I know that's true now. Wonder when they started doing different specs for 'big box' stores. My Wizard is an AYP from Western Auto 1994 with a Kohler 20HP
Tires are much the same. If you look at all the tires WalMart sells, for example, most of them are tires no one else sells or can get. They're all cheap cheap versions of much better tires available at dedicated tire dealers.