Tractor Supply Does It Again

[weldingisfun]

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?

 

[kcflhrc]

Well, I for one have always had good luck at our TSC. I needed a repair kit for my outside hydrant Saturday, they were the only one's around that had one. My dogs like their dig food and we buy our chicken feed there. So for me so far, they have been good.

 

[Budweiser John]

I'm finding the central Michigan TSC stores are slipping both in customer service and merchandise selection.
A new chain has popped up called Family Farm and Home and they are getting our business now

 

[fried1765]

I'm finding the central Michigan TSC stores are slipping both in customer service and merchandise selection.
A new chain has popped up called Family Farm and Home and they are getting our business now

From what I have seen, TSC is ALWAYS shopping for bottom feeder suppliers.
They were selling King Kutter attachments (rugged/good quality),.... now only Tarter Gate, or Behlen.
They were selling Valspar enamel (great quality), now..... Majic
Lots of other items similarly dropped, for cheaper products .....

 

[murph1]

From what I have seen, TSC is ALWAYS shopping for bottom feeder suppliers.
They were selling King Kutter attachments (rugged/good quality),.... now only Tarter Gate, or Behlen.
They were selling Valspar enamel (great quality), now..... Majic
Lots of other items similarly dropped, for cheaper products .....

Agree they turned into Dollar General of Ag supplies. Can't wait till I get a Rural King.

 

[vvanders]

They put in a fancy new one up here in Longview, had similar experience. Many times we'd swing by since it's just a little closer to us only to be disappointed and take the extra 5 minutes to head up to Wilco instead.

 

[MF283]

Around here it's good for nuts/bolts & a few other things that might happen on a Sunday, I can remember when it used to be a real farm supply, now it's more Urban supply.

Ronnie

 

[jerrybob]

They put in a fancy new one up here in Longview, had similar experience. Many times we'd swing by since it's just a little closer to us only to be disappointed and take the extra 5 minutes to head up to Wilco instead.

They put one in Aberdeen as well.......not that impressed........the hired help don't know much.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

They put in a fancy new one up here in Longview, had similar experience. Many times we'd swing by since it's just a little closer to us only to be disappointed and take the extra 5 minutes to head up to Wilco instead.

I have found Wilco to be 10-30 percent less than our new TSC (often the same brand) up here plus; Wilco gives a military discount but TSC does not. Guess who gets my business?

Ron

 

[radioman]

i think the brands we really liked did a promo price to get thier foot in the door to prove themselves and then raised prices reducing tsc profit margin. i guess tsc is only looking at the bottom margin and **** the customers loyalty.

 

[aczlan]

I have found Wilco to be 10-30 percent less than our new TSC (often the same brand) up here plus; Wilco gives a military discount but TSC does not. Guess who gets my business?

Around here, Runnings is significantly cheaper than TSC for PTO parts and pretty close for most other things. They are also right next to other stores we go to (vs being on the other end of town).

Aaron Z

 

[PJSprog]

Can't wait till I get a Rural King.

We have one TSC near us outside of Belleville, IL. I've been there once, and found what I needed. Wife has stopped there a few times and didn't get treated like a "woman," so she likes the place. However, there's no substitute for our local Rural King. They have three locations withing reasonable driving distance, and they're all closer than TSC.

 

[Oaktree]

Around here, Runnings is significantly cheaper than TSC for PTO parts and pretty close for most other things.

Runnings is an interesting store, kind of a TSC on steroids. They opened one in Claremont, N.H. about a year ago. Couple hour drive from here, but when I'm in the area I make it a point to visit. Prices seem a little high though.

 

[kcflhrc]

I find it odd that Home Depot sells Yard Hydrants but doesn't sell the parts to fix them in the store. Had to go to TSC for a repair kit.

 

[Zerk]

I prefer Fleet Farm, but was the fence bad? Vaccines are something I would want to research. Fencing, the small amount I have done, I just grabbed some rolls that looked beefy.

 

[JimRB]

if I have to buy more fencing it will not be Red Top brand. Prematurely rusting. I will have to do some research in another 10 years when the mile of Red Top finishes rusting away. Some strands are rust free. Other strands are rusting away. There are other brands that have better galvanization and advertised life.

TSC is sometimes like Harbor Freight. They do carry some decent items but there are lots of empty bins and they carry some crummy items. Or they can be retail or higher on some items. Quick attach adapters you slide on the Cat1 pins are about twice the internet prices from other farm stores.

 

[phiferpharm]

I guess it is store-driven. I live about equal distance between Ocala store and Palatka store. The Ocala store runs out of stuff- like pig feed, dog food, and other items constantly. On top of that, they are not the most pleasant clerks I've dealt with. Palatka usually has the items I need.

I'm thinkin' the new Rural King, which is supposed to open on September or October may clobber them. I know I have been happy going to the Rural King that's about an hour away, and this one is supposed to be at least as large. Looking forward to them opening.

 

[kthompson]

Bought toy pickup for youngest grandson at tsc this evening. But for real farm items they are higher than my local garge/parts store. Find it with them over and over. Normally buy from them when only store open. They are no different than other box stores in their hiring. They do good to know where to find something much less what it is or anything about it. You do not go to box stores for knowledge, you go for selection and or price. To me TSC does not do a good job with either of those.

 

[2458n]

DO not stock the same suppliers from year to year. You have Poulan one year and Homelite the next. Plumping and welders change as well. Lincoln one year Hobart the next. Forget getting parts for your forgotten Italian Mig welder. Brown milking gloves and 5/1.00 lynch pins. have remained for 40 years-other wise you take your chances.

 

[bindian]

I find too often now, both our local TSCs don't have what I want. If they have it.............it's usually damaged by employees. New store in Willis does not have any knowledgable employees. Seems the manager (a woman) doesn't know enough about what they sell either. But she thinks she does. One Saturday, I was in there and the manager was loading something outside. The only clerk was acting as cashier and had a broken wrist. I rolled my eyes at her when she said she was the only employee in the store at the time and had to stay at the cash register............when I asked for help getting an egg incubator down from a 12 foot high shelf. TSC also stopped carrying 25 pound pails of fence staples. They only have 12 pound pails. I have to drive to McCoys Lumber in Huntsville (30 miles) to find the staples I want.
hugs, Brandi