If I had to sum up everything that is wrong with American culture, I'd do it with three words: Tractor Supply Co. The one retail category that should remain sacred--untouched by corporate hands--at least in my mind, is farming. OK, perhaps that's a pipe dream given that most farming in our country is, in fact, very, very corporate, but I take serious issue with this reality. Many (including all but one or two of the in-town) mom n' pops of the industry have been driven out of business by (among other things) the money grubbing big box that is Tractor Supply Co. And I fear that they are driving more and more of the rural farm supply stores out of business every day.
When you go to a feed store, you are supposed to find a whole bunch of specialty products that would baffle the untrained eye and whose only hint at implementation is an icon of a pig, sheep or other similar livestock/plant. An old man in overalls (who you know by name and who knows you by name) is supposed to greet you and help you with your purchase, offering advice that spans the seasons--and the decades. His grandson is supposed to load your pick-up truck. A few cats should be milling around the premises. Other, like-minded outdoorsy types are supposed to be on-hand for shootin' the shit (be it swine, bovine or equine) and swapping tips on de-worming a large herd. Baby chicks are most likely available on a seasonal basis. And you should drive away with everything you need...some of the items will arrive back at the store in about a week (they had to be special ordered, but they were, at no extra charge). That's the way it is supposed to be. Generations upon generations of Americans did it this way, and were happy--not frustrated or annoyed. It's not that way anymore. And Tractor Supply Co. doesn't have any of the amenities that I described above, well unless you count the frustrated and annoyed bit. At Tractor Supply Co., many items are out of stock, most of the employees (at the front registers, mind you, since there are none to be found walking the aisles) have no idea what they are selling and it's Home-Depotish in the sense that there is never a single, trained employee around to help you out or offer sage advice; actually, there is nobody around period until you decide to check out and then there is a really, really long line (it almost drove me, a straight and sorta narrow, to shoplift with reckless abandon). I guess I can get used to the fact that most farming, especially on a small scale, must now be done on line. But I mourn the days-gone-by when an interested party walked down to the general store to "make groceries" and "jot down" to the proprietor what was needed for this year's season. Still, if we have to spend our hard-earned dollars somewhere that specializes in what we need for our farm fantasy, even if it is some kind of crappy big-box, it should at least be nice and shop-able. Not totally and completely sucky. Right? Boo to you Tractor Supply Co. You swooped down with your deep pockets and your fancy sign and made it hard for smaller scale operations to compete. Then you decided that, unlike your foundering competitors, you would offer nothing in the way of customer service to your patrons. Way to go. Sure, you charge a dollar or two less. But is it worth it? I say no. Though your web site is nice (which is the only thing that earns them the second star) compared to your hell-on-earth of a store, it will be hard for me to give you a single penny more of my business. read more