Mark, I 'm going to keep this one simple. You will be able to answer it with either a yes or no. Will Menard's be bringing any new buildings between now and the end of the year.
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Hi Jim, I believe that Mark posted he was going on vacation, so his answer might take a little while. I certainly hope there will be some new buildings under the Christmas tree!
I thought Mark had mentioned that there would be some surprises between now and the end of the year but he was not at liberty to say or did not want to commit in case something changed. Sitting on the side lines waiting for the surprises.........Paul
army tank on flat car SKU# 279-0863 is sold. will this car be restocked ?
Bill_R posted:army tank on flat car SKU# 279-0863 is sold. will this car be restocked ?
Bill_R,
I'm sure you saw my response to you in another thread but our factory is working hard to produce more. I don't have a good estimate about when they will arrive.
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
Mark, Menard's previously made field artillery on flats, two versions, were very nice.
Can those two be reproduced?
DMASSO posted:Mark, Menard's previously made field artillery on flats, two versions, were very nice.
Can those two be reproduced?
DMASSO,
Which field artillery items are you referring to?
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
Morning, Mark, did you receive my August 30th response to your previous email to me?
Thanks.
ogaugeguy posted:Morning, Mark, did you receive my August 30th response to your previous email to me?
Thanks.
Hi ogaugeguy,
I did indeed. The package should be arriving shortly.
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
On the previous artillery and sold out tank: How about an Abrams Tank, a Bradley and a Mobile Patriot Missile Battery? You would save me a lot of time in trying to put that all together, and I promise to be a very very good customer when it comes to quantity.
Menards posted:ogaugeguy posted:Morning, Mark, did you receive my August 30th response to your previous email to me?
Thanks.
Hi ogaugeguy,
I did indeed. The package should be arriving shortly.
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
Again, thank you very much, Mark. As I said before, Menards, thanks to you and all the other dedicated folks working there set the bar for customer service that other companies strive to attain.
Menards posted:DMASSO posted:Mark, Menard's previously made field artillery on flats, two versions, were very nice.
Can those two be reproduced?
DMASSO,
Which field artillery items are you referring to?
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
Very sorry but I cannot find the items that I saw. One was a Long Tom 155mm gun and the other was a field howitzer. Both said Menard's in the description. I just thought they were items made years ago. I will keep looking.
My...my......how these threads like to wonder. Hey Mark the Menards Guy, are you going to answer Jimmy's original question about any additional buildings coming yet this year??? I'd like to know this also.
Milwrd
milwrd posted:My...my......how these threads like to wonder. Hey Mark the Menards Guy, are you going to answer Jimmy's original question about any additional buildings coming yet this year??? I'd like to know this also.
Milwrd
I don't want to spoil the fun!
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
Mark,
Sorry to bother you with questions. With answers like the one I got, I don't think I will ask any more. Have a great evening.
jim sutter posted:Mark,
Sorry to bother you with questions. With answers like the one I got, I don't think I will ask any more. Have a great evening.
Jim,
You should be a reporter or journalist because you ask the tough questions! 
I hope you don't take offense to me sidestepping some of your more hard-hitting questions.
It's not that I don't want to answer your questions, it's that I literally cannot answer them. There are just too many variables in production and transportation of new items.
Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy
Mark, if I would like to construct an electrical substation with two or three of the transformers from you power plant building, but don't want the power plant building itself, how do I go about purchasing them?
Mark, I think you are so kind and patient. I don't know if I would have your patience.
You have said it here several times before, that you cannot give specifics on products that are in the production pipeline. You can't get any clearer than that. And when you have specifics, this tends to be one of the first places you talk about it.
One need not be poor or disadvantaged to have an entitlement attitude, and I see that more and more in this hobby. Instead of being thankful for all that is made and available, there's a lot of grumbling over what isn't made.
Or wanting top-shelf products, features and accurate scale fidelity ALL at the prices of traditional starter products. Some folks really need to start their own company and find out just how easy it is to become outlandishly rich and successful in the train manufacturing or importing business.
Then there's the complaint, why isn't there a Menards store in my city and state? Well, here's a simple solution: Sell your house and move to a state and city where there already is a Menards. That's pretty easy.
Menards does not need to be in the train business. This is a blessing for many of us. Even without a local store, Menards makes it simple to mail order anything. And even without the rebates, sales, and bonus promotions, NO ONE is coming even close to Menards every day train prices, save for buying used on the secondary market. And customer service is not guaranteed on used products.
Personally, I figure if the newest product released by Menards isn't what I might like, I don't need to complain. There will soon be another release. AND it will actually be AVAILABLE when Menards advertises it.
I suppose some folks aren't happy unless they're trying to be unhappy. I really like Cabinet Bob's attitude: He see's a product he likes and if it's not exactly what he wanted, he makes changes and alters it. What a revolutionary concept... modeling! It's a hobby, to be enjoyed and have fun with.
AMEN !
Brianeol027, so very well stated.
