Tractor Supply, Buyer Beware !

[Kevin M]

Today i went into the local Tractor Supply Store to pick up a couple of things. Went to the hydraulics section to check out some spool valves. The first one was covered with dirt and saw dust in an oil soaked box and missing handles and port plugs ??? For 150.00 !??? The second was a two spool same as 9-7695 at Surplus Center they sell for 150.00 , This one was missing the handles and was in an oil soaked box, and they were asking 250 , im starting to hate that place!

 

[Raw Dodge]

Today i went into the local Tractor Supply Store to pick up a couple of things. Went to the hydraulics section to check out some spool valves. The first one was covered with dirt and saw dust in an oil soaked box and missing handles and port plugs ??? For 150.00 !??? The second was a two spool same as 9-7695 at Surplus Center they sell for 150.00 , This one was missing the handles and was in an oil soaked box WTF ! and they were asking 250 , im starting to hate that place!

Thats Chester tractor supply for you! The one in liberty is furthur,but way better,and bigger.TSC is hardly worth the drive,IMO,there prices are matched by my local hardware,New holland,feed,plumbing,and napa stores.It is nice having it all under one roof.
I bought 4-16ft grade 70 chains at TSC last summer,2 days later in my NH dealer I notice they have the same chains,only $15.00 cheaper a piece,also TSC trailer parts and lights,esp LEDs, are insanely priced....

 

[Kevin M]

Yeah some things are super cheap ! But Im wondering if they get seconds like HOME DEPOT!

 

[JB4310]

Whenever I find stuff like that on shelves I go to the manager and try and get a deal on it, if it's something I know I need and can fix sometimes you can make it worth your while.

The nearest TS to me is more of a dog food and urban cowboy supply store, they only have a couple of rows of tractor stuff, but what they have there is handy and sometimes hard to find.

Was thinking of going there today to pick up a small DA hydraulic cylinder to lift a snow plow.

Any feedback on there cylinders?

JB.

 

[Kubota 2350]

I haven't found to many good deals at any of their stores.

But it's like anything else, if they have it and you want (need) it now, you don't have a lot of choice.

 

[Bird]

I don't think "Buyer Beware" is any more appropriate at Tractor Supply than anywhere else. How many stores do you know of that don't have at least something that you don't think is worth what they're asking for it? No matter where you shop, it's a good idea to have some degree of knowledge of the products you're interested in.

Since I've shopped in at least 5 Tractor Supply stores, I've found prices may not be the same in all the stores, even for the same item, and I've found knowledgeable and helpful employees in some stores, and not very knowledgeable employees in others. The only really "defective" item I've gotten from them was a box blade with bad welds long ago (1995). They offered replacement, repair at their expense if I wanted to get it fixed, or a refund with no static at all.

So, yep, I've spent several dollars at Tractor Supply stores from 1995 until I just bought a couple of 10" wheels with foam rubber tires this past week. Overall, I'd have to say I've been treated as well there as at most other places.

 

[bp fick]

With 12,800 employees, and operating 855 stores in 45 states, it is hard to make generalizations about TSC. I have 3 or 4, each about an hour drive and frankly, I am grateful because in this rural area, shopping choices are our biggest forte'.

I find them up and down. Just about like every other big chain. Neither consistently better nor worse.

 

[Diamondpilot]

We have had TS in our area for years and even a distribution center 10 miles from my home. A few years ago Rural King came to town and TS has been hurt. RK has what you need, 10 times more choices, and better prices. The people are not the most knowledgeable but they are willing to help.

Chris

 

[Kubota 2350]

I don't think we have any Rural King's in Michigan, if we do I've never been to one.

In my above post I wasn't trying to knock TSC, I spend a lot of money there.
Their prices are not fantastic, but most places aren't.

 

[devildog1]

It's to bad that the TSS in your area is operating like that, I love the one in my area,(Amsterdam,NY). And I have many friends who travel from surrounding cities and towns just to shop there, just love going in and browsing around. Sorry your store is in such disarray, TSS Management are you hearing this???
DevilDog

 

[mrcaptainbob]

I bought a pair of boots from TSC. The sole separated before the warranty, and they promptly replaced them. It happened again with that pair. Again, only one boot lost it's sole. I e-mailed the problem to TSC, received a couple e-mails back, then received a follow up call, followed by a replacement pair of boots of better quality. Was most impressed with the courtesies and concern shown. All they asked was to return the old pair to a different address so as to asses why they are coming apart in that manner.

 

[EddieWalker]

Tractor Supply is my last resort store. I found that most of the time when I would go there, I would be disapointed in what I found. Either they don't have what I want, or it's not of a quality that I'm willing to pay for.

They do have a good selection of bolts, so that's good. I also found an Ingersol Rand air compressor there that I had been looking for. My requiements limited me to just about that compressor. Nobody else made one that does what that one does, and only TSC carried it. I've found large wreches there for a good price and quality.

Last year we got an Atwoods. It's basically the same thing, but bigger and MUCH better stocked. While TSC will be out of stock of all sorts of things, like greese, tractor pins, welding rod, grinder wheels and .... Atwoods has never been out of stock when I've gone there for something. Now I just go to Atwoods and get what I want.

