I need to start my own feed store

  • I need to start my own feed store

    Posted by Texgal on January 27, 2023 at 9:09 pm

    Ok how many times have you said that to yourself? I’ll bet you’re thinking I say that today because of the prices, but no. It was another experience that prompted me to say this.

    TSC is 12 miles or so up the road on a tollway, so I thought, “support the local feed store only 5 miles from the house”. Never been there before, but for reasons you all know, I thought it is time to support the local business. Takes same amount of time and the cost of the feed is only couple bucks more. Paying about the same considering i have to pay toll to drive up to TSC.

    But what got me, was I walk into their store and there were no prices on any of the feed. Now, I grew up under the old adage that if there is no price on something, I can’t afford it. So immediately I got a little uncomfortable. But I looked around and it wasn’t just the feed. There were no prices on ANYTHING. I asked the cashier about this and she was completely unconcerned. I had to tell her what feed I was interested in and she looked it up on her computer. I mean, how hard is it to just print out a sheet of paper with the list of feed and their prices and hang it up somewhere? They didn’t even have them on their website.

    I was disgusted when I left and thought I ought to just open my own feedstore; that is a terrible way to do business. But then I started laughing at myself because honestly, I grew up in a small town and remember going with Daddy to the feed store when I was little and I thought has hard as I could and I don’t remember them having any prices on feed there either. So I guess I got citified expecting to have prices on everything LOL.

    So what is it? Those of you still living in rural areas and use a feed mill or small feed store where you get your animal feed, do they bother pricing their products or do you just ask?

    GardengirlCS replied 1 year, 10 months ago 5 Members · 9 Replies
  • 9 Replies
  • potpourri_of_life

    Member
    January 27, 2023 at 9:40 pm

    Our Blue Seal store has “some” pricing, but they are really fun and interactive people, that I just ask when things are not listed. I purchased all the grains I wanted in bulk. None were in the store, but they looked each one up, told me the price, placed them into my order if I wanted it. Paid, then went to the delivery/pick-up pad where they loaded it all into my vehicle.

    I tried Agway, and usually a good place to buy from, something has changed, where the pricing is much higher than other places and they are a wee bit snobbish. sigh…I’ve been purchasing wild bird seed from them for a long time. I have a Duncraft about a mile away that I can get my wild bird feed from.

    If you do go into business for yourself, and if your prices are a little higher than others around you, make sure you have great customer service. I always go back to where the custer service appreciates their customer.

    Yes, we have TSC but we have transitioned, and I’m really happy because Blue Seal is less costly.

    • Texgal

      Member
      January 27, 2023 at 9:46 pm

      I was off my high-horse by the time I got home. 🙂 So I won’t be opening a feed store, but I so agree with you about customer service!

      • potpourri_of_life

        Member
        January 27, 2023 at 10:19 pm

        LOL I totally understood the rationale of your post. But, it does make one wonder if that is something to consider, more so with the many changes happening in our world.

  • SLINGSHOT

    Member
    January 27, 2023 at 9:44 pm

    I’ve seen a couple of people get frustrated and start their own business and become successful. There is a little family owned hardware and farm business a few miles from me that doesn’t have prices on everything and some stuff is so old they have worn off. They have stuff you can’t find anywhere else even old parts for items no longer in production. I love that old country time feel and smell. TSC has been getting some bad publicity lately so i don’t go there much. I saw on u tube last night on (off grid with doug and stacy) that there is a certain poultry feed that TCS sells and people were complaining their chickens weren’t laying eggs anymore or not as much, but some other places sell that feed too. They also said that TSC sponsored some type of drag queen event in TX. I believe it was in Dallas. Do your own research to be sure. Maybe you can find a partner to go in business with you and with everybody wanting to be self sustaining and kind of off grid it might pay off. Best to ya.

    • Texgal

      Member
      January 27, 2023 at 10:00 pm

      Yeah the “show” TSC sponsored was in Waco but they are doing them all over in Texas. I won’t get on my soapbox but I think the country as a whole is stronger economically when we support small businesses. When I researched TSC ownership, I just decided this was one area I could change.

      I’m looking for a co-op in the area and they are hard to find. Instead of opening my own store, I think I’m going to try to find a way to put together a small group co-op of sorts. Source the businesses in our local area that sell the bulk meat, feed and such and pull together the family and friends that want to be a part of that to share in the cost of obtaining those items together.

      I’d be interested in any advice your or any others have on the way to do this.

      • potpourri_of_life

        Member
        January 27, 2023 at 10:21 pm

        👍

      • AlphaDelta

        Member
        January 27, 2023 at 10:34 pm

        Do you have a Ful o Pep near you? They are based in San Antonio and have a location in DeWitt county. There are other independent feed stores around. Just do a search.

      • Texgal

        Member
        January 27, 2023 at 10:43 pm

        Not sure, but I will look, thanks!!

  • GardengirlCS

    Member
    February 1, 2023 at 4:41 pm

    No. They do not put prices on the feed. You go to the counter, where you know everyone, and you ask the price. We love our local feed store and help keep them in business.

    • This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  GardengirlCS.

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