Mark,
No problem. Thank you for your explanation. You take care and have a wonderful and safe weekend,
I haven't purchased from Menard's yet - mainly because there are none in PA where I live. Question for mark and forum members:
1) are the pack of 6 cars individually boxed? Can someone post a picture of what the individual and box of 6 looks like. Am Interested to see if they are giftable/wrappable
2) any plans to make the 11 percent rebates applicable to future online orders? Or is it still in store credit?
3) lastly and know you can't comment - but hope to see holiday Christmas rolling stock!
Kudos to menards to offering the free rolling stock offer and the 11 percent rebate at different times, goves those who arent close to a menards to get something when the 11 percent rebate isn't beneficial.
Tom,
Even for those that have a Menards close to them, most train items have to be purchased on-line as very little to none is stocked and nothing on the floor shelves can be found most of the year. Even at Christmas, not everything is stocked in each store. The benefit of having a store nearby is that on-line purchases can be sent free to your store and save you shipping charges. So, to answer your questions the best I can:
1) Cars are boxed separately in the two instances that I bought packs of six cars (the Penn scale flats and the WW II Commemorative Box Cars). Each car is boxed in plain very sturdy cardboard and they are placed in a large cardboard box to be shipped. Each car is very conducive to gift wrapping. Here are the examples:
2) I doubt that the 11% policy will change. I believe that it has been pointed out that it is a marketing ploy to get people in their stores, not to entice folks to buy more train stuff. Their prices are already lower than most on similar market items. And just so folks know who feel slighted on the rebate...there is a bit of a process to get your rebate, It is not applied immediately on purchase, even at the store. To get a rebate, you have to fill out a rebate form, send it in, wait 4-6 weeks, and then you get a voucher for whatever the amount is. It is not instantaneous.
3) One of the neatest things about the way Menards is doing their marketing is that there is a surprise every week or so...and when you see it, it is immediately available!!!!! It is immediate gratification for those who see an item they like and fits into their layout, or immediate disappointment if it does not!!!
Rick
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Tom E posted:I haven't purchased from Menard's yet - mainly because there are none in PA where I live. Question for mark and forum members:
1) are the pack of 6 cars individually boxed? Can someone post a picture of what the individual and box of 6 looks like. Am Interested to see if they are giftable/wrappable
2) any plans to make the 11 percent rebates applicable to future online orders? Or is it still in store credit?
3) lastly and know you can't comment - but hope to see holiday Christmas rolling stock!
Kudos to menards to offering the free rolling stock offer and the 11 percent rebate at different times, goves those who arent close to a menards to get something when the 11 percent rebate isn't beneficial.
Ranger Rick - Thank you for your help!
Tom E - Here is a little additional information
1. As a rule of thumb, nearly all 4- and 8-packs are packaged with individual cardboard boxes. The 6-packs 279-3575 and 279-3869 are the only items that I can think of that do not have the cardboard box, just the plastic protector (photo attached). If you have purchased any boxcars, flatcars (excluding 14-3/4" flats), hopper cars or tank cars, you can repurpose the box because they are all the same size.
There are also a few scattered items that are packaged in a display-type box (plastic bubble). If you need more information, just let me know.
2. I would also like to see rebates applicable for online purchases. The honest truth is that the rebate program is designed to promote foot traffic within our stores. As you mentioned, we have started offering freebies as a way to reward our online shoppers.
3. I am very excited for the Christmas (train) season! We don't have any holiday-themed rolling stock coming out this Christmas, but I would love to start working on some pieces for next year!
Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy
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Mark, I'll try some direct journalistic questions (since I am a journalist).
Has a specific date been set for the changeover that would include the stocking of trains in the stores for the holiday season? Can you publicly state that date? Do individual store managers decide where the trains will be stocked?
Just curious, really.
I checked the Waukesha store a week ago on a non-train-related visit (bought a very decent Tool Shop leather punch for $6) and scoped out the spot where last year's train stock was set up. Happily, I saw there were still three Lionel dinosaur egg train sets, one Lionel RS-3 John Deere set, a Menards Main Central boxcar and a few pieces of track still in one section of the aisle. It's not that I'm glad Menards didn't sell all of its 2015 train stock. It's just that I like the idea that this store will likely end up having train stuff in stock a full year, as a result.
I have a question for the Menard's guy. Can we buy replacement trucks for the flat cars that you folks sell? I have the flat with a Canadian rescue helicopter and one of the wheels sets is warped. Where or how do I get a new one? Thanks.
Jim R. posted:Mark, I'll try some direct journalistic questions (since I am a journalist).
Has a specific date been set for the changeover that would include the stocking of trains in the stores for the holiday season? Can you publicly state that date? Do individual store managers decide where the trains will be stocked?
Just curious, really.
Hi Jim,
All I know is the train items are supposed to be arriving in our stores in October. Unfortunately, I don't have any dates for you or even what part of October they will be arriving. Sorry about that!
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
mike.caruso posted:I have a question for the Menard's guy. Can we buy replacement trucks for the flat cars that you folks sell? I have the flat with a Canadian rescue helicopter and one of the wheels sets is warped. Where or how do I get a new one? Thanks.
Hi Mike,
We will get you a replacement, no problem!
All you have to do is contact customer service (guest@menard-inc.com). They are really good at following up but if you need further assistance, just let me know.
Thanks!
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
