A question for Mark from Menards?

Kev: I ran into a similar situation this past week and found that the Woodstock, IL store had a few 30" tubular track sections remaining in stock. When I went to purchase what I needed there were 5 sections left in the bin even though the on-line inventory showed less.

The Menards team member who helped me via e-mail was very friendly and helpful. I would suggest that you contact them with your needs.

As far as the track showing 'Discontinued', I assume that actually means 'Seasonal' and out of stock at the DC, but I will leave it to Mark for the final word.

FYI, doing a search I found some 30" straights (not the case) at the Mount Pleasant, MI store.    YOu might be able to order some from them directly.

Thanks guys I hope it is just a seasonal thing because I was looking for a friend that wanted six or more cases for his new layout and wanted me to order it to my local store.

 Hope Mark can clear it up for us.

Six cases? Wow, that's going to be some layout.

MG Brown posted:

Six cases? Wow, that's going to be some layout.

He will be working with 1,800 SFof space.

Is there a e-mail address for Mark?

I emailed customer service about this last week as they showed the 30" straights "not available online". I got a same day reply that they are sold out and more are coming within 30 days.

hey guys, Kev thanks for checking on that stuff for me.   ....   and thanks for all the replies.

kev, its been years since i posted.  im still not sure how involved i wish to get with online forums. 

MG Brown, all said and done im looking at the 20 plus case count.  im still a year out on drywall.   other things are always in the way it seems.... but i can buy and store track easily ....

jth877 posted:

I emailed customer service about this last week as they showed the 30" straights "not available online".I got a same day reply that they are sold out and more are coming within 30 days.

That is great news!  Depending if the ship don't sink on the way here from China.

Good deal Ryan!

KRM posted:

He will be working with 1,800 SFof space.

So very jealous at the moment.

Hi Everyone,

I can confirm that were are expecting more 30" tubular track by the end of February, if not sooner. I apologize for any confusion as our computer system automatically defaulted to "discontinued" when we ran out online. Computers try to make our lives easier, but sometimes they make things more complicated than they need to be.

We plan to restock tubular track in our stores for the Christmas season in October, but until then, all tubular track will be available on our website menards.com/trains.

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Thank you Mark! Good news.

Great to have confirmation that track will be back in stock soon.

Great news everyone! All sizes of tubular track are back in stock! Here's a link to our tubular track!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark, I hope that the "shortage" pertaining to your O gauge track is a sign of positive, enthusiastic demand versus a very small production run. Though I guess it could be a bit of both, as your ad says the track was more popular than anticipated, which does not rule out a small production run.

When one reads this particular forum, you could get the impression that the market is gone totally scale, which is just not the case. Despite the selection of track systems available, every survey I've ever seen shows over 60% of the market is using traditional 027 or O gauge tubular and FasTrack. All the other many systems combined fall into the minority.

When I look at the Menards train pages, there are still plenty of items available to choose from. And yet some of them have sold out and appear to have sold out quickly. The Santa Fe war bonnet fantasy scheme on the rolling stock comes to mind. Some say they won't buy fantasy schemes, yet look what sold out!

The non-scale flat car with the non-scale army tank that made sounds sold out. There's been at least one additional run of that particular car that I'm aware of. That also flies in the face of what some folks think the market wants. Despite the reported inaccuracies of some of the military items, they appear to have strong sales. Hmmm, maybe there are more traditional toy operators out there than some theorize there are.

I just hope the overall sales remain strong enough to justify the new products. It appears that way, but only Menards knows.

Your line of buildings also appear to be doing well, as many have sold out. Obviously there is no expensive tooling as they are hand crafted items. Also there's the consumer bonus of unique offerings that have broad appeal. Some want larger structures, but would the sales support it? Obviously the middle ground is structures with footprints that have the greatest appeal. But as you have said many a time, you appreciate the product suggestions.

The Lionel Ready-To-Run catalog this year is smaller than last with not nearly as many traditionally sized product offerings. Some might view that as a change in the market. I strongly suspect it is more in the change in retail pricing of those products - which also affects the discounting. Obviously Menards has benefited from this. I personally like the smaller size of the Lionel 6464 sort of box car. But I AM NOT paying scale prices for a new production piece of traditional rolling stock.

So I add white paint to the top ends of the Menards box cars with decals for "Excessive Height Car." Works in my book.

Menards posted:

Hi Everyone,

"I apologize for any confusion as our computer system automatically defaulted to "discontinued" when we ran out online. Computers try to make our lives easier, but sometimes they make things more complicated than they need to be.

We plan to restock tubular track in our stores for the Christmas season in October, but until then, all tubular track will be available on our website menards.com/trains."

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

 

It's those darn IT folks Mark, it seems they live to make things a mess 

Almost everything was sold at the last store I went and visited, just a few pieces of curved and straight track left plus like 3 buildings. Keep up the good work!

Brianel, excellent response.

Mark, thanks for the update. 

Kev, thanks for getting me contact with Mark

I see you saw this Ryan, Good news. Better buy all you can and send me the 11% rebates.  

Now if Menards could just buy out RMT and start making engines. Love those Beeps and Bangs they made.

Was told today my order of Alaska cars should be in the Morris Menards store tomorrow.