Orscheln's Farm & Home??

We only have Tractor Supply and it hasn't been here for very long. I've bought a few things in there. Everything else is locally owned, I like to trade with one locally owned place in particular, because my family has always traded with them. Anyway, I don't think Tractor Supply is all that great. I was excited when they opened it, because I had heard everyone on the forum talking about the store. But, they don't have what I'm needing usually. I was really surprised to see that they don't carry scoop seed, every seed they had was in small pre-packaged amounts. Didn't have a very good selection, either.

Our Orschlen's has only been open for about 2 1/2 yeaqrs (3 in the fall). When they first started, it took them a few months to figure out what people of this area needed. They were really helpful in trying to stock items people need that originally weren't on the shelves. They've done a great job and are as helpful as they can be.

we have an orschelns, tsc and atwoods. i say they are all pricey but that's just my opinion. orscheln's had the best chick variety and most of their staff is really nice and actually know what they are talking about. i don't like atwoods. now tsc is great (the one i go to anyways)cause the manager is always around and super helpful. plus if i need hubby to pick up something they will bring it up to the register so he doesn't have to wander around looking for it. i think it depends on what you are wanting. orschelns has good sales and the rewards card is nice but i've only ever bought stuff on sale there and the chicks and ducks. i haven't been back since i grabbed a cart an employee was using(it was in with the other carts), oops didn't realize, i said sorry, she gave me a nasty look and i got my stuff and got out of there. maybe she was having a bad night but i really prefer tsc if i have to choose. i buy my feed at a local family owned place though.

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kristin

Orscheln's here is higher usually than the TSC store we have. AND they are usually, as mentioned by previous posters, out of what ever it is we need.

But, Orschelns is building a new store in town. I find it shocking, because more room doesn't mean they will keep it stocked any better, or that the help will become miraculously knowledgable or friendly! Maybe they'll keep it cleaner, though! I'll be curious to see what that does for their pricing.

Yeah, that's been my experience as well. (Is your Orschlen's a former Country General/S&S also?)

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~*~Erin~*~
SAHM, ranch wife, sub and quilt shop proprietress
the Back Gate Country Quilt Shop

We had a Wheeler's store in town (BEST farm store of ANY.....), then it went to a Country General when Old Man Wheeler sold his stores. When CG went belly up, it became a Dollar General. We were without a farm store for a few years until Orschlen's built a new store. I like it better then TSC, even though the inventory is less. They are also cheaper on most stuff then TSC (here). Besides, TSC is a 35 mile drive - Orschlen's is only 3....

Our local Orscheln's went out of business soon after a TSC opened up. Their selection wasn't that great (but they had a huge selection of plumbing parts). I prefer TSC.

Oh, I liked S&S. We had one in Chadron and Gordon and I liked the service and selection at both.
About the time Wheelers was bought out by Country General, so was S&S (truth be told, I though they were part of the same co.). I was never quite as impressed with CG as I was with S&S. But I knew Orscheln's had bought up a bunch of the old CGs but not all.
Valentine's, for example, went to Bomgaars! My favorite farm/ranch store.

I think my nearest Tractor Supply would be in No.Platte, about 150 miles away. Obviously when they say they have the "stuff you need out here", they don't mean they're this far out...

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~*~Erin~*~
SAHM, ranch wife, sub and quilt shop proprietress
the Back Gate Country Quilt Shop

In my area, they're about the same.

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Building an earth home: http://www.freewebs.com/stocktonunderground

Yeah - I LIKE Bomgaars! Unforunatly, there aren't any around.....

Man- I wish we had an Orschelns like some of you have. Ours not only is poorly stocked and expensive but they are famous for their poor service and the employees bad attitudes.....Whenever possible, I drive 40 miles to a feed dealer for most things ---- right past an Orschelns 10 miles from the house.
I confess that I have never been in a TSC but I love their commercials.
Tana Mc

seem to be a little less expensive localy than tsc and do often have good deals on the broken bags .the tsc just puts a piece of tape on the bag and still wants full price . do have to wonder about the rough handling to make so many broken bags but then a bargan is a bargan .bothe the tsc and the orchlin stores tend to be the out of place but then i asume they have what everyone else needs . orchlins has had a set up where the parking lot is scheduled for small animal swap trade in the spring smart move because after a trade so many of them have to buy all the feed and feeders for thier new critter

John,
I'm not sure where you're located in hoosierland, but if you're asking about the Orscheln in Ellettsville you'd be better off taking a drive....

Every one of their stores (that we've been in) have significantly higher prices than TSC or Rural King. They also have had much less "customer oriented" employees. The Elletsville store seems to have this in spades. Most of the employees have no clue what the store stocks not what the product is used for! If you're in Monroe county, I'd drive up to Martinsville's Rural King or wait until your near a TSC (Franklin, etc). Let me put it this way, my wife goes past Orschlen everyday on her way to work but never stops. Instead we drive 30min the other way to get to TSC!

HTH,
Mike

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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke

Keeping it together with prayer and the "Handyman's secret weapon" - duct tape!

Rose,
If you're in Greene county, why are you driving to the Terre Haute TSC? There's one in Martinsville and the prices are usually 20-30% cheaper.

Just a thought.

HTH,
Mike

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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke

Keeping it together with prayer and the "Handyman's secret weapon" - duct tape!

Hi Mike & M39Fan,

We're out in Sweet Owen County, off IN-46.
It's about 40 mi. to the TSC in Terra Haute. And, it's just a little closer to the Rural King at T.Haute.
It's less'n 20 mi. to the Orscheln's at Elletsville. It's close to an hour drive to Martinsville and the Rural King there.
I'm not sure about the Greene County stores. It's easy for me just to get on
IN-46, and quicker. I'd have to save a bit at TSC to justify twice the drive.
DSW Works in Bloomington & can pick up most of what I need on the way home. She doesn't always get "exactly" what I need, but close enough.

Thanks Y'all

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Be Intense, always. But always take the time to
Smell the Roses, give a Hug, Really Listen, or
Jump to Defend your Friends & What you Believe in.
'Til later, Have Fun,
Old John

Well then, HI NEIGHBOR! We're between Cuba & Cataract in Owen. Small world!

If you're over on 46, Orschlein would probably be closer than TSC or Rural King. Hope you know EXACTLY what you need and how to use it tho' because the staff at Ellettsville don't have a clue! Hopefully, it'll get better but right now they're pretty pathetic. :-(

Take Care,
Mike

__________________
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke

Keeping it together with prayer and the "Handyman's secret weapon" - duct tape!