Frustration with local feed store options.

[Kodidog763]

I need to vent. I feel like I have really crappy feed store options (although I’m sure others have it much worse!). I live in an area just beyond the suburbs. I can be in a pretty big suburb in about 5 minutes, so it’s not like I live in the middle of nowhere.

We used to have a feed store about 5 miles from my house. They pretty much carried everything, and I loved it. They were bought out by a larger co-op which tried to turn it into more of a hardware type of store. It failed miserably, and they closed a short time later. :mad: I was buying their own branded feed (which my horses were doing well on). When they closed, I was forced to drive to a sister location which was around 40 minutes away. I hated it there - it was inconvenient to get to, and I didn’t like the staff. So I decided to switch the horses to something that was easier to get.

We have a Tractor Supply about 15 minutes from my house or a Fleet Farm about 20 minutes in the opposite direction. They both carry Purina or Nutrena. I ended up switching to Empower Balance for my younger mare, and Safe Choice Senior for my two older horses. I can get the Senior at either TSC or FF - it is a dollar cheaper at FF. I can only get the Balance at TSC. TSC is a special trip - the only thing between my house and TSC is farmland, so it’s not like I can stop in to TSC while out running errands. FF is in one of the close by suburbs, so I can stop in while running other errands. Getting the Senior is never an issue, however getting the Balance has been a challenge.

I went to TSC yesterday to pick up more Balance (I’ve got a few days worth left). I found zero bags on the shelf. I asked a manager if they had any in the back, and she said “probably” as they had JUST gotten a feed delivery and it hadn’t been unpacked yet. She came back out and said no she didn’t have any, but she was sure she had ordered some that week, so she would be getting some soon. This is not the first time this has happened (more like the 4th or 5th). So today I went to another TSC which is around 20 minutes from home. Yep - they were out too. Awesome. :no: There are no other TSCs in the area.

Am I missing something? How hard is it to keep something in stock?

I’m frustrated and would like to quit relying on TSC for feed, but FF doesn’t carry any ration balancers at all (and this mare has been doing GREAT on the Balance). We do have a feed store which recently opened, and is only around 10 minutes from home, but they only carry their own milled sweet feed, and ADM. I could do the research and see if there is an ADM product I could use instead, but I can’t get that ANYWHERE else, so if they close, or if there is an issue, I’ll have to switch to something else. Doesn’t seem like a great option.

There is a pet store (around 15 minutes away but in an area with other stores so I can run errands and stop by) and they can order Triple Crown products, but it is by special order. They don’t carry it in the store (they don’t carry any horse feed in the store). That doesn’t seem ideal either. However I can also get it at the very inconvenient feed store with the staff I don’t like if there is an emergency. So maybe that should be my next option.

I don’t know. I’m just so irritated. It doesn’t seem like it should be this hard to get a ration balancer.

[goodhors]

Buy more at one time and start looking for more before you only have a few days worth left!

You are part of the problem, waiting to refill with small amount left. TSC has no control of when folks will want more and buy up the shelf stock. Computer in charge of stock reorders when record shows low or zero quantity, but often feed has a longer lead time, slower to arrive than expected. Seasonal issues may be part of the problem, or new horse owners buying more than previous records show store needing.

We used to have a beet pulp problem in late summer with 4-H cattle kids buying it up for show cows at Fair. I just stock up now in June to have enough to last thru August when the 3 Fairs are done. I don’t have a problem now of running out and no beet pulp to be found.

If you have trouble finding your choice of feeds, buy more before you get even low. Maybe put your name down at TSC to backorder, so you get first dibs on the next order coming in.

[Texarkana]

OP- I feel your pain. The TSC close to me is terrible about keeping things in stock.

One idea if it’s really difficult to reliably get feed is to order a vit/min supplement and feed it with something like alfalfa pellets, oats, or beet pulp! Although my TSC runs out of all above with regularity.

[Kodidog763]

You are part of the problem, waiting to refill with small amount left.
And I do typically refill when I have more than a few days left. However, sometimes, you just can’t get there. TSC is not on the way to anything else, so it’s not as if I’m just being lazy and not stopping there when I’m out running errands.

[billiebob]

I feed a mix of Ultium and Purina Senior for this very reason. There have been a few times when my (awesome) local feed store is out of Ultium but at least the horses are used to Senior so I can manage for a few days. I also live 25 miles outside of town, so it’s a PITA to only make one stop.

Honestly? I’d think about feeding a vitamin/mineral supplement with a handful or two of senior feed or alfalfa pellets or beet pulp. It sounds like getting the ration balancer is continually a headache. It stinks living somewhere where things aren’t restocked regularly.

[Simkie]

I feel your pain! (Oh, boy, do I!)

I feed only what I can get at Fleet Farm. Tractor Supply is a joke and so often SO much more $$ for the same item. I’m not going back to our local feed store (which, AFAIK, is the ONLY local feed store) after busting my butt to get up there before they close and finding that they’re out of flax…again…and don’t know when they’re going to get anymore. Argh.

I really think I’ve seen the Empower Balance at my FF. Have you talked to them about it? Maybe they can order?

[gumtree]

I am going to back the OP on this. My 2 local Tractor Supply have the worst inventory control of any store I have ever done business with. I have pointed this out to the managers over the years. They get frustrated also and get tired of hearing the complaints from their customers. The individual stores have no say by and large on inventory. It is all done at the “corporate level”. It seems all stores are treated the same regardless of their “regional demand”. Seems to me if 10 widgets sell out each month by the middle of the month they would pick up on this and send 15 the next month. If that sells out by the third week than ship 20. Keep adjusting until the “water” finds its own level.

