TSC has a New Supplier

[johnk]

I just stopped in at my TSC store and picked up their new 2009 catalog. The 3 pt equipment is now made or imported from County Line Tractor supply. On the equipment page it says Quote " TSC is proud to introduce our new brand of high Quality, competitively priced ag products." It also states that Countyline products come with a satisfaction guarantee. It looks like the same old equipment to me such as Farm force, KK or whatever.... Just thought I'd let you know what I found.....

 

[framer]

If it was gray color looked like another way for tsc to increase profits.
low quality in my opinion. Framer

 

[johnk]

Maybe it's just me but it seems like over the last year the prices have gone up substantially and not as many customers seem to be browsing in the store. I just hope they aren't the next victim to the economy...

 

[Dan in CT]

They seem to be one of the few corporations that are actually doing well! Here's a clip from their 2008 results release......

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tractor Supply Company (Nasdaq: TSCO), the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, today announced financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended December 27, 2008. Additionally, the Company reaffirmed the fiscal 2009 outlook it provided last week.

Fourth Quarter Results

Net sales increased 10.5% to $799.5 million from $723.3 million in the prior year's fourth quarter. Same-store sales increased 1.3% compared with a 3.8% gain in the prior year's fourth quarter. Same-store sales growth was primarily driven by core consumable categories, including animal and pet-related products, clothing and footwear.

 

[pitt_md]

The company may be doing ok as a whole but the store close to me seems to have been devistated when the SUPER Fleet Farm opened just down the road.

 

[forester2]

Unfortunately for many of us out there, we don't have the Farm & Fleets and Rural Kings. In the past we had Cent. Tractor and Quality Stores, both now gone. Hence in those areas Tractor does not have the mass merchant competition. The good news is, this can help strengthen the local dealers and stores. Hopefully, the suppliers now see the danger of treating large buyers differently from the local dealer and offers them the same deals. How much do you think KK's business is down as a result of Tractor taking in other lines?

 

[Gittyup]

County Line must've made TSC a better deal than KK. I'm sure TSC sees them as interchangeable. So, they go with the most profitable proposal. I do see they have a pretty heavy duty set of implement options in their new catalog. Don't recall the old catalog having quite the selection of grades.

 

[FrogLick]

It looks to me like County Line is the new name for implements that TSC will sell and not the actual name of a specific manufacturer. Kind of a TSC brand kind of thing so who knows where implements will actually be made and by who. Guess we'll just have to see what the stock looks like and the user reports start coming in.

 

[johnk]

I was in there again today and they had a Dark Horse 6' rototiller for 900. The 6' KKII was 1700. It almost looks like the same tiller. I guess they are cleaning house and trying to stick with one brand now. I asked about parts for the DH and the guy said they are readily available and interchanable with the Dark Horse.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Do you mean interchangeable with KK?

I noticed Northern has some lower priced tillers too now. Center gearbox I don't know who's design that is.

 

[Baby Grand]

Quote from Froglick:

It looks to me like County Line is the new name for implements that TSC will sell and not the actual name of a specific manufacturer. Kind of a TSC brand kind of thing so who knows where implements will actually be made and by who. Guess we'll just have to see what the stock looks like and the user reports start coming in.

Quote from johnk:

I was in there again today and they had a Dark Horse 6' rototiller for 900. The 6' KKII was 1700. It almost looks like the same tiller. I guess they are cleaning house and trying to stick with one brand now. I asked about parts for the DH and the guy said they are readily available and interchanable with the Dark Horse.

Maybe Country Line is a way to bring Dark Horse back after it's fatal first date. If so, I'll wager they won't paint them grey again - they should name it the Lazarus Line. I hope they don't mess this up - I like my local TSC and the people who work there.

Jim

 

[johnk]

Do you mean interchangeable with KK?

I noticed Northern has some lower priced tillers too now. Center gearbox I don't know who's design that is.

Thats what I asked the guy working there and he said they would. Then when I asked him about the tines looking different there was silence.

 

[crashz]

I found asking people at TSC is a waste of time.

Last month I went in to buy a carry-all. When I asked, none of the employees knew what one was. They called the manager over, he politely stated that they did not have any in stock and would have to order it. I left, thinking i could get it up in NewHampshire just as easily. While walking to my truck, I passed the fenced area where they have the implements and they had about a dozen in stock and sitting right out front.

I bought one. And it the process, educated a few people as well as myself.

 

[froggy]

Probably more chinese junk.

 

[Slippy]

I saw the 6' KK rototiller for $1800, 5' for $1700 at TSC. No Dark Horse stuff, but everything else was Farm Force.

 

[Gary Fowler]

The only thing I have been able to get from TSC is hitch pins. I was going to buy some stabilizer bars for the 3 PH but they only had one of each type and would have to order the other one. I ended up ordering and original factory stabilizer online from Hoye tractor for about the same price as TSC would have sold me the alternative style. My local Baytown TSC is very poorly stocked.

 

[Dan in CT]

I was in TSC yesterday, and asked the assistant manager (my wife, actually) to look up the supplier of the new County Line implements - guess what, still made by King Kutter.

 

[Licklog]

Not exactly on topic but I got an email today from TSC. They have an online promo from 4PM til Midnight.

10% off online purchases

Promo Code "SAVINGS"

 

[George in Spokane]

People criticize KK but I like them. I have a bushhog, box blade and back blade. I find it fine for the occasional use I do.

 

[Slippy]

I don't think you can buy 3pt equipment on line though.