Tractor Supply Does It Again

[Bluesman]

What is going on with TSC? A while back I needed welded wire fencing to layer over my perimeter fence to prevent my goats from putting their heads through the fence and becoming chew toys for the neighbor's dogs. Red Brand was my brand preference. I checked out the TSC Website and found that they carried the Red Brand fencing. Then I called to confirm that they had what I needed in stock and was assured they did. Off I go on the 20 mile drive to pick it up. I go into the store and tell them what I wanted, confirmed again that it was Red Brand fencing, because I did not see it in the lot when I parked the truck, and paid for it. Out to the lot to get the truck loaded and the kid on the forklift picks up a brand I had never heard of. Stop right there! I explained what I wanted and was told that the brand he had on the forklift was all they carried. He put it back and back into the store I went to get a refund. That was back then.

This is now. It is time to give our goats their annual CD-T booster shots. Our vaccine of choice is made by Bar Vac, so off to TSC I go, they have always carried the Bar Vac vaccine so I was not concerned. When I get to the cooler where they store the vaccines I do not see Bar Vac, however the price sign says it is Bar Vac. I called for a clerk and she reads the bar code with the scanner and assures me it is Bar Vac CD-T vaccine. Thinking maybe Bar Vac has changed it's label, I bought three 10-dose vials. When I get home, I checked the TSC Web site and, sure enough, it shows Bar Vac in the familiar label. Upon close examination of the label on the vaccine that I bought I see that it is NOT Bar Vac. What the heck!

Is anyone else running into this? Or, is it just the TSC stores in Killeen and Lampasas, Texas?

I know exactly what you are saying. It seems they always run low on popular and high quality items. For example I feed Purina Strategy to my horses. This past summer every time I went there they were out or nearly out. After weeks of complaining to the manager they finally started stocking enough to supply their customers. Now I'm going through the same thing with Diamond dog food. Just this Friday they only had 2 bags that were ripped up and taped with a 2 dollar discount. Thanks but no thanks. I don't think it's the store employees or even individual store management. I think it has to do more with corporate. They basically send what they send and you get what you get. I don't understand that business model so if anyone can please explain it. ...lol

 

[buckeyefarmer]

It's a soon to be "going out of business" model if they don't change. I dont get it either.

 

[kthompson]

A month or so back was going to a Saturday morning funernal and stopped by wearing full dress suit. Boy did I get greated by I think three employees. Did not find the size clevis I needed but bought nearest they had. Maybe we are not dresssing proper for their standards?

You do know TSC sells chemicals in two areas, one is ag strength and the other is low strength homeowners.

 

[Rustyiron]

I also remember when they were much more "farm oriented" rather than a pet food store. We used to have a "Central tractor" & a TSC and they would compete. It would be good if someone at TSC corp. would see this thread, that is if the penny pinchers there don't care as long as they hit their margins being a dog food & clothing store. I count on them as a last resort usually.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I also remember when they were much more "farm oriented" rather than a pet food store. We used to have a "Central tractor" & a TSC and they would compete. It would be good if someone at TSC corp. would see this thread, that is if the penny pinchers there don't care as long as they hit their margins being a dog food & clothing store. I count on them as a last resort usually.

yep - TSC has become, like many others, a clothing and notions store. Locally if you're looking for tractor supplies, you'll have to go to the back (single) row to find them. "Farm and
Garden" stores have gone by the wayside along with knowledgeable "sales associates".

 

[jayste]

TSC is usually down the list on my preferred place to stop for things ag. Around here we have Atwoods Farm and Ranch supply and I much rather would go there anyway. Seems more down to earth and local. Oh, and let's not forget the popcorn machine as soon as you enter Atwoods. Maybe I'm just a sucker for popcorn.....

 

[CobyRupert]

I also remember when they were much more "farm oriented" rather than a pet food store. We used to have a "Central tractor" & a TSC and they would compete. It would be good if someone at TSC corp. would see this thread, that is if the penny pinchers there don't care as long as they hit their margins being a dog food & clothing store. I count on them as a last resort usually.

Seems like around here, what products the TSC's offer depends on what their customer base is.
The TSC in the rural area is more "farm oriented", and the TSC in the suburbia isn't.
This is were having a good manager and/or staying on top of inventory and what sells is important. Probably makes good business sense, but if you're looking for that item that 95% of the customers in your area wouldn't buy, you might be S.O.L.

 

[bindian]

I also remember when they were much more "farm oriented" rather than a pet food store. We used to have a "Central tractor" & a TSC and they would compete. It would be good if someone at TSC corp. would see this thread, that is if the penny pinchers there don't care as long as they hit their margins being a dog food & clothing store. I count on them as a last resort usually.

I get fed up with stores changing things. I sent TSC website's contact message a link to this thread last night. Hopefully, someone with some smarts will read this thread and act according.
hugs, Brandi

 

[SirReal63]

Seems like around here, what products the TSC's offer depends on what their customer base is.
The TSC in the rural area is more "farm oriented", and the TSC in the suburbia isn't.
This is were having a good manager and/or staying on top of inventory and what sells is important. Probably makes good business sense, but if you're looking for that item that 95% of the customers in your area wouldn't buy, you might be S.O.L.

This is consistent with what we find here. We have several TSC's within an hours drive, like all businesses they cater to the market they are in. Unfortunately their business model is self defeating, open a a store away from town in an agrarian area and in a few years the town has encompassed them and the agrarian needs are no longer there. This is probably when they close out the products that were needed with clothing and pet food.

 

[Rustyiron]

Seems like around here, what products the TSC's offer depends on what their customer base is.
The TSC in the rural area is more "farm oriented", and the TSC in the suburbia isn't.
This is were having a good manager and/or staying on top of inventory and what sells is important. Probably makes good business sense, but if you're looking for that item that 95% of the customers in your area wouldn't buy, you might be S.O.L.

You are right. More customers with dog's than farm critters, just business.