Tractor Supply not carrying parts in store?

MilGunsmith

Well-known member
I stopped in at two different Tractor Supply stores this weekend looking for some basic parts that here always on the shelf. The tractor parts area in both stores were stripped down to almost nothing and there is a catalog hanging there with a notice saying parts need to be ordered. If I have to order parts, I will go online and get a better deal. The stuff on the shelf was for convenience when something broke and a job need to get done. Have others seen the same thing in their local stores?
 
It seems they run out and then say "Oh, we are out....I better order some" and it takes 1-2 weeks to get restock.
 
My local NAPA just converted to CarQuest. These retail outlets are forcing me into becoming more of an online shopper than I already am. :?
 
Don McCombs":x7u6q2h3 said:
My local NAPA just converted to CarQuest. These retail outlets are forcing me into becoming more of an online shopper than I already am. :?
Then, they complain that we buy stuff online, not from them.
Ed
 
Sign of the times. Retail=corporate=investors. Shelf space is expensive. Investors and shareholders want a return on their investment. A 4 foot section of shelf space will be occupied by something that 'turns over' 4 times a month, versus once or twice a year. It's all about the Benjamin$. There it is.
 
Tractor Supply is a fairly new thing in eastern NC. We are long-accustomed to having to go to the dealer or a really good NAPA or CarQuest to actually buy tractor parts, most of what they stock has been impressive except it's pretty POS N series Ford-heavy. That said the stores around here IMO are pretty good. They all seem to have a good inventory of fencing supplies, fairly nice selection of tools, feed, and even a few small implements (box blades and stuff.) Their supply of generic-length hydraulic hoses, fittings, PTO parts, etc. has been pretty good too. Last spring they were the first place to have cabbage, broccoli, etc. plants for the garden. There's also plenty of "pretty" stuff to keep my wife busy when I have to go there. They had the best deal around on the last couple 6v batteries I've needed, and they seem to be good quality so far. They also are supporters of FFA on the national, state, and local level which I appreciate.

Al
 
Don McCombs":2e3mt5yx said:
My local NAPA just converted to CarQuest. These retail outlets are forcing me into becoming more of an online shopper than I already am. :?

My local CarQuest did just the opposite a couple years ago. They don't have near the amount of tractor stuff on hand as they did when they were CarQuest but they can get most anything I need, and usually in a day's time if I need it.

Al
 
The two I went to are both in rural farm communities. One is actually surrounded by a farm. So if they are changing things they stock to suit the shoppers, I think they didn't look around them.
 
Don McCombs":2pmbj3l9 said:
My local NAPA just converted to CarQuest. These retail outlets are forcing me into becoming more of an online shopper than I already am. :?
CarQuest is now part of Advanced Auto. Not the same as the CarQuest I used to love. NAPA is now my choice. But, I have one close.
 
Barnyard":6xanektr said:
If you guys ever get a Rural King you'll wonder why Tractor Supply is even in business.

Since Rural King opened up a store in Farmington, Missouri, which is about 20 miles or less from my house, I hardly go to Tractor Supply anymore. Rural King carries a lot more tractor stuff than Tractor Supply.
 
Barnyard":1784fc00 said:
If you guys ever get a Rural King you'll wonder why Tractor Supply is even in business.

I have been told.this by a friend of.mine up north.
I love tractor supply and orsheln but I noticed their stock and variety has been down past year or so.
 
Barnyard":36xbztic said:
If you guys ever get a Rural King you'll wonder why Tractor Supply is even in business.
I agree. There is one in North Alabama and it is awesome. As big as a Wal-Mart with way more tractor parts and hardware store type stuff. They even sell their own line of tractors (probably just rebadged with their name) out front! Probably not worth taking home, but they have them! I remember that they had 6 volt batteries at half the price of any I've ever found here. Like around $45 or so.
 
AL Farmall Boy":2ewi0h6i said:
Barnyard":2ewi0h6i said:
If you guys ever get a Rural King you'll wonder why Tractor Supply is even in business.
I agree. There is one in North Alabama and it is awesome. As big as a Wal-Mart with way more tractor parts and hardware store type stuff. They even sell their own line of tractors (probably just rebadged with their name) out front! Probably not worth taking home, but they have them! I remember that they had 6 volt batteries at half the price of any I've ever found here. Like around $45 or so.


The building it is in actually used to be a K-Mart ( Muscle Shoals, AL ), the RK tractors are rebadged TYM Tractors. There is a Tractor Supply around a mile or less down the road. I bought a pew-pew from the website and had it sent to the store a few weeks ago, and the employee told me they are opening another in Huntsville in the old Gander Mountain Building. That building was a Sam's Club 15+ years ago, and is around 150,000 sqft. The Muscle Shoals RK carries plow bolts. Their prices on batteries is better than anyone around, even golf cart batteries.

These farm stores showed up so late in the South, we don't really know what we are missing out on. With Tractor Supply Co., I can say that I have noticed a steady decline in what little they did carry, to what is on the shelf now. I buy a few nuts and bolts, and a salt block every for out cow, and that's about it. I did buy every FRAM filter from every store within a 100 mile radius when they dropped below $1 per filter. My local store 2 miles away never dropped price on theirs.
 
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