Author	[Modern View]
JML755 03-04-2013 10:50:15 97.78.165.200 Report to Moderator	Been watching a new Menards go up at a freeway intersection I frequently use. Finally opened a week or so ago. Mentioned to wife we should go check it out. Got a flyer with sales (up to 50% off). Went by Saturday evening. Parking lot was full, traffic backed up both going in and gettting out. Not worth getting a window scraper for $ 2 instead of $4. This is the first Menards in my area, there are 2 Home Depots and a Lowes within 5 miles of the new Menards. What do you guys who have access to all 3 think about each? [Reply]   [No Email]
JML755 03-13-2013 06:01:10 97.78.165.184 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's - update in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   Well, wife and I decided to drive over and try the new Menard's last nite around 8:00 PM. Figured it wouldn't be as crowded as it's been on weekends. We were right. Got a nice close parking spot. Grabbed a cart and had a list of about a dozen things to get. Found that we spent a lot of time waiting for people to move their carts to get by them in the store which seemed to be laid out weird. Mishmash of horizontal and vertical aisles made it difficult to get around. Can't imagine what it's like when it's jam packed. First thing on the list were metal wall plates. Needed a variety, duplex, single gang, blank cover. They only had a couple of duplex and they were $3+. Whoa. (Nice blister pack, though. Package was worth more than the plate). Next item was bi-fold door L-brackets for the bottom of the door. Needed 4, they had 2 and they were $3+. This went on and on. Only thing we got was a fluorescent fixture for the kitchen. Drove over to Lowes. Plenty of metal wall plates, no blister packs. $1 apiece. Plenty of L-brackets for doors, $2+. Did a price check on the fluorescent fixture and prices were a couple of bucks apart for an item over $100. So based on this sampling, I won't be going back to Menards anytime soon. When the prices are triple for typical items at a hardware store and the selection is not geared toward that end (right next to the hardware aisle was the grocery section), there's something wrong. [Reply]  [No Email]
jimdril 03-06-2013 15:02:42 71.42.13.139 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   Been shopping at Menards for 25+ years, and vastly prefer them over Lowes or Home despot. What i really like about menards, is that if you ask a clerk where something is, they'll walk you over to it and not just point in the direction (as Lowes does). This is a great timesaver. [Reply]  [No Email]
Leroy 03-07-2013 05:10:21 69.88.205.38 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to jimdril, 03-06-2013 15:02:42   Sounds like you have a bad lowes, they are not all that way. My wife works in plumming department but she is all over the store helping people. And even tho she works for lowes we go to menards for items lowes do not carry and that is a lot. Home Depot left the area after just a couple of years. Never could bring in enought total in sales to just cover lowes utility bills. And the store was built after lowes. [Reply]  [No Email]
55 50 Ron 03-06-2013 13:05:00 209.131.224.88 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I don"t like any of them, but do buy some from Menard"s. Far and away I like Fleet Farm better and it is closer to me. Only bad part of Fleet Farm is they do have a yard gate to lumber and other bigger items. [Reply]  [No Email]
scotc 03-05-2013 19:17:31 75.238.96.198 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I went into a Menard's for the first time a little over a year ago. That place is dangerous for you pocketbook, if you have any money in it. Always strike up an interesting conversation or two by the time I leave, usually with an old vet. Still haven't made it through the whole place. [Reply]  [No Email]
slomo 03-05-2013 19:07:16 108.225.249.74 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I Always Veiwed menards as the place to go .to buy back american steel that went to china [Reply]  [No Email]
Russ from MN 03-05-2013 11:26:31 68.235.89.10 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   We have a Menards and HD right across the freeway from each other. We don't go to HD very much anymore since Menards opened, but one day we were in there. We needed some varnish, they had what we wanted, for $18! We were going to Menards anyhow, so we passed on it. The exact same brand, size, quality was $12 with a $2 rebate! I don't know how HD stays in business. I do buy some electrical supplies, insulation, and plumbing fittings there. [Reply]  [No Email]
John D Smith 03-05-2013 09:58:08 69.179.189.211 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I don"t know about Menard"s, but Lowe"s and HD will give vetrans 10% discount. Show them something proving you have served. I show them my VA medical card. John [Reply]  [No Email]
Bob - MI 03-05-2013 09:56:06 24.231.245.48 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   Menard"s is my favorite store of all. I always find that if I can get it there it will be the ceapest. They do not have everything that some of the other folks do but they serve my needs about 90% of the time. The guys at Lowes are obviously paid by the hour and they don"t care if you get what you need. Home Depot is way over-staffed with incompentents and that tells me I am paying too much unless it"s on clearance. [Reply]  [No Email]