I've never been to a Ranch King, but would like to some time.

Eddie

 

[Soundguy]

I agree.. hard to find a store that you don't see opened boxes.. usually by a customer.

I will say one thing.. their hyd lines sure are affordable. i just had to replace a couple short lines on my loader... 3', 2 wire, 3/8, male pipe to male pipe.. nothing special. the first one was an emergency deal, and i was stuck.. hit a napa store that makes hoses.. 50 bucks!.. but I had to have it.

picked up the sister hose the next day at tsc.. 13$!!!!!!!!!

soundguy

I don't think "Buyer Beware" is any more appropriate at Tractor Supply than anywhere else. How many stores do you know of that don't have at least something that you don't think is worth what they're asking for it? No matter where you shop, it's a good idea to have some degree of knowledge of the products you're interested in.

Since I've shopped in at least 5 Tractor Supply stores, I've found prices may not be the same in all the stores, even for the same item, and I've found knowledgeable and helpful employees in some stores, and not very knowledgeable employees in others. The only really "defective" item I've gotten from them was a box blade with bad welds long ago (1995). They offered replacement, repair at their expense if I wanted to get it fixed, or a refund with no static at all.

So, yep, I've spent several dollars at Tractor Supply stores from 1995 until I just bought a couple of 10" wheels with foam rubber tires this past week. Overall, I'd have to say I've been treated as well there as at most other places.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Napa is crazy on Hydro lines. I need 2 17' 1/4" lines for a snow plow project. They wanted $200 and did not really have the ends I wanted. I was going to have to buy adapters. I got what I needed off the net to my door in 2 days for under $68.

Chris

 

[FLHayman]

I agree with Soundguy that the hoses are not too high for the price, same applies to some of the hydraulic fittings, when you can find them. I have bought some tie rod cylinders from them, and they are fine, (which is to say, not as robust as industrial welded cylinders, but useable). I have also gotten good deals on tractor seats and hay rake tines.......sometimes. The prices at mine vary from "you've got to be kidding" to really reasonable. When you need a repair link for a chain, or something like a fitting, it is not a problem, since time is of the essence.

I try as hard as I can to give my business to my local stores, so I have the inventory practically memorized at my TSC stores. I would head elsewhere if I needed a PTO part, specific hay cutter blade, or something that requires a good amount of dealer knowledge, though. Their prices on hardware that is bought by the pound turns out to be reasonable, in my opinion.

 

[two_bit_score]

I don't think "Buyer Beware" is any more appropriate at Tractor Supply than anywhere else. How many stores do you know of that don't have at least something that you don't think is worth what they're asking for it? No matter where you shop, it's a good idea to have some degree of knowledge of the products you're interested in.

Since I've shopped in at least 5 Tractor Supply stores, I've found prices may not be the same in all the stores, even for the same item, and I've found knowledgeable and helpful employees in some stores, and not very knowledgeable employees in others. The only really "defective" item I've gotten from them was a box blade with bad welds long ago (1995). They offered replacement, repair at their expense if I wanted to get it fixed, or a refund with no static at all.

So, yep, I've spent several dollars at Tractor Supply stores from 1995 until I just bought a couple of 10" wheels with foam rubber tires this past week. Overall, I'd have to say I've been treated as well there as at most other places.

You hit it dead on, Bird. Bottom line is Tractor Supply has a lot of stuff almost anyone with rural property needs from time to time. Yes, I've bought chain at a JD dealership cheaper than they had it at TSC, may have actually gotten a better chain, too, I'm not sure. But I've been able to find a lot of stuff at TSC that I can't find easily anywhere else.

I just wish they had more stuff that was made in the USA.

 

[two_bit_score]

Is tere a Menard's in your area? I hear they have a good slecetion and carry a lot of stuff made in the USA.

 

[Kevin M]

My whole point of this thread is to know what your looking at and Buyer Beware means to check out what buying! Make sure some schmuck hasn't slipped his old blown up crap back in the box your purchasing! This store was great when it first opened , but with under paid help with no knowledge of what there selling, junk gets returned ! Don't buy someones old junk!

 

[QRTRHRS]

I don't know of any store of any kind that has the best prices on everything all of the time. TSC just had 2.5 gallon jugs of Rottella T cheaper than Wally World. Napa's every day price on Lucas oil treatment is cheaper than Wally's. NAPA's price on LED lights is out of sight. Get those cheaper on line.

Last year I bought some fencing at close out from TSC. One manager called about six stores to confirm their remaining stock then the stores held it for me until the next day when I spent the whole day making the rounds. Every thing worked out and I could not say enough about the folks that I dealt with. But then it's like that where I live.

One thing about retail is that it does not pay that well. If the person that I am dealing with is honest and trying and has a good attitude then at least I can try to work through a solution with them. Sure better than dealing with a slug.

 

[AndyMA]

I don't think we have any Rural King's in Michigan, if we do I've never been to one.

In my above post I wasn't trying to knock TSC, I spend a lot of money there.
Their prices are not fantastic, but most places aren't.

One in Niles. They are limited in that they are only in 6 midwest states according to there web site.

Andy