(07/28/16) BNSF Caboose from Menards!

I was doing so well, my Dear wife was proud of me, life was good! Now with all these new offerings from Menards, I have to start going to the meetings again!! LOL

Lovin It

Definitely ordering!  Fingers are crossed for an Army caboose released soon!

I'm  at the LCCA convention in Kansas City .With all the BNSF Trains here in town, I  need to get one..what am I  saying, of course I ordered  ��

Had to cart a matching Loco 

TShearer posted:

 

Had to cart a matching Loco 

 

 

I like SD70ACe's so much (have a collection of them) that I get tempted to buy one, but then I would be fired from my position as the self-appointed Information Minister of the Isle of Denial.

Very cool!  Still looking for an Army caboose.

Menards posted:

Check out this week's O gauge release!Prelit and ready to go! Complete your train with this O Gauge BNSF Caboose. Adorned with the iconic orange, black and yellow coloring, this caboose comes equipped with a classic cupola. Seen in the middle of the car, this elevated area functions as a lookout point for the conductor so he can keep the train on its chosen path. As this colorful caboose races along the track, the interior comes alive with incredible illumination, which beautifully filters through the frosted glass windows. And, so the caboose can be seen at night, this charming model features alternating LED marker lights on the trailing end of the train. Historic yet intricate in design, the O Gauge BNSF Lighted Caboose also includes improved plastic trucks, metal wheels and operational couplers. Each caboose is uniquely numbered, so no two are the same! SKU# 279-2670

Click here to shop now!

Plus, take advantage of our 11% rebate sale going on through Saturday, July 30, 2016!

In case you missed it, this week’s email is shown below. If you want to get these emails in your inbox, click here to sign up!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark,

I see plenty of rolling stock - tube track and buildings I would like to buy. But I won't because of your "in store ONLY rebate". If you offer that rebate to us for online buying who live in a state without a Menards store, you would get my money and then some. 

even without the rebate, you can't beat the prices. donate the rebate form.

^ ^  Forum members like myself may offer you face value ( i.e $2.75 ) and a stamp if that will help you purchase.    ^ ^  

I am there all the time with rebate checks.   I even ate BBQ lunch at Menards today.

If you think about it, You could buy all the things you want. Get a Credit Check and have a Forum member that lives near a store use them to buy you more stuff. all you have to do is pay the shipping from where the forum member lives!

I go to N. Dakota once every year and they have a store near where I go for 2 weeks a year. I always look for things I need there.

Just got my 2 CNW cabooses  which look great! Got two of the Pepsi truck flat cars which are amazing, especially for the money! On top of that 4 free Goodyear boxcars! Christmas in July! LOL

rogerpete posted:

even without the rebate, you can't beat the prices. donate the rebate form.

exactly!!   How cheap are people that they complain about a $24 o gauge car because they can't use the rebate in store? 

I am not here to start he said/she said war. I was only trying to get a response from mark about getting a level and even playing field for buying trains online. I work hard for my money, why can't I get the same rebate living in PA as those who can buy online and then take the rebate to the store and buy more trains. 

I am asking why we can't use the rebate online at time of purchase to get the discount. I understand the these train item's are at a very good price, but level the playing field for EVERYONE. 

I have yet to buy anything when the 11% sale is going mainly because what I have bought has been in between them. I am fortunate to have a Menards within 30 miles. But even if I did not I have a son in  Michigan where there is one near him that I would send it to him.  If I could not do that the  prices for their trains are still well worth it.......Paul

It would be so simple for Menard's to deduct 11% at the time of the sale. This way everyone would get treated the same. When we had our store,we use to have customer appreciation weekend. Everyone, received the discount at the time of sale. It didn't matter, if you were in the store or placing the order over the phone. It worked for us.

Jim, the difference is that you had a train store....the purpose of your discount, I would believe, was to increase sales and bring folks into the store so they might buy more. You had train stuff displayed every day of the year. Menards is not a train store. There are no train items stocked on their shelves during most of the year. I am betting they are surprised how well train sales are going. They do not need train sales to increase their train business.  Their purpose it seems is to get folks to come to their stores rather than opt for Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, or any other box stores. By discounting items that are already less than half the cost of big name competitors makes no sense in terms of a business angle. Those that get the rebates (not really a sale) can't go immediately and buy a train item..there are none to be had (unless near the holidays). They can go back to the store and use the few dollars that they may receive to buy a new light bulb, a few batteries, or some other items that they might "sort of" need, but would not go otherwise. 

Rick

DL&W Pete posted:

I am not here to start he said/she said war. I was only trying to get a response from mark about getting a level and even playing field for buying trains online. I work hard for my money, why can't I get the same rebate living in PA as those who can buy online and then take the rebate to the store and buy more trains. 

I am asking why we can't use the rebate online at time of purchase to get the discount. I understand the these train item's are at a very good price, but level the playing field for EVERYONE. 

Until the day comes that Menards would offer a coupon code towards your next order, if there are items you do wish to order and the only thing holding you up is the 11% rebate,  let me know if you want to send me your order total with discount you are entitled.  I will send you a personal or bank check and you can e-mail the rebate receipt after check clears.    I feel that you have made yourself heard and understood by many.  I recently found a Hobby Shop and shipped to PA ( my hometown ) to a forum member.  This forum is a brotherhood and that is what we do.

I gotta unsubscribe to this. Honest to goodness- we are talking like $3 on a $24 item!

In regards to what Ranger Rick wrote I would bet that Menards never expected to turn a profit selling toy / model trains but, as Ranger Rick wrote, having said trains in their stores prompted further sales of other merchandise.   Once they saw how popular their train sales had become selling them online gave them an added benefit of good PR as well as a profit.   I do agree that they should offer any discount to everyone who purchases from them regardless of whether the sale is in store or online.  That's only fair. 

I am a big supporter of Menards train stuff! I have most of the buildings, close to 150 rolling stock plus all the freebies! I have become philosophical about the rebate! I refer to it as the Midwest, Ohio reward program! It's like death and taxes, you're not going to change it, at least any time soon! But I look at the products, the quality which keeps improving, the innovative products, the very responsive customer service, our own personal  go to guy Mark, and then all this at a great price! How can I complain? It's like shooting Santa because he got some soot on the hearth!! LOL