TSC backwards implement pricing???

[Soundguy]

I was just at TSC to drop off a battery core and get my 10.65$ back, when i decided to window shop the cultivator's and plows while awaiting a manger to sign my refund papers.

I noticed that the subsoiler and the middle buster each use the same frame, and the only difference between the two is that the sub soiler has a small chisle point that is about 2" wide and 8" long, and appears like you can flip it to the new edge by pulling the 2 plow bolts out... now.. the middle buster has the wider 'shovel' point on it.. about 8" wide at the top and say.. 8" long tip to back.. same 2 plow bolts hold it to the sub assembly.

Now.. one would think they would either be similar priced since the fram is the same.. or perhaps the middle buster might be a few bucks more since the 'shovel' tip is a few ounces more metal than the chissle tip...

NOPE!

The sub soiler with chisle tip is 150$.. the middle buster with shovel tip is 125$... what gives. Heck.. why not buy the cheaper middle buster and then just buy a replacement chissle tip.. it's the same frame and the same 2 bolts/pattern?

soundguy

 

[Champy]

At some point I remember having this same question when at TSC, and unless the memory is completely shot, I determined that the Subsoiler frame was thicker material, and the angle of the respective blades were different as well which might affect performance / interchangability...though I could be mistaken.

 

[Soundguy]

If they were.. they aren't now.... i leaned 2 of them up side by side.. the 'foot' that you use the 2 bolts to hold the chisle or shovel tip on are at the same angle and all. frame appears identical, and each felt the same weight... these are the newer yellow units.. not the older red ones.

looks like a way to get 2 implements for one to me??.. buy the cheap one and then a replacement tip for the other...

soundguy

 

[digicamnut]

If they were.. they aren't now.... i leaned 2 of them up side by side.. the 'foot' that you use the 2 bolts to hold the chisle or shovel tip on are at the same angle and all. frame appears identical, and each felt the same weight... these are the newer yellow units.. not the older red ones.

looks like a way to get 2 implements for one to me??.. buy the cheap one and then a replacement tip for the other...

soundguy

I saw the same thing and bought the middle buster and found this replacement blade at another dealer. See attached pic.

 

[Skyco]

Look at this pic- http://www.tractorsupply.com/wcsstore/ConsumerDirectStorefrontAssetStore/images/products/600/2128228.jpg
and this one- http://www.tractorsupply.com/wcsstore/ConsumerDirectStorefrontAssetStore/images/products/600/2128333.jpg

and you can see the difference.

I happened to be in a local TSC looking at the same thing today. The subsoiler has a longer shank, at least on the pair in stock. The bottom attachment point was also configured a little differently. I was looking at the XB combo subsoiler/middle buster and it costs as much as the heavier duty pictured middle buster and it has a hollow shank instead of solid bar....I think I will get the heavier one and make or buy a subsoiler point...

Added in edit- the first link doesn't work when clicked on...but if you paste it in your browser it does...weird...admin?
So here are two other pics off KKs site- King Kutter Incorporated
and King Kutter Incorporated

Now I have no doubt a manufacturing change or error resulted in what Soundguy saw But they were as pictured at the TSC I visited. I also noticed they now have a "Made In China" tag on them

 

[Ford850]

I think it has to do with the switch from Kingkutter to Farm Force brand, and new pricing. I bought a Farm Force subsoiler in January for $124.00. I jumped on it since needed one, and noticed much higher prices listed online and in the TSC catalogs for the same thing. My tag said KingKutter, but it looked like and old sunbleached tag they re-used when the FF came in. The subsoiler looked like new, which is unusual for anything sitting in the TSC lots around me.
Anyway... when i bought that subsoiler, they had an older KK middlebuster there too and it was shorter and had a different mounting plate at the base.

