TSC Store

[trackrat]

whats y'all's problem with tsc

caters to the most profitable clients what we used to call hobby farmers sadly now i be one only thing I normally buy there are bolts and occasional hyd hose

 

[trackrat]

Here I remember it being Central Tractor. Had one store about 45 minutes away. Don’t think there were any other in the area. They sold all types of salvage tractor parts and farm related items. When they closed/switched hands or whatever happened their used tractor inventory was scrapped.

I bought a lot of parts and other ag. supplies from central in years long past, miss them they were a different kettle of fish from tsc

 

[trackrat]

A "senior forum", that might be, but that post a few weeks ago about who had actually farmed for a living or does now was real eye opening. The number probably figured out to about 3%. The number of folks who ever knew TSC as a real source of tractor parts is probably just a fraction of that 3%. Is there anybody else on here who remembers them having just a few stores, where you went up to a parts counter like you do at a dealership? I doubt it. It's just piling on based on how little TSC has now with no memory of what they used to be.

I won't fall into that trap again asked the question a while back about how many on this forum were actually ever farmers got jumped for asking that, was told that it was insulting to ask that so what does it matter

 

[rrlund]

I won't fall into that trap again asked the question a while back about how many on this forum were actually ever farmers got jumped for asking that, was told that it was insulting to ask that so what does it matter

It was a legitimate question. Real eye opening as to who here are armchair quarterbacks on some subjects. I'm glad you asked.

 

[JOCCO]

Ok I am going to jump in. Here is my issues with them 1. limited inventory more like a hardware or feed and seed at least around me. 2. I don't like there prices they are the highest meaning I can beat them at every turn! 3. Most everything I can order and have it shipped to me, from someone else. There stores are a good drive from me. Other stores are the same COOKIE CUTTER design meaning they have the same selection of gloves or nuts bolts. Just different name on the sign.

 

[john in la]

Just like a child that didn’t take on dads 50 cow dairy farm because it’s no longer profitable god forbid a store getting rid things that don’t sell and replacing it with things that do sell.
It’s no longer the 1950s or 60s where family farms dotted the country side and a farm store was needed. Today those family farms are either bought up by a BTO that has a mechanic that brings his own parts bought wholesale or they are hobby horse farms where the owner has a full time job in town.

So TSC had a business decision to make. Supplying the BTO was a no go. So they could either close up like the family farm did or change strategy and supply the hobby farm that was getting their tractor parts from the dealer with horse/chicken feed and dog shampoo.
And anyone that thinks this wasn’t a good choice to make is stuck in the 1950s.

 

[NDIHC]

I went to TSC yesterday. I bought dog food, cat food and some construction screws. Prices were pretty much the same as the same products at either Menards or Fleet Farm. And I was in and out in 5 minutes. I didn't have to look at a store directory or online to find what I wanted because the store isn't the size of 4 football fields.

 

[Frank(Mi.)]

I have three TSC stores within twenty miles of me, three Ace Hardware stores within the same distance and one Rural King about forty miles away. TSC easily beats Ace on any price, and they also have slightly better prices than Rural King. I am glad to have them here...

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

The one I go to used to be Quality Farm and Fleet. I never knew if TSC was a different company or just rebranding. Used to be pretty good when I needed something but the last few years the parts section seemed to be dwindling.

 

[Wdj]

When the first TS C opened locally it was stocked with a lot of tractor and actual farm stuff. Over the next couple years those things dwindled down to not much. Still the low price leader on oil and animal feed. Competitive on other things. Friendly, competent staff, convenient access, I'm glad they came into the area. I used to drive around 100 miles one way to get to that type of store.

 

[rrlund]

When the first TS C opened locally it was stocked with a lot of tractor and actual farm stuff. Over the next couple years those things dwindled down to not much. Still the low price leader on oil and animal feed. Competitive on other things. Friendly, competent staff, convenient access, I'm glad they came into the area. I used to drive around 100 miles one way to get to that type of store.

I think what they stock is pretty much up to the store manager. The one in Ionia has a lot more equipment related parts than the one in Greenville. I'm OK with them being the suburban store that they are, it's just when I go there for something that I'm pretty sure they do have, like a 60 roller chain half link, and the whole two foot by two foot roller chain section is empty but for a few odd ball links, that's when my blood pressure rises. They've been times they didn't have something, and when I asked if they were getting any in soon, they've said "We only order those once a year in season" when the season wasn't over.

 

[trackrat]

To stay in business a store has to stock what is profitable and what sells I don't blame them for the change it is just frustrating to not have the source for parts and supplies anymore

 

[Brown David]

 

[GChief]

View attachment 141920

I would think he's a little overdressed to be a YT member.

 

[1948CaseVAI]

"too young to have actually lived it"......I doubt that. With the exception of a few, I think this is a very senior forum.

Exactly right. That explains the rants against a business that follows the law regarding making money for their investors and doesn't stock many parts for ancient machines owned by people so cheap they would stretch a penny into copper wire.

 

[Brown David]

I would think he's a little overdressed to be a YT member.

I agree.

The point remains though.

 

[GChief]

I agree.

The point remains though.

And he does not have on the rose-colored glasses that many look through on here

 

[JOCCO]

I think what they stock is pretty much up to the store manager. The one in Ionia has a lot more equipment related parts than the one in Greenville. I'm OK with them being the suburban store that they are, it's just when I go there for something that I'm pretty sure they do have, like a 60 roller chain half link, and the whole two foot by two foot roller chain section is empty but for a few odd ball links, that's when my blood pressure rises. They've been times they didn't have something, and when I asked if they were getting any in soon, they've said "We only order those once a year in season" when the season wasn't over.

I don't agree on that (what they stock). Most of theses places are corporate controlled. The tip was when he told you he could only order it once a year! My best advice to you: look at places online (not sure) if TSC has online ship to you, as I don't use them. I had to go that route as its not available around me. I too got frustrated plus having to drive an hour or more. Also prices all out of wack if they have it. I needed a drive shaft for implement $400 at stores or dealers $150 on evil bay showed up 2-3 days we installed and that was that.

 

[rrlund]

I don't agree on that (what they stock). Most of theses places are corporate controlled. The tip was when he told you he could only order it once a year! My best advice to you: look at places online (not sure) if TSC has online ship to you, as I don't use them. I had to go that route as its not available around me. I too got frustrated plus having to drive an hour or more. Also prices all out of wack if they have it. I needed a drive shaft for implement $400 at stores or dealers $150 on evil bay showed up 2-3 days we installed and that was that.

My son worked there for a while. There's a store manager and a district manager. The store manager has some control over his or her store, but ultimately answers to the district manager at some point.

 

[moresmoke]

My biggest complaint about these stores, or retailers in general is their websites. I like to be able to go on to a company's website and check to see if they even stock what I am looking for. I live an hour from anything. I also live an hour from everything. Problem is that its not all in the same direction. If I need whatever little bit today, I like to be able to make an educated guess as to which store might have it in stock. I understand they can't have a live inventory, but some of their websites really don't convey if the item is even sold in stores. Many have jumped on the third party reseller wagon and have all manner of stuff listed, when its not something carried in their stores.

If I don't need that little bit today, there is a good chance I will just order it anyway as the cities that are an hour away are greedy with their local sales taxes. Anything that I can have shipped saves me 4% on tax.