I agree - while TSC is not perfect, and I've rarely run into an employee there who has been able to give good advice for MY project, I'm still glad they are there. They've got 3PH and PTO parts, a reasonable supply of repair parts, and at my local store all the hardware of a given grade is the same price per pound. I love that! I can grab a bag and fill it with bolts, nuts, washers in what ever quantity, no counting it out at the counter. My wife can get stuff for the horses and chickens, they've got a good selection of gate hinges and latches (I build my own stalls and gates). And where else can I go and pick up a BB or the arena harrow I got, and take it home and use it today? I don't have time to drive all over creation getting things together.
By the way - get a catalog and use the web site before you go. Then you will have a better idea what they have, and won't need to interface to the emplyees as much.