Fleet Farm — Attraction in Baxter

Just bought an Airens 24 classic snowblower yesterday. Replacing an old Troy built that threw a rod with plenty of oil in it. Got the new machine home and checked the oil and configured it for startup. Followed the instructions exactly for first time startup and it just cranked over and over. Wiggled the spark plug because you could tell it wasn't getting any spark, and the next time it cranked once and started. Ran for two minutes of the five minute warm up and suddenly died like someone turned the key off. Checked the plug wires and ground wire and cranked it over and over with no luck. Not even close to starting. I'm realizing that I should've brought a gas can with me to try the thing before leaving the store. Talked to Mills and they say bring it back, duh. Except... When I brought it back after the second day the Cust service person was told to tell me that I had to take it to a certified Airens repair shop to get it figured out. Machine was in floor condition still and hadn't blown any snow but they initially refused to take it back. So it turned into an even bigger hassle and I had to plead with a logistics manager to exchange it for a machine that works. She allowed a couple of helpful engine savvy employees to look the machine over. After trying to start it themselves, they agreed that something wasn't right about the motor and traded out the blower. The days after initial purchase I started the new machine and blew the hardened frozen snow off of my walks. The blower worked beautifully, cutting Right thru eighteen inches of snow effortlessly. So am I going to shop for big ticket items at this store again? I'd give it a try, but I'd def get it in writing that I can bring back ANY product that doesn't function the way it's supposed to. Otherwise, that's too great a risk. Note: I did speak to a technician at Airens America. They told me that most of their dealers will accept returns without question in the first thirty days, no matter what the problem, and that unfortunately they don't have any control over those who don't. The dealers SHOULD be backed by the company well enough that they'll be covered if they have an issue with a machine. The dealer as a middleman shouldn't be left holding a faulty product with no compensation either. The profit margins are probably pretty tight in this...

Shopping at a farm supply store is a unique experience, immersing customers in the essence of rural life. As you enter, the scent of fresh hay and the earthy aroma of fertilizer greet you, setting the tone for an authentic agricultural encounter. Rows of sturdy work boots, weathered denim overalls, and durable gloves line the shelves, embodying the practicality required for a day's labor on the farm.

The store's aisles showcase an array of tools, from pitchforks to pruning shears, catering to the diverse needs of farmers and gardeners alike. Bags of nutrient-rich soil, seeds of various crops, and gardening implements beckon green thumbs seeking to cultivate their own harvest. Livestock feed, stacked neatly in bags, caters to the needs of farm animals, providing nourishment for healthy growth.

Amid the hardware section, you'll find an assortment of fencing materials, irrigation systems, and pest control solutions – essential elements in maintaining a thriving farmstead. Tractors and farm machinery take center stage in the larger sections, serving as a reminder of the mechanized evolution that has transformed traditional farming.

Navigating the store feels like embarking on a journey through the heart of agriculture, where the products resonate with the spirit of hard work, self-sufficiency, and a connection to the land. The farm supply store not only equips individuals with the tools of the trade but also fosters a sense of community and shared passion for the cultivation of...

So at the register you will be asked to sign up for a Fleet Farm credit card. "You receive 10% off and an additional $75 if you sign up today".

When purchasing $1500 worth of product sounds like a good deal, right? So because the process takes a bit the cashier asked us to finish the process at the customer service desk. Once there, the gal behind the counter said that the cashier was not accurate. But I looked down at the marketing material regarding the same credit card offer and it said EXACTLY what the cashier said to us. I read it out loud quietly which met with a quick rebuttal by the gal behind the counter.

False advertising? Bait and switch? Piss the customer off so they never return...probably. What was the brilliant marketing manager thinking when he/she created this blunder?

Oh, there's more. We get outside into the storage yard and no one could find the product we just purchased inside. How could they loose a large 5' mowing deck? Turns out, 20 minutes later, that it was hiding next to the green house/ floral area. After inspection, the guard at the gate remembered that the mower deck had been dropped and was not in condition to sell. So guess what we needed to do. Go back inside to the customer service desk to have our money refunded. I'm not sure how we still had faith (the guy at the gate really made a difference here!) But we bought a smaller now deck to get our farm cleaned up.

Whew.....just exhausted reliving it. Get it...