Quick Tractor Supply Rant

[Runner]

OK, so I get the latest TS ad in the mail. Coupon for "$50.00" off any KK purchase $400.00 or more. The 6' landscape rake is $399.99. Wonder if they'll let me use the coupon?

Their pricing baffles me. The web site sez $429.00 normal price for this rake. Also need the 15 gallon trailer sprayer. Mailer sez $239.99 (doesn't mention any discount and no coupon attached, but the web site sez $219.99 normal price - some sale). Have no idea what pricing I'll find when I actually drive over there to see what they have. I need both and will buy one of these items today. Of course, if I go to the closest one, they won't have either.

Rant over.

Carry on.

 

[kennyd]

Yeah, they can be a little crazy to deal with at times!

I just sent them an email via the website about the lack of inventory control they seem to have...it seems they are always out of simple things like 3PH bushings, or plastic sprayer fittings-or they have one! I have stopped in week after week and the bins are still empty

They responded and said a district manager will respond to me via phone call...

 

[greg_g]

OK, so I get the latest TS ad in the mail.

That one will be for local/regional pricing. Same item doesn't sell for the same money coast to coast. A roll of fencing will cost say $150 in TX. Same roll may go for $200 in NH. Now perhaps you'll understand why they want your ZIP code on the website.

If you rely on the clerk at the checkout counter to honor your KK discount, be prepared for a shouting match. They only know what the computerized checkout system tells them. I'd go straight to the manager with the coupon.

//greg//

 

[Bird]

Greg, you don't even have to go to another state. I've seen considerable price differences on the same item in Tractor Supply stores less than 50 miles apart. One I remember in particular was the difference between the store in Corsicana, TX, vs. the one in Hillsboro, TX.

 

[greg_g]

Greg, you don't even have to go to another state. I've seen considerable price differences on the same item in Tractor Supply stores less than 50 miles apart. One I remember in particular was the difference between the store in Corsicana, TX, vs. the one in Hillsboro, TX.

I don't question your on-site experience Bird. But the OP gripe was about differences between store and online pricing. I bet Corsicana and Hillsboro don't have the same ZIP code though. At least that's the theory behind website ZIP-based pricing.

//greg//

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Greg, you don't even have to go to another state. I've seen considerable price differences on the same item in Tractor Supply stores less than 50 miles apart. One I remember in particular was the difference between the store in Corsicana, TX, vs. the one in Hillsboro, TX.

There is my #1 beef with TSC. Lack of consistancy, lack of "corporate standard". We have 3 stores with-in 45 of the house. One is arguably the WORST example of a TSC in their chain. Another is what I'd EXPECT out of a retail establishment in 2008 (for better or for worse.), and #3 is run "old school" by a franchisee who's been in business for more than 30 years. He does as he pleases, which is, he tries to make his customers happy no matter what it takes. Guess which one is closest and guess which one I drive the extra few miles to patronize.

 

[Skyco]

I'll argue about the worst TSC....I think it is the one closest to me in Lexington SC I've looked for some items that were out of stock for months Common items too, no shortage because other places have them.

I dislike chains pricing differently on their website than their store. Some places are good about matching the web price, and I'm ok with that, but TSC locally isn't.
Personally I think something is wrong at TSC. I have to wonder if they are in trouble. The 5 stores I frequent seem indicative of a corporation that hasn't got a clue and will eventually either have to improve or will disappear. I know they lose quite a bit of money over time from me when they are out of stock or have one register open and ten people in line, and I go elsewhere.

 

[vettemanwight]

I went in to the local TSC last summer in mid July for some Roundup. Dont have any and not getting anymore this year I was told. I said your kidding??? Well the new manager that was transfered in in the spring from some southern state said they didnt use Roundup after June 15 where he was from so he didnt order any here , I live in Western New York. They are just so disorganized

 

[Skyco]

LOL went into the store in Aiken SC awhile back and was amused by a very healthy stock of dayglo "No Snowmobiles Allowed" signs

 

[Redbug]

I will have to second Skyco's remark...the worst TSC is in Lexington, SC! I don't think they know what to do when a shelf becomes empty... Seems if you have a chain store, the corporate management would be looking at the sales figures and doing something about it. No inventory means no sales. I can understand a mom and pop store not having stuff, but there's no excuse for a chain store to be like that. With bad management, they will go the way of Woolworth or Kmart... Too bad, they really do have a great nitch...

 

[Bird]

I don't question your on-site experience Bird. But the OP gripe was about differences between store and online pricing. I bet Corsicana and Hillsboro don't have the same ZIP code though. At least that's the theory behind website ZIP-based pricing.

//greg//

Well, you're right, Greg, but I don't guess I understand your point. I wasn't responding to the OP gripe, but to your post about price differences between Texas and NH, and I don't have to bet; I know Texas and NH don't have the same ZIP code.