 

[Skyco]

Its funny you mentioned the weathered 3 point gear...I was looking at a box blade at one of their stores that had been outside for a long time, all rusty in spots and the paint faded. I asked for a discount and was refused. So I paid the same price for a new looking one at another TSC. Now to be practical it didn't really make any difference since it will get scratched up anyway, but I want to be the one to do it if I'm paying full price

I asked today for the XB middle buster/subsoiler for $103.99- the price on their website. Nope it is $129.99 in the store- no exceptions. That always irks me when a company does that...but most I've called on it will match their web price, NorthernTool and HarborFreight will, but not good ole TSC

 

[DanielAlexander]

I bought a KK middle buster and a chisel point from Wiese Industries, nice piece with recessed hex holes.

 

[257NH]

From those links the sub soiler is listed at 114 # and the middle buster is listed at 80#

 

[Soundguy]

Skyco.. your top link doesn't work because it has (2) trailing backslashes.

Also.. good pics.. however.. the TSC i went 2 only had one of each in stock.. same weight.. same height. For all i know.. they were the same unit, and they slapped two differnt points on them and priced them wrong? I wouldn't put it past them.. the people that usually work there know nothing about tractors or implements... you are lucky if you get a kid in ag class or who wants to be a rodeo star who works there.. then they know a lil'bit.

I might have to go back and get one. These felt like the 114 # not 80#.. they were deffinately heavier than 2-bags of horse feed... I'm pretty accurate at measureing 50# intervals

soundguy

 

[Reg]

I think it has a lot more to do with target customers.
Smaller tractors can pull less than bigger tractors, are more typically owned by back yard gardeners who are less "price sensitive" than "Fahm_Aahs" with big tractors.
I've seen this with a lot of the cat 1 (and border cat 0) stuff.
...and the Cat 2 stuff is cheaper still (-:

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. that KK 'X' line for the smaller tractors are usually same$ or more for the 44-48" cat0/cat one stuff as the full sized cat 1 stuff.

soundguy

 

[john_bud]

I asked today for the XB middle buster/subsoiler for $103.99- the price on their website. Nope it is $129.99 in the store- no exceptions. That always irks me when a company does that...but most I've called on it will match their web price, NorthernTool and HarborFreight will, but not good ole TSC

That has always irked me too! I mean, you are at home on the 'puter, can order it up, probably don't get charged taxes (even though we will pay at the end of the year...) but do pay shipping - unless there is a free shipping deal. For that you are rewarded with lower prices.

You get off your butt, drive 5, 10 , 20, 50 miles to the store where you can shop and select other items you didn't even know you needed and for that you are rewarded with higher prices, pay your taxes up front etc.

Grrrr. At least match the web price if you ask. I've had the managers lower prices on stuff just by asking. Got a 20% discount on a digital camera and a 50% discount on the card - just by asking if they would match the 20% off deal of a different store.

Like my dad used to say, "if you don't ask, the answer is always NO!".

jb

 

[Ford850]

Its funny you mentioned the weathered 3 point gear...I was looking at a box blade at one of their stores that had been outside for a long time, all rusty in spots and the paint faded. I asked for a discount and was refused. So I paid the same price for a new looking one at another TSC. Now to be practical it didn't really make any difference since it will get scratched up anyway, but I want to be the one to do it if I'm paying full price

I asked today for the XB middle buster/subsoiler for $103.99- the price on their website. Nope it is $129.99 in the store- no exceptions. That always irks me when a company does that...but most I've called on it will match their web price, NorthernTool and HarborFreight will, but not good ole TSC

I've bought a rotary cutter, disc, carryall, and subsoiler from TSC over the past couple of years. The subsoiler looked fairly new, but the other 3 were the typical scratched and rusted pieces. So each time I ask for paint when I purchase and each time they toss me a quart for no charge. I usually get black paint to cover that awful yellow.

 

[Jimmyp5]

ok., I let is fly one more time and then shut up...TSC had become a non-tractor store...heck getting someone in the store who even understands that you want a "FARM" implement is just too hard these days. TSC is my last resort when looking for anything these days.

 

[Soundguy]

As their billboard says... the 'tractor' in tractor supply refers to lawn tractor ( lawnmower! )..

soundguy