When I wrote my blogs, I had no intention of stirring up a hornets nest of trouble. Maybe one day there will be a Menards Store near you. Mr. John Menard is a lover of 3 rail Lionel type trains. Hence, he developed a way of putting trains in his stores. He is in his 80's and does not work as hard as he use to. The future of the train line depends on who is running the company and if they like trains. This reminds me back in 1970 when Lionel was bought by General Mills and gave the trains to MPC (Model Products Corporation) to produce at the lowest possible price. Check out the progress of Lionel today. Lionel is the top train company in the USA and makes very sophisticated trains.
Mr. Menards trains have been a great success. They display trains only from November til about January. Then they put them on the second floor until next season--just like the department stores use to do. But I am a collector and operator of 3 rail trains. I shop trains all year long and when something comes out that I like, I buy that item and of course, the price is decent. To me, you just don't turn trains off for 9 months and put them on display for 3 months. If Menards goes forward in the train market, he would be the only big box store offering Toy Trains and Accessories year round. Personally, I think Menards should try an experimental part of one of his stores and display trains year round.
Sincerely yours, railbear601
05/30/2020 --- I added this to my original blog that appears above.
Menards was developed by John Menard. He likes 3 rail and HO type toy trains. etc. His stores are colossal in size consisting of An Outdoor Lumber, Patio, and Garden Center. His indoor store consists of everything from appliances, food, hardware, toys. toy trains and electrical.
"All" of his employees are helpful, kind, and try to please. They take the time to help you and make sure you are satisfied. They have an excellent return policy as long as you keep your register receipt. If you pay by credit card, you can stop into the store at the Kiosk and look up your previous cash register receipt(s) if you have misplaced them or forgot to bring them to the store. The computer will print your receipt for you at no charge. Duplicate receipts Do Not Have the rebate listed on them.
I wrote my blogs because Menards advertises in OGR Magazine and and on this forum.
You can easily see his entire train line by clicking on the Menards name on this forums advertising section. By doing this, his entire train line will pop on the screen along with prices. If you check out his add on a week that is running the 11% rebate, the price will reflect the final price. To get that rebate discount, you have to shop at the store, on-line or call the store. You pay the full price that Menards sells the item for. You will pay a processing fee too. If you want the item shipped to your home, you pay the mailing charge also. When you finally get your bill, cash register slip and rebate form (all of these items come with your bill), you cut off the rebate part of the cash register receipt fill out the rebate form and mail these 2 items to Menards Rebate Offer, PO Box 155, Elk Mound, Wisconsin 54739-0155. In a few weeks you will receive your post-card rebate to be used as cash at your nearest Menards. You must spend the entire rebate listed on the card. No Cash Back. This is not that difficult once you start buying items at Menards.
The End
Sincerely yours, railbear601
