11% rebate is on again.
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Just a heads-up... read the "fine print" for the rebate. From what I understand, it's typically given as a Menards store credit that is only applicable for a future purchase in person at Menards brick-and-mortar stores -- not online. True... you can qualify for the rebate(s) by buying at Menards.com, but cashing in on the rebate can only be done AT a physical store location.
Even w/o the rebate though, Menards prices are some of the best price/performers around in the toy/model train hobby today. 
David
That is odd. Most other places you can get the rebate, discount, whatever online. M might want to place that instore stuff more upfront in the rebate ads, to prevent legal issues.
*Sigh*
The Forum goes through this every time the rebate program is run.
Menards has run this rebate program for years, long before they got involved with trains and has yet to face a legal challenge. It is a marketing tool designed to drive traffic to the stores.
Rusty
But some of us are going to keep trying to change the policy! I love America!
Rusty Traque posted:*Sigh*
The Forum goes through this every time the rebate program is run.
...
play trains posted:But some of us are going to keep trying to change the policy! I love America!
Did it ever dawn on you that not all of us have been purchasing from Menards for years? I just found out about their rebate policy yesterday when I was looking to purchase their new WWII boxcar 6-pack.
This hobby has lots of nooks and crannies to it in terms of "areas of interest" that we're all entering and exiting at different times. Recently, both OLR and Menards have re-kindled my interest in some of the traditional-sized rolling stock in the hobby. My plans are to use them on a loops in the new layout that are further away from viewers to give a bit of forced perspective.
The OLR stuff I've purchased seems to be very good quality for the price, and I'm hoping the same is true for Menards too. I have a nice military train consisting of scale cars, and now I'll be able to have a similar train using traditional size cars. Menards has a terrific line of military offerings from what I can see. Certainly heard about Menards before, but never seriously looked at everything they offer in trains until yesterday. 
Impressive niche they're carving for themselves in this hobby. As for the rebate, it's fine that they want to generate foot traffic in their stores. Doesn't bother me one bit. Their regular prices are already some of the best price/performers in the hobby nowadays, so I'm not put off by the fact I can't take full advantage of the rebates due to geography. Not a deal-breaker.
David
play trains posted:But some of us are going to keep trying to change the policy! I love America!
Good luck with that.
It's a corporate policy applying to each and every store, not just the train stuff. And train stuff is a minor blip on their bottom line.
There's the implication been made that the rebate program is somehow illegal, immoral or fattening, but it's not. It's simply a variation on what grocery and drug store chains do with their discount cards.
Rusty
I thought the menards stuff was already a great product at a great price before any rebate?
A far better deal than anything offered from the big name O guage manufacturers, you would think folks wouldn't mind the ineligibility for the rebate
Menards isn't gaining anything from these O guage offerings. Its obvious folks clamoring for an online train rebate and upset they're ineligible, don't support Menards by spending money on their "meat and potatoes" stuff like hardware etc.
You could give away O guage trains for free and people would still complain.
I can't wait until Menards drops the offerings altogether because it isn't worth the hassle offering O guage trains just for the sake of it... ohh the outrage then.
Just call us "the little engine that could", " I think I can, I think I can" lol
I like the wide variety of products they carry, shop at their store two to three times a month, and appreciate the 11% discount wherever they choose to give it; after all, they do not have to give any discounts. Thank you Menards.
Alex
FWIW, the Menards rebate coupons ARE transferrable; sell or give them away to folks who are proximate to a store if you aren't, e.g. OGR members.
