Tractor Supply Article

[widefat]

Who knew?

What Tractor Supply Company can teach other retailers - CNN

Don't get me wrong - I love my local Tractor supply and enjoy shopping in it.
But imagine how much better the profit would be if -
- Items were actually in stock
- Workers were around to ask questions (regardless of what the article says, I honestly dont know where my local TSC store employees disappear to.)

The huge profits must be due to the chinese bargain bins, cow tails, and caramel popcorn. No matter what, I always seem to walk out with popcorn and something from the bargain bin.

 

[Alan W.]

I think a lot of the profits are from those who buy into the high end pet food hype.
The Center Cut, Free Range, Gluten Free, No GMOs, Antibiotic Free, No Artificial Colors, Grain Free, Fresh Never Frozen dog and cat food. Im sure I left something out.
Of course Ive bought my fair share from the bargain bins.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Our Canadian TSC had become a lost cause. Tractor stuff and hardware sections were eliminated and more camo slippers, toys and licensed clothing was the focus it seemed. Recently, I understand there was a corporate change of some kind, and I don't know if things improved. I rarely if ever go there anymore.

 

[Thomas]

I like Tractor Supply nearest one closes to me but starting to get that mall look and feeling.

 

[widefat]

I think a lot of the profits are from those who buy into the high end pet food hype.
The Center Cut, Free Range, Gluten Free, No GMOs, Antibiotic Free, No Artificial Colors, Grain Free, Fresh Never Frozen dog and cat food. Im sure I left something out.
Of course Ive bought my fair share from the bargain bins.

Meanwhile, at the widefat ranch, the hounds are eating sticks, deer poop, and catching/eating moles and mice.

 

[fried1765]

Meanwhile, at the widefat ranch, the hounds are eating sticks, deer poop, and catching/eating moles and mice.

My closest TSC store is 70 miles away.
Whenever I go there I find empty/disorganized bins, and employees who know little or nothing.
Their "Countyline" implements sit outside gathering rust.
A very disappointing place!
Could be LOTS BETTER.....but.... it ain't !!!

 

[Alan W.]

Had a TSC open a new store in a nearby town, it was weird, all the shelves stocked and all the bins full plus plenty of people to wait on ya. Lasted a couple of months, now just like the others.
I wish we had a RuralKing close by. But my closest one is 70 miles one way.

 

[crashz]

I had a project in Decatur Indiana recently and was introduced to Rural King. I'm a big fan. Wish we had these up in NH.

 

[BlackOps]

the good manager left - the people that work there now are nasty and do not know anything. snf the people that work there have no customer service whatsoever. i m forced to go there for a few things - other than that - i hunt around. the rural kingis also a shambles and a mess here. also a lot of the stuff is cheap stuff.

 

[raptorterry]

I really dislike my TSC. They rarely have much in stock. I wrote corporate and told them they need a new motto.


'TSC, if you need it, we don't have it. If you don't need it, it's on sale!!'

 

[BlackOps]

i like that! good one.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have one close by but never go there since the first few times it opened 2 years ago. They have nothing I cannot beat their prices on by 15-35%, sometimes the same brand. Their staff are lazy and no experience with their stock or how it works. And they refuse to give the veterans discount all their competition give. WILCO up here has a full parking lot and TSC doesn't.

Ron

 

[super55]

Overall I am satisfied with my TSC. I do a fair amount of shopping there but buy very few durable goods. Most of it is chicken feed, mineral blocks, pine bedding stuff like that. The one durable thing I do buy there is fencing and T-posts. I have been very happy with redbrand woven fencing.

Electric fencing I get from kencove, Herbicide/pesticides of get shipped from Rural King, Tractor parts typically get Agri-supply. Seed comes from local feed stores or co-ops.

I can see why they are doing well. Hobby farming/mini-farming is big in my area as well are horses. They have the market cornered in this niche where I live so if you need stuff for livestock. TSC is typically the only place where you'll find it.

 

[Diggin It]

It's like anything else, some stores are better than others. I have two within 80 miles or so. I have an RK and several other chain and smaller independent stores. I can't really rate any over the other. RK beats in some ways, but not all.

 

[weldingisfun]

TSC is NOT my favorite place. Read the article and I can say without hesitation, Barbara Streisand. If the employees have their own animals they are probably Pekingese dogs or Siamese cats. The animal feed is way over priced and as noted by several others, there sure are lots of empty bins. There are two stores within a 25 mile drive, one east one west. They are the same with a couple of exceptions, the employees in the store to the west will lie right to your face and those to the east haven't a clue when asked a question.

 

[widefat]

The animal feed is way over priced

Truth in that quote.
We normally buy ours at the local co-op. The coop was closed (see below), so I went to TSC. I was dismayed at the prices, and also perplexed that they carried so many different types of pet food.

I generally like the folks at my local store. Always very helpful. Occasionally get the surly cashier, but they dont last long.

In a two mile stretch, we have the TSC, the Southern States co-op, John Deere, MF, New Holland, Kubota, and Honda Outdoor Dealerships. The above brands, plus Stihl, RedMax, Husqvarna Pro, Gravely, Ariens Pro, Bobcat.
The only problem - the TSC is the only place open after 5pm M-F, after 2pm Sat, and Sunday. And none of the other places sell popcorn.

 

[raptorterry]

I can remember years ago reading an article about the guy who owns TSC today. He lives about 20 miles from me. To me, he sounded like a Sam Walton type. When our local store opened I thought, "This is great!
I am operating 150 acres and l can get everything l need 7 miles away." Wrong! The stores hours aren't farmer friendly and, as an example, the Cat 3 parts I need for my 3 point are made by some 10-year old in China.

TSC, if you need it, we don't have it. If you don't need it, it's on sale!

 

[NorTracNY]

That slogan does fit. Our store is very close and most of the employees are great, but the local store has very limited control of their inventory. They are very often out of the feed we get. One manager said that they would fix the problem and make sure it was always available. They knew us well enough to know how much we used. Sadly, the manager found that they can't control their inventory. They just are given a certain allocation from the parent company.

TSC, if you need it, we don't have it. If you don't need it, it's on sale!

 

[two_bit_score]

I always scan the flyer for TSC when it comes in the mail. Several good TSC stores on my usual travel routes so I have encountered a wide range of locations and employees/ management.

Sometimes I just stop in places like a TSC to stretch my legs and walk around, take a break from driving.
I notice the people as much as merchandise. Shoppers and employees. I’ve noticed people buying just about everything TSC sells.

The bargain bins. I didn’t care for them at first because they seemed in the way. But sometimes a guy just needs a cheap pair or three of pliers.

In some smaller towns they really seem to be filling a need for ‘stuff’ people use every day. I halfway expect to see them put a coffee pot and a few chairs off to the side at some places.

 

[forgeblast]

We have two near us, same distance apart. One has a guy that works, and is there to answer questions. The other store is like a ghost town but has things in stock. I wish he would move to the other store.