Dick L 03-05-2013 03:05:57 50.51.143.85 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I buy most of my lumber for my projects at Menards. I find I need to shop early on in the project and watch for the sales. Some times I walk out without buying anything. A week or more later the inventory has changed and I can sort and get the stuff I want to use. Over all I like them for lumber. I go to Rural King for most of my hardware. I found the help at both of our locations very helpful. Several seem to remember me when I walk thru. [Reply]  [No Email]
ss55 03-04-2013 20:38:01 173.31.19.80 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   To me Menards is the K-mart of lumber yards and hardware stores, prices are good, selection and quality are limited. If I know what I need that works fine. Name brand items are equal quality to other stores, but their house brand tools are not. Local smaller lumber yards have better quality lumber, but at a higher price. Menards and K-mart have their place. It all depends on what I need at the time. [Reply]  [No Email]
FarmerZeb 03-04-2013 19:58:53 24.166.169.69 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I prefer Menards for building materials only. They have a wider selection than Lowes or HD. I concur that Lowes sells higher quality tools and other durable type goods. I still prefer to shop at my local building supply when possible. The local yards have higher quality and good prices but don't have the financing options of the big box stores. Which in my opinion is the only real reason to go there. -Paul [Reply]  [No Email]
Fixerupper 03-04-2013 19:27:16 100.42.82.30 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   The local Menards in our area is pretty darned good. The local lumber yard is only a third as far away as the Menards so most of my lumber and lumber related supplies come from the local lumber yard, even if it's higher priced. The local yard loads me up and I'm on my way. No hassle, no guard shack. They know me well and I don't have to show an ID. Menards does have the largest supply for my non-lumber needs by far and as a whole the quality is pretty good. There is no HD or Lowes in our area so I can't compare them. Jim [Reply]  [No Email]
evilboweivel 03-04-2013 19:19:16 70.61.59.2 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I like Menards Lowes second have to be realy desperate to go to Home Depot [Reply]  [No Email]
Sparktrician 03-04-2013 19:06:16 173.141.232.25 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   We just got a local menards a couple years ago. They are better than lowes or HD. HD lumber sucks a wet fart out of a ducks butt compared to menards. big projects come from menards. good materials at a good price. still go to lowes & HD some.....but not much. The local HD is really close to menards.....menards has put a hurt on the big orange [Reply]  [No Email]
MSD 03-04-2013 18:08:01 71.209.114.142 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   Menard's #1, Lowe's #2, HD #3. No questions asked on returns, drive up to the wood pile and sort what looks good to you. Big flyer every week with some pretty good specials, lots of landscaping materials to choose from and you drive up to the pile. Lot's of rebates which can be a hassle but you do get some good deals that way. I have a Contractor Big Card and get an extra 2% back on all purchases at the end of the year. Up to 5% back on some select appliances and a whole list of items. Free dinner twice a year and and free breakfast once a year. They have everything from cloths to groceries to lumber and everything in between. Would be lost without them. [Reply]  [No Email]
Oliverguy 03-04-2013 17:14:36 75.149.65.181 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I like our local Menards, been going there for years.. They actually have their own "master force" soil tools made in the USA. I offered to buy all my tools from them and you wouldn't believe the deal my sales guy gave me. Supposedly lifetime warranty too. He knocked 30-40% off. We'll see how they work, I'll report back. [Reply]  [No Email]
jbp 03-04-2013 16:54:40 64.57.160.194 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   As Festus would say, the first and onlyest time I have been in Menards was to buy a storm door. They had just what I wanted except it was hinged on the wrong side. The clerk in that department said the way to change that was to hang it upside down. Haven't been back since. Joe [Reply]  [No Email]
Joe W. 03-04-2013 16:29:44 75.7.199.7 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I view Menards as the "Harbor Freight" of the home improvement big box stores. Maybe not always justified but my opinion anyway. When I need select lumber I do buy from Menards as they are less expensive on that item than are Home Depot or Lowes. It's hard to find straight boards with 4 good edges no matter where you buy. I do not like their rebate strategy and will buy from Home Depot or Lowes to avoid it. [Reply]  [No Email]
GeneMO 03-04-2013 14:52:22 71.1.106.8 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I HATE 'em all. The "help" are mostly dumber than a box of rocks. You have to walk miles to find stuff, then they give you the privilege of loading your own stuff in their damned carts, then 75% of the time, something at check out will not have the little sticker and the idiots checking you out spend 30 minutes trying to figure out what you bought and what to charge you. Then when they do figure it out, there is a 75% chance it is wrong and they overcharged you. Then you have to spend 30 minutes at customer service with another idiot trying to straighten out your bill. If you have a real lumber yard nearby, it is worth your time and gas to drive 30 minutes out of your way to let a real lumber yard get your merchandise, and they even load it for you! Gene [Reply]  [No Email]
