My Menard's Experience

I found that out the hard way. After having it shipped to NJ i then had to order the power supply, pay the handling fee and shipping which cost more than the power supply.

PSU1980 posted:

I found that out the hard way. After having it shipped to NJ i then had to order the power supply, pay the handling fee and shipping which cost more than the power supply.

 

From the product description on their website:

• Fully assembled
• Prelit with over 20 LED lights
• Lighted "American Power & Light" sign
• 4"W x 5.75"H tunnel allows building to straddle track for a minimal footprint
• Includes 2 smoke stacks, 3 roof vents and a transformer with 2 red LED lights
• Limted edition
• Requires 4.5-volt power source (Sold separately, Menards SKU# 289-4005, 289-4006)

I have to admit that at first I thought it was a ploy to deny the "free" power cord I was due. Glad I didn't say anything!!!

Yes, it's on the box.  I got fooled too.  I just assumed--dumb of me.  Fortunately, I have a Menards 6 miles away.

Been discussed in depth here......and some folks may not care about lights. I myself bought power supplies off ebay for about $2 each delivered.......so I spent $2 to light up a $100 building....a fare deal to me.

The note/disclaimer about a separate-sale power source being required for the lighting has long (always?) been a part of the Menards product descriptions.

Menards has just recently opened 3 new stores in the greater KC area. Olathe, Belton and Independence I think it was. If you make a return visit you can visit them right in the KC area now. I am going to visit one of them sometime this week. 

I was about to suggest the same thing as Mark.  

Goodwill is where I find my power supplies and often they seem to be of higher quality than the ones sold specifically for various items.  For example a branded 9V power supply for a Guitar effects pedal costs 10-18 bucks.  At the resale shop high quality grey Pansonic 9V supplies  -that I think came from phones originally - seem really common for a fraction of the price.  They work great I've powered nearly all my pedals with them. 

IIRC, 4.5 volt is fairly common for cell phones and other elecronics and shouldn't be hard to find. Round me power supplies go for between fifty cents to two bucks dependin on location.

Also, not sure about the sizes for menards devices, but if they're 2.1 barrels, you can get splitters from ebay like this...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-1mm-...b:g:0PMAAOxy4c5RqKjg 

...so one transformer can power multiple devices. The link above is a 1-to-2, but there are 1-to-8 and others as well.  As Mark pointed out most model lighting has fairly low ma requirments and most wall warts give you enough to power multiple models.