pee in a boot!! I have seen horse crap.

Regional pricing is nothing new, all the big chains do it because of shipping, costs to run the store, taxes, personel costs, etc.

I'm not a big fan of their web site either, however the stores do seem to have that stuff you need when all the other tractor places close at noon on Saturday. They stay open until 9pm.

 

[AndyMA]

Regional pricing is nothing new, all the big chains do it because of shipping, costs to run the store, taxes, personel costs, etc.

The demographics of the buyer is a major factor. Charge those more who they feel can afford it. Just look at major food chains and compare the prices in some markets for stores only a few miles apart. Those in poorer urban areas can be considerably less than the prices in the more affluent suburbs.

Andy