 

[greg_g]

Well, you're right, Greg, but I don't guess I understand your point. I wasn't responding to the OP gripe, but to your post about price differences between Texas and NH, and I don't have to bet; I know Texas and NH don't have the same ZIP code.

We obviously both missed the other's point. I did some work for Central Tractor, a one-time competing farm store chain. Regional pricing was corporate policy. The buyers at the Iowa headquarters paid the one wholesale price for that roll of fencing. But the marketing people then set different retail prices for the same roll in different parts of the country. The areas that had higher wages and/or more disposible income were charged more for the merchandise. Hence my NH and TX examples.

//greg//

 

[sixdogs]

I saw a Fimco 15 gal sprayer on-line at TSC for $79 at a particular store. I went in to that store and the guy hymms and hawws about he's not sure if he can order that price or not. I told him I saw it on-line and it was no big deal since I could order it mail order from somewhere else for the same dollars. They are $79 everywhere this time of the year I said but I wouldn't want him to violate what he believes in.
Wow, talk about a reversal of attitude. I paid $79 and got a "thank you" from the guy.
Golly I hate that place.

 

[Runner]

Reporting Back:

Well, I was somewhat surprised. First, the closest TS actually had both items in stock. They did pretty good on the pricing. They did allow the $50 off coupon for the KK rake.

They also had the 15 gal trailer sprayer in stock. However, their store price was $249 as opposed to the $219 on the web site. I wanted/needed it, and they sold it for the $239 listed in the flyer.

So, I guess I saved about $30 overall.

Anyway, the rake will be used for my gravel drive renovation which will be the subject of a thread over in "projects" and the sprayer will be to keep the dandelions under control.

Paintjob on the rake was kind of on the low end, even for KK stuff, looked like someone had been beating on it with a chain. I'm not too worried about that, as it may get painted green in the future.

 

[CDsdad]

I've only been in one TSC, and have seen their online site. Seemed to me it was a cross between a cheap K-Mart and a discount salvage store that had just got in a bunch of smoke damaged tractor stuff and some Carhartt clothes. I was unimpressed to say the least.

 

[charlz]

Does the inventory in some of these stores vary due to their location? The reason I ask is we have a local chain that is like TSC. Every store stocks different items, apparently tuned to the local environment. If you need cultivator parts you have to drive to the one out in a farm town.... the yuppie town one doesn't sell many cultivator parts I guess Some are way more 'garden' or 'horse' than others that are more 'farm' or 'livestock'.

You might have a dizzying array of prices but ALL of them are cheaper that what I would pay out here for the same implement.

Charles

 

[Bird]

I've only been in one TSC, and have seen their online site. Seemed to me it was a cross between a cheap K-Mart and a discount salvage store that had just got in a bunch of smoke damaged tractor stuff and some Carhartt clothes. I was unimpressed to say the least.

I don't own any TSC stock or have any financial interest in the company, but I have shopped and bought a few things in 4 of their stores in Texas and one in Oklahoma. And as with many places, some stores are better than others, some of their products I'd consider a bargain, and some I wouldn't buy. Nothing new there. I once bought a 5' box blade from them, and welds broke in less than an hour. They replaced it with another new one and welds broke on that one in less than 2 hours. They obviously got a shipment with defective welds and I wasn't real happy about it because each time it was a 50 mile trip one way. However, they gave me the option of taking it to a welder, bring them the receipt and they'd pay for it, weld it myself and they'd pay a reasonable amount, take yet another new one, or get a full refund of my money (I took the refund). You know you just can't ask for anything more than that. I also liked buying nuts, bolts, screws, etc. by weight instead of counting each individual item.

I bought my rabbit cages, water and feed dispensers, rubber boots, gas cans, a pneumatic grease gun, a drill press, clips and pins for the 3-point, rubber mats, oil & grease, a farm jack, and no telling how much other stuff and haven't been dissatisfied with anything except those box blades, or thought that I could have gotten a better deal elsewhere.

But I won't hesitate to go elsewhere anytime I think I can get a better deal elsewhere.

 

[CDsdad]

.....And as with many places, some stores are better than others,....

I wasn't trying to imply the whole outfit sucked. Just the one I went in. I don't like their website either.

I'm sure they have some good stores. There are no TSC stores at all near me. The one I went in was in TX. I was working down there and was really just curious to see what they had.

 

[Bird]

I don't like their website either

Yep, they used to have a good website (I thought) but they "upgraded?" it. I sent them a message that I thought it was a good one until they ruined it.

 

[mjarrels]

Local TS here always seems to be doing a "seasonal change over" and always has this big open space available that is never filled for some reason?

mark