A Tractor Supply is due to open in our town in the next few weeks. As a result they are starting to send us their national weekly flyers. There is a Murdocks Farm and Ranch Supply about 25 miles from here. We buy some pet food and supplies and stuff we can't find at the local True Value. Looking at the Tractor Supply flyer makes me think that Tractor Supply looks like a lower class Murdocks. Some of the merchandise looked like Harbor Freght. What is the quality of Tractor Supply's tools, hardware, etc. compared it to Murdocks and Harbor Freight?

Never heard of Murdocks but I would say the TS around here has some items that are slightly better than Harbor Freight and some that are about the same...just depends on the item. I will say, when I walk into TS, I'm not overwhelmed by the Chinese rubber tire smell like Harbor Freight :)They also carry a far amount of pet food/supplies and, of course, larger livestock stuff.

Don't know about tools, but the nuts, bolts, screws, lag bolts, etc are sold by the pound, much cheaper than HD or Lowes.

I don't think any store sells stuff as cheap as harbor freight, your one use tool store. Tractor supply is a few steps above harbor freight.

We have a new Tractor Supply near us as well as a couple within 50 miles. While I can't compare them to Murdock's, I can say that their merchandise is better than anything I have seen in Harbor Freight. There have only been one or two items I have had a problem with and kind of expected to. They carry many name brand items as well as some "budget friendly" names. All-in-all they have been a welcome addition to our area.

Questions about Tractor Supply | Good Sam Community

hotbyte
Explorer
Sep 17, 2014
Never heard of Murdocks but I would say the TS around here has some items that are slightly better than Harbor Freight and some that are about the same...just depends on the item. I will say, when I walk into TS, I'm not overwhelmed by the Chinese rubber tire smell like Harbor Freight :)

They also carry a far amount of pet food/supplies and, of course, larger livestock stuff.
newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2014
they are the same company
mikhen
Explorer
Sep 17, 2014
Don't know about tools, but the nuts, bolts, screws, lag bolts, etc are sold by the pound, much cheaper than HD or Lowes.
K_Charles
Explorer
Sep 17, 2014
I don't think any store sells stuff as cheap as harbor freight, your one use tool store. Tractor supply is a few steps above harbor freight.
RedGATitan
Explorer
Sep 17, 2014
We have a new Tractor Supply near us as well as a couple within 50 miles. While I can't compare them to Murdock's, I can say that their merchandise is better than anything I have seen in Harbor Freight. There have only been one or two items I have had a problem with and kind of expected to. They carry many name brand items as well as some "budget friendly" names. All-in-all they have been a welcome addition to our area.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2014
Also it is more of what the name says. They carry a lot of farm stuff, horse feed, water troughs, fencing, fence posts and things like that, as well as CarHart clothing, and boots. It is a really cool place. I bought 2 cattle gates with mesh from them, Just to make it easier to back the TT into the backyard.
rexlion
Explorer
Sep 17, 2014
Same company? Never heard that before. Any documentation?

The product lines have some overlap but many differences as well. For example, HF doesn't carry saddle racks but TSC does.
Kit_Carson
Explorer
Sep 18, 2014
I buy bird seed from our local TS...cheapest place around....35 lb bag for $9.99. Have bought some hardware items there but mostly just the bird seed.
Thunder_Mountai
Explorer II
Sep 18, 2014
rexlion wrote:
Same company? Never heard that before. Any documentation?

The product lines have some overlap but many differences as well. For example, HF doesn't carry saddle racks but TSC does.

OP here. Was wondering the same thing. All three are owned by different corporations. Took about five minutes on the Internet to check.
Crazy_Ray
Explorer
Sep 18, 2014
TOOLS still MADE IN CHINA