Flannelman 03-04-2013 14:38:22 208.107.18.92 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   We have Menards, Lowes, and two small lumber yards. I usually end up going to menards. They are cheaper on things most of the time and have them in stock other than when the Canadians come down and clean them out. Lowes is more expensive and selection on some stuff is only so-so and there lumber yard has less selection. [Reply]  [No Email]
wgm 03-04-2013 16:44:13 66.11.102.200 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to Flannelman, 03-04-2013 14:38:22   Lowe"s is more expensive because they carry higher quality stuff. Most of Menards is low grade crap. Lumber is good but everything else is junk. [Reply]  [No Email]
Paul in MN 03-04-2013 19:01:04 174.20.134.181 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to wgm, 03-04-2013 16:44:13   If you are looking at power tools, they carry a good quality Bosch line of saws, drills, belt sanders, etc. Their house brand of big rolling tool chests (mine is 42") is well made at a better price than Craftsman, and it is much better built. They have a better selection of bathroom vanities and tops than the other box stores. They carry a good variety of Stanley hand tools and Irwin bits. They even have commercial duty garage doors like for my barn/shop. The Empire line of levels is good quality for reasonable $$. They carry some of the Vaughan line of hammers. Sure, they have a lot of low quality stuff at low prices which helps them keep the doors open as they have to compete against Wal Mart in many locations. And for some things I go straight to Fleet Farm for Milwaukee tools, DeWalt tools, and better quality bolts and nuts for much better prices. Paul in MN [Reply]  [No Email]
chuck41 03-04-2013 14:20:20 216.105.234.67 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   We only go to Menards. It is close, Prices are fair, customer service is excellent,They offer to help even if you don't need any. Chuck [Reply]  [No Email]
Paul 03-04-2013 12:11:23 66.60.223.232 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   All 3 are in the town 30 miles from me. 90% Menards, 10% Home Depot, and I've been in the Lowes a few times. Menards is typically lowest priced, has least helpful help, and is a little more like a warehouse store, not refined. As a handy fella I usually know what I want and what I'm doing, so that lowest priced, less refined stuff appeals to me. In the past decade they have improved a lot, their ordering staff is much smarter, and the help actually can help many times. Used to be 15 years ago, you were just on your own, the help would slow you down not help you out at all. One is set to open in my town, rumor is on the 19th. Look forward to it. I feel bad for the two local lumber yards, and even the farm store here, but as it was, we could drive the 60 mile round trip, buy 10 2x4s and be saving money.... You'd meet a lot of neighbors at the Menards 30 miles away...... Paul [Reply]  [No Email]
rossowmn 03-04-2013 12:10:47 69.24.190.240 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I have all three stores in my town (south-central Minnesota) and vastly favor Menards over HD and Lowes. Prices are better, sales are better, selection is better. Great, no- questions-asked return policy. Helpful staff (if you avoid the high-school sophomores). My local Menards has been hiring many "senior citizen" employees in recent years, and they are all helpful and knowledgeable. The store has had the same manager for decades, and he is always on the floor to approach as needed. I was excited when HD was coming to town, but it has been a huge disappointment. Menards is always packed with customers. HD? You could fling a live, flailing Holstein cow down just about any aisle without any danger of hitting anyone. It's even that way on huge sale days like Black Friday. I rarely go to HD or Lowes when Menards is just as close and has what I need. [Reply]  [No Email]
George Marsh 03-04-2013 11:53:58 50.104.195.160 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   99% at menards, 1% at lowes. Can't buy #1 yellow pine floor joices at lowes can at menards. Can't drive truck in yard to load at lowes, can at menards. Lucky to have 2 check out lines at lowes, many at menards. 2-4 people working in each department at menards. Lucky to find one person at lowes. Last year was a slow year only spent $3500 at menards. Bought one refrigerator at lowes, $850. Contractors can get things delivered for free at menards within 20 miles or so. Buy appliances, mower belts and mower blades at lowes, Lumber, plumbing, paints and everything else at menards. Make many trips weekly to menards. Always see more cars at Menards compared to lowes. [Reply]  [No Email]
