subject line says it all.
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I have not bought any. I have looked at some and I think they are nicely done.
However, they take up too much real estate on my O Scale layout. My benchwork is generally 30 inches wide to allow for arm reach. I allow 4 inches width per track. In my industrial areas or towns, with a main and passing siding that takes 8 inches. If I had a runner track to work the industries and some industrial sidings off that say maybe a parllel set for some industry too, that is another 12 inches. I try to separate the industrial tracks from the main and sidings so I throw in another 4 inches and that makes 24 total. Now if that only leaves 6 inches for buildings and loading docks and roads and such. To make this work, I kitbash buildings into building rears - ie the back with the loading dock that faces the RR track. I can fit a nice building facade and loading dock in 6 inches and in some places I have more.
Most of the menards buildings I have seen seem to have 10x10 or 12x12 footprint. I looked a tthe door factory with idea of kitbashing but it looked very difficult to dissassemble.
Nothing wrong with their models, they just don't fit is the spaces I have to work with.
I bought several of the buildings when they were made by Woodland scenics. I took home one of the newer ones but when I got it out of the box, it was poorly built so I returned it. I did buy the Milwaukee Engine House which is well made. Knowing Menards as I do, I would check each build I buy if they are not made by Woodland Scenics.
Dick
Buyer be aware that Ebay sellers are buying up Menard's inventory and marking it up. They are causing inventory shortages at Menards. Buildings will cost you more than $50 more thru these sellers. Menards is doing no one a favor by allowing this practice against their customers interest.
Harry
Bob Anson posted:subject line says it all.
Since you asked this question on the 2-rail Scale forum here is my feedback. I have 2 Menards stores within 20 minutes from my home. They have been my most preferred store for buying mulch, lighting fixtures & LED bulbs but for model trains / buildings not much. It could be that my local store has the train stuff on the shelfs only around Christmas. But around last Christmas I did browse their offerings & here is my opinion. The models were inexpensive but they did not enough details for a 2-rail Scale layout. That included their freight cars & their 1:43 scale vehicles. The buildings / structures had amazing detail for their price but so far most of their offerings seem too obsolete for modern era which is what I usually buy. Their Power Plant might be an exception but I do not have any coal hoppers anymore & so I did not buy it. But lately they seem to be introducing a different model almost every month & when they make some modern structures I will buy it online & get it shipped to the local store for pickup.
Thanks,
Naveen Rajan
I sure wish these buildings and other Menards merchandise had been available in the late nineties, and upward to 2012, I would have been able to use many of their products. Many of my friends use their buildings and add more detail, more weathering and the outcome is a WOW! Their is a place for many of there items on our pikes....Happy Railroading....
No.
hshill posted:Menards is doing no one a favor by allowing this practice against their customers interest.
And just how does Menards (or any dealer/manufacturer) prevent this?
Jerry
Yes. I have two, their feed mill, severely kitbashed into an elevator, and the sauerkraut plant, very mildly kitbashed into a pickle salting station. I am just interested in period (no modern, or current) steam era small town industries, so am awaiting their further efforts. I have been pleased with these two. I bought mine from Menard's, and would/will pass on any at inflated prices, which I have also seen on the Bay. These two are the only two of interest to me so far.
Maybe you should have searched the forum to see how many people really like the things they get from Menards for the price they are paying. I have 3 buildings and like them all. I plan on buying more and some cars to go with them. If you are on a budget this is the place to go for price and quality.
I have the burned engine shed and just missed the Power & Light building (eagerly awaiting a 2nd release). IMHO an excellent value and a welcome addition to the O Scale community.
As for the resale on eBay. Buy early from Menards. If the sellers get the big bucks they're asking, good for them. If the items don't sell on eBay, you'll see the prices drop. Just the way things work.
I have the Menards power and light building, 2 grandpa house, the barn, and the service station and they all seem outstanding to me
I have several of the cars and a couple of buildings.
Despite the existence of several Menards stores in the area, I've seen people at local meets trying to sell their cars for $5-10 above retail. Haven't seen anyone buy any, though. Can't imagine someone paying $50 extra for a Menards building on an auction site - for that price, you can buy Woodland Scenics.
I have 5! And I am in S Scale. Love them all!
Ben
just as an fyi I have 5 on my layout.
I have two of the Menards/Woodland Scenics buildings on the railroad. I sold my only non-Woodland Scenics Menards building as I didn't think its modeling came up to the WS standard. My other complaint is the signage - I don't want to convey the impression that Mr. Menard owns the towns on my railroad 
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I have most of the buildings and love them all
I have several Menards buildings and like them all. Space dictates that I rein it in. If they make a city tower I may jump on that. I too have a problem with the large branding signs. I plan to cover them.
I have 6 of them have been very pleased with the price and quality of the buildings but if you don't get them quick sometimes you have to wait
hshill posted:Buyer be aware that Ebay sellers are buying up Menard's inventory and marking it up. They are causing inventory shortages at Menards. Buildings will cost you more than $50 more thru these sellers. Menards is doing no one a favor by allowing this practice against their customers interest.
Harry
Other than limited early offerings to a specified group, you really cant stop the speculation buyer for resale. The continued production of more at Menards will undercut those attempts hopefully.... if they do another.
Adriatic posted:hshill posted:Buyer be aware that Ebay sellers are buying up Menard's inventory and marking it up. They are causing inventory shortages at Menards. Buildings will cost you more than $50 more thru these sellers. Menards is doing no one a favor by allowing this practice against their customers interest.
Harry
Other than limited early offerings to a specified group, you really cant stop the speculation buyer for resale. The continued production of more at Menards will undercut those attempts hopefully.... if they do another.
someone will find a way to exploit this no matter what Menards does I just hope they can keep these in stock so no one will pay more than they should
I have the engine shed. I like it.