In this day and age of computer controlled inventory how hard can it be? It’s not like they have pay someone to do an inventory count once a week. They are very poor at “moving” old inventory out. They just let it sit in the yard for years. There are 8 porta-paddock panels that are not the “popular” type that I have seen sitting in the yard for years. So many so they are starting to rust. Didn’t even have a price on them anymore. I asked for the price. Way over what I was willing to give and asked for a discount. The store manager came out and knocked 10% off. I kind of laughed and said these have been here for years, yes they have never been used but they look used. I offered 50% and was turned down. That was well over 1 ½ years ago and they are still there. Lots of other stuff in their outdoor yard that has been sitting there since the store opened 10 years ago. I know because I go there all the time.

You can ask them to check another stores inventory before driving there. But that is not always reliable either.

Fortunately I don’t have to buy my feed from them. We are located in a big horse area so there are lots of choices. I get mine made at a family owned feed mill and delivered once a week.

[Kodidog763]

I appreciate everyone’s comments & ideas!

I really think I’ve seen the Empower Balance at my FF. Have you talked to them about it? Maybe they can order?
I think I will talk to FF to see if it’s something they can carry. If not, I may talk to the pet store and see if I can just have them order TC on a set schedule.

[Kodidog763]

I found another store (Runnings) that also carries Empower Balance. We have one about 20 miles from home, so while not exactly convenient, at least it gives me another back up option, if TSC continues to struggle with stock.

[fordtraktor]

I get my Triple Crown through a feed store that has to order it for me. I have found it to be extremely convenient though you do have to sort of plan yourself. You also want to keep their truck schedule in mind so you have to order with a weeks’ worth left at least, not a couple days because they don’t have a truck going every day. But it ensures that the grain is fresh, they always have exactly the number of bags I order, and I know exactly when I need it. It works out very well. I do have a backup store that shelves it half an hour away so if I screw up I can go there.

Honestly, you have a lot of feed store options pretty close! I do feel your pain on TSC, they are always out of whatever I need.

[LauraKY]

This is a Tractor Supply problem. They are either unable or unwilling to keep their shelves stocked and it appears to be a top down, corporate problem. I have to drive 45 miles to KBC in Lexington for Empower Balance. They always have it in stock. My local TCs refuse to carry it and the next closest store is out half the time.

My TC was out of the small stall salt blocks for months. I don’t understand how they stay in business. If you complain to corporate, they just have the local store manager call you.

[goodhors]

[QUOTE=Kodidog763;8207848]
And I do typically refill when I have more than a few days left. However, sometimes, you just can’t get there. TSC is not on the way to anything else, so it’s not as if I’m just being lazy and not stopping there when I’m out running errands.[/QUOTE]

I got that they are just NEVER on your way anyplace, which is difficult. However maybe a call to see if they have stock before going, in either location will save you time and gas. Make getting there for feed a priority monthly, will save you getting angry, running short by shopping when it is more convenient.

Hope the other store stocks what you need, so you have more options for locating that kind of feed instead of going without.

[SmartAlex]

I’m in the same boat OP. I can feed Empower (from TSC) or Purina Enrich (from the feed store on my way home). Availability is sketchy. I have to think a month ahead and I frequently have to blend what I get.

Whenever you narrow your choices it involves more planning and calling. Nothing is ever easy these days.

[DHCarrotfeeder]

[QUOTE=Kodidog763;8207722]
I don’t know. I’m just so irritated. It doesn’t seem like it should be this hard to get a ration balancer. :([/QUOTE]

The special order situation may be reasonable if you are a consistent user and buy in enough quantity, maybe they will be willing to stock at least a months worth of grain for you.

Then if they are already ordering stuff from that supplier, they can add your grain with those truckloads and keep it as simple as possible.

The only thing is you may need to commit to paying for an additional month of grain if you suddenly stop buying it.

David

[LauraKY]

TC is terrible about filling special orders…so don’t get your hopes up.

[Mosey_2003]

Do you have a grain elevator/CoOp local? They usually are really good about ordering what you want.

[SmartAlex]

[QUOTE=LauraKY;8208632]
TC is terrible about filling special orders…so don’t get your hopes up.[/QUOTE]

Famous last words: “It should be on Tuesday’s truck. But there are no guarantees.”

Our local staff is very helpful. They’ve been there a long time, and they do try to help. But even they don’t know.

[Kodidog763]

Do you have a grain elevator/CoOp local? They usually are really good about ordering what you want.
Sadly no. The place that closed was good like this, but now the closest Co-op has terrible, terrible service. There is another co-op in the area, but I’ve called there a few times asking about different horse feeds, and they don’t seem to carry much at all for horses.

I did send a note to Fleet Farm corporate to see if carrying Balance was an option (or if it’s a decision made at store level) since they do have other Nutrena products. So we’ll see what they say.

[Kodidog763]

Wow! Two thumbs up for customer service at Fleet Farm! They responded to my e-mail today and indicated they would be happy to start carrying Empower Balance and that I would find it in the store as of July 10th. How awesome is that?!

I spent over an hour on the phone today with Comcast and their terrible customer service, so the great service from Fleet Farm was a great surprise.

[Simkie]

Yay! That’s exciting!

(I looked at their website and I think what I’ve been seeing at my local store is Empower BOOST.)

I also saw that we could have gotten a nicer utility yard trailer for Mr S’s tractor for less money at FF. Grrrrrr. I think the lesson here is to forget Tractor Supply exists!