TSC, What were they thinking?(Dark horse)

powerstroke444 · Sep 17, 2008

How could a BIG chain retailer stoup so low, I quest this is a case of consumer beware, store personal are very apprehensive to answer questions of this dark horse line up, only that it is discontinued before it even really started. The price tag looks good but what about the quality, don't get me wrong if it was worth while they would not be trying to move it out as fast as they can, I am always looking for a good deal, but honesty to the consumers take precedence, if this stuff is junk they should send it back to China, and keep their respect of the consumers, some are loyal but not for long!

vettemanwight · Sep 17, 2008

I had the same thought. The manager said to me when I asked questions about the DH. his answer was only . You are buying a 5' for $800 or a 6" for $900. they were well coached as to what to say. I passed on the purchased even though it was very tempting. V

wedge40 · Sep 17, 2008

"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is"
I was in the market for a tiller this spring. (had money burning a hole in my pocket). I'm not sure what I would have done without TBN, after research on here I decide to get a KKII based on it's high praise. I also bought a Jinma chipper based on the reviews here.
I guess what I'm trying to say before I spend anything more that $500 I do lots and lots of research.

Wedge

Dargo · Sep 17, 2008

I have to admit that I'm quite disappointed at TSC's policy as well. As I stated in the other thread, I'm more of a 'sit back and wait' kind of guy so I never considered buying one. The quality of construction and materials used looked suspect to me, but what do I know about engineering? I only based that observation on a comparison to my commercial model that cost me about twice as much. Mostly my big disappointment is that in most cases TSC isn't taking the junk tillers back when they fail on the first use. That can't be good for their business!

I drove through my local Rural King yesterday and they have a load of finish mowers and rotary cutters that look terrible due to sitting outside since this last summer. I'd expect them to do what they always do and mark them down about 50% or so to move them before winter. I didn't see a name on it, but they did have 1 red colored tiller that was obviously a 'price leader' tiller sitting outside rusting away. If it isn't a total junk piece of equipment like 'Dark Horse', I'd bet a guy could pick it up for a song and just repaint it.

I do sincerely wish the best to all who bought the Dark Horse implements based on their cheap price and are stuck with them since TSC mostly isn't taking them back. Good luck and don't be shy about pressing the issue with TSC.

EddieWalker · Sep 17, 2008

Tractor Supply was one of those stores that I was very excited about when moving out here. One of the first things that I did when visiting here was to just walk through the store and get excited at all the cool stuff they had!! Kid in a toy store type of thing.

In the six years that I've lived here, I've become totaly disapointed in TSC. They advertise something, but don't have it in stock. They are terrible about keeping stock on hand and I can't figure out who they focus on. Maybe the horse people as they have lots of stuff for them. I can't find greese fittings when I want them, I couldn't find slime the last time I was there and the final straw was when I was looking for hydraulic oil. They were all out.

Fortunately, just a few blocks away, Atwoods moved into an old Walmart building. They are well laid out, have ten times the stuff that TSC does and their prices are better. They have everything TSC does, plus allot more!!!!!

Now when I drive past TSC, I look to see how many vehicles are out front. Allot of the time, there isn't one. Atwoods is always busy with dozens and dozens of vehicls in the parking lot. My biggest complaint might be how far I have to walk to get into the store.

It might just be a local thing, but TSC has burned allot of bridges and doesn't seem to care.

Eddie

randy41 · Sep 17, 2008

I always end up disappointed with my visit to Tractor Supply but I still go back. Go figure.
The next visit will be for gloves. I predict I will walk out of the store with nothing.

shvl73 · Sep 17, 2008

I've been fairly happy with TSC in New England. I've been to most, as I travel due to work. Some are definitely better than others. Still a new outlet in this area. For hard parts (tractor/implement) my local Massey/Mahindra dealer (Knoxland), is a better choice. I just wish they had longer Saturday, or even Sunday hours.

em14 · Sep 17, 2008

I stopped buying from TSC a long time ago.... for much the same reasons as Eddie had. Once in a great while I will walk in there and look around and then leave without buying anything! I was in an Atwoods not long ago in Tulsa and what a difference ... unfortunately we don't have Atwoods here.
Leo

Bird · Sep 17, 2008

Either things have changed in the last several years, or it just depends on the individuals working in the different stores, and I don't know which. The first TSC store I did business with was in Waco, TX. Since they have a large distribution center or warehouse there, so, I don't know whether that made a difference or not, but I got very good service there. I did get box blades with bad welds, but they gave me my choice of (1) replacement, (2) get it welded, bring a receipt and they'd pay for it, (3) weld it myself and they's pay a reasonable amount, or (4) take a refund. The first time, I took a replacement, and when it broke, I took the refund. I think they just got a shipment with bad welds. But that was in 1995; long time ago.

Since then I've bought a few things from TSC stores in Hillsboro, Corsicana, and Denton, TX, as well as Ardmore, OK. Sometimes the service and products have been good; sometimes not.

Ford850 · Sep 17, 2008

shvl73 said:
I've been fairly happy with TSC in New England. I've been to most, as I travel due to work. Some are definitely better than others. Still a new outlet in this area. For hard parts (tractor/implement) my local Massey/Mahindra dealer (Knoxland), is a better choice. I just wish they had longer Saturday, or even Sunday hours.

Our Ohio stores are open all day Saturday and Sunday. That's one of the reasons I keep going back, since they are one of the few places to go when working on weekend projects. The service and inventory varies drastically from store to store. They seem to have just enough going for them to keep me coming back. They definitely cater to the horse crowd now, though.