Paul in MN 03-04-2013 11:42:28 174.20.134.181 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I have all 3 within a 10 mile radius. I like Menards best, but it sure is far from perfect. They have some decent tools, but you need to know what to look for as the good ones are intermixed with the junk from China. I hate their rebate price scam. Just give me a good sales price and I'd buy a lot more. The store is quite clean, and the department people are helpful. I hate H.D. Their idea of merchandising stuff vertically is a giant turn off for me. 10 or more years ago, one of the national news programs did a bit on H.D. and the number of lawsuits from merchandise falling from the high racks onto customers leading to very serious injury and death. Evidently the corporate execs feel it is cheaper to hire lawyers to fight these cases than to change their business model. A few years ago, I was about to buy an 18" aluminum pipe wrench which was hung on display hooks about 8 feet above the floor. Along with the heavier steel pipe wrenches, this was a likely customer accident waiting to happen. About 12 years ago, I bought some quality Porter Cable electric tools for my sons and SIL as Christmas presents, and bought a few more for myself. A couple weeks later, I went into the same store to buy a collar kit for the new P.C. router, and was told that "we don't have any accessories" they just do not create enough sales to justify. So go to a real tool store." Lowes built a place just a few miles from us. The warehouse style of H.D., the much higher prices, the huge amount of mid to poor quality tools, and very poor customer service turned me OFF. I was recently looking to buy a washer and dryer, and there were 3 people working in that dept. Not one was with a customer, but they could not put their personal conversations on hold to even acknowledge me. I waited about 10 minutes, and doubt that I'll be back to that store. So if I want good lumber, I go to the real lumber yard, and if I want a wide range of plumbing, electrical, flooring, etc. I go to Menards and try to choose products made in the USA. Just my opinions based on my personal experiences. Paul in MN [Reply]  [No Email]
BSpauld 03-04-2013 11:36:52 205.188.116.137 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   My daughter and SIL bought a pole barn kit from Menards and also payed extra for blueprints. The kit had the trusses placed at 8 ft centers, so we had to make the rest to go on 4 ft centers. It cost almost as much as a regular kit before they had to buy extra 2X6s. They didnt give enough screws for the roofing and siding, about 1/2 what was needed, by their blueprints. The barn ended up costing a lot more then the others they got quotes on. In Michigan you cant put up a barn with 8 ft center trusses. Thats what the inspector said [Reply]  [No Email]
Ultradog MN 03-04-2013 11:26:49 174.20.239.40 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I'm a small remodeler here so I spend many thousands of $ in the home stores every year. I probably spend about 80% at Home Depot, 15% at Lowes and 5% at Menards. I have never liked Menards and even though they are often cheaper than the others on the same items I will usually drive several extra miles to a HD or lowes to avoid buying there. [Reply]  [No Email]
Jim in MN 03-04-2013 11:21:25 166.152.226.108 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   We have two Menards, a Fleet Farm, a Home Depot, and a Lowes. The Menards and Fleet Farm are usually busy, HD and Lowes you could shoot a gun down most aisles without worry of hitting anyone. [Reply]  [No Email]
D beatty 03-04-2013 11:20:37 50.151.124.6 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   We have all 3 of them with in 30 miles of us. They are all about the same .One time you will go in and they will treat you good and the next time you have trouble getting somebody to wait on you. Another problem with all 3 of them is call them for an item and they say they have it in stock you run to store and they don't have it or they say they don't handle it or even stock it. The next time you go to store there is a shelf full of that item. [Reply]  [No Email]
moresmoke 03-05-2013 18:30:30 216.196.81.241 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to D beatty, 03-04-2013 11:20:37   If you don't mind shopping from websites, Menards has a very good one now. Find the item you want and it will tell you if it is in stock at your local store. There are three stores all about 50 miles from me, so I can check and see which store has what I need. I understand web shopping is not for everyone. Unfortunately here 50 miles is the local shopping area. [Reply]  [No Email]
D beatty 03-05-2013 19:22:40 50.151.124.6 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to moresmoke, 03-05-2013 18:30:30   I have used their( Menards and Lowes) web sights and it said they had it in stock. I have called them to verify they had it and was told they didn't stock it at all but could order it and take up to 3 weeks to get item. [Reply]  [No Email]
Denny one 03-04-2013 11:19:42 69.76.61.238 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I agree with tractor 300, all their rebates are in store credit only. They were the first store to stock the "off shore " tools and parts and by doing that forced all the others to follow. I would rather shop at our local Fleet Farm. [Reply]  [No Email]
JF in CT 03-04-2013 11:10:59 71.88.46.81 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   I find that it depends on what you are looking for. Price and/or quality and/or selection vary and you have to become familiar with what each store has. [Reply]  [No Email]
tractor300 03-04-2013 11:06:01 50.40.150.214 Report to Moderator	Re: new Menard's in reply to JML755, 03-04-2013 10:50:15   We have all three. I always thought Menard's was great before, when they were 60 mi. away, but now not so great. Now their sales are all with in store rebates, and have nothing but junk tools anymore. Their stores are so big and unorganized that is is hard to find what you want. Corresponding items are scattered around the store, but i guess that is so you will see more to buy. Then you forgot what you were after. Only go there if I cannot get it from some of the other stores. [Reply]  [No Email]