W/S vs.Menards Buildings ?

No particular reason in my case, aside from the fact that Woodland Scenics supports the hobby in various ways while the Menard's offerings are seasonal, and I prefer to work with a hobby dealer for such items.  And I didn't pay anywhere near $70 more for the WS structures (I have all six that have been produced over the past two years).

Can the Menards buildings be purchased online?

I looked at the Menards offerings and I could have ordered them on-line at that very excellent price.

But of this latest series, I bought two Woodland Scenics versions.  The lighting, not included in the Menards offerings, is a plus, but not justification enough for the different in price.

I paid full list price for one ordered through my LHS, about 10% off list for the other through MB Klein's website.  I ordered Woodland Scenics, and bought from my LHs and Klein at prices higher than I could have paid, for the reason Allan outlined: these people support the hobby and I want to make sure they are there in the future.  So I give them my business: they way I look at Woodland Scenics, if hey don't sell enough of their own products, they won't be there in the future to produce more buildiof these wonderful buildings, or, for that matter, those for Menards either.

Don't the Woodland scenics buildings have a color interior image in them which makes it look detailed there as well? Both look extemely nice, maybe the Menard's versions help with the total quantity needed to assure production?

Don't the Woodland Scenics buildings have a color interior image in them which makes it look detailed there as well?

YEs. However, I chose the Menards version for the purpose of detailing the interior so the insert was moot in my part. I am going to light up all the "dummy lights" on the structure anyway and detailing the interior is a logical step.

Note the menards version will have in some way a Menards graphic on the model that is not found on the W/S model.

Here is the Menards version of Bob's Billards!

And here is the Woodland scenic version- some font details are different as well... no?

Differences seem to be:

Menards- no interior, no lights

W/S- Lights and paper 3/d interior

Menards - Bob's Billards

W/S- Boyd's Billards

Menards- Colorful Green Pool hall sign

W/S Ornage Sign

Menards- Folgers Coffee sign in Ice cream Shop window

Menards- "menards" logo in Barber shop Window

W/S - NO coffee Sign/"Menards logo" in Window

Menards- awning has a script "B"

W/S - awning has a Script "A"

Menards has Kemps ice cream being served at the ice cream shop.

w/S appears to have something different.

The Menards buildings are Woodland Scenics/Menards buildings. By selling a slightly different (no interior photo & lights) less expensive structure through Menards WS probably expects to increase sales volume by reaching customers outside the model RR world. This is especially true given the few towns with hobby shops today. No question buying the model at the local hobby shop does help that shop stay in business - but the price differential is substantial. The building price at Menards was $79.95 each and shipping for all three structures came to only $11.42 - less than the sales tax if I drove 50 miles to the hobby shop. By calling WS directly you can purchase the printed interior to upgrade the Menards version - cost $15.00 plus $4.90 shipping.  I’ll change some of the signage on the Menards buildings to personalize them, and plan to add full interior in the corner building as with large windows it will show nicely.  The very nice WS sales representative I talked with said they are pleased with O scale sales to date and look to continue the line with 3-6 new limited edition buildings each year.  Seems to be Woodland Scenic’s building version of AtlasO’s private reefer madness.  She said she would like to hear from O scalers about what kinds of buildings they would like to see in the future.  My input included a gas station, movie theater, and houses similar to their HO models.

Ed Rappe

I'm with Ed on this one.  We (LHS) have two Menards within easy driving from us.  And, yet, I'm pleased to have them offering these products.  Reason?  They are promoting the hobby and encouraging a very important and valuable supplier to our hobby to continue to support this product line.  I'm about as anticipatory over the annual 3-building announcements from Woodland Scenics/Menards as I am over the next York!!!  These buildings and their bar-raising quality/completeness are simply awesome.  I sell everyone of the new buildings at our store within the first 2-3 months of their release.  We sell at a discount, too...just because they're pricey and the folks/economy deserve a break for a discretionary item!  Hobbies are important!

On my personal layout I use a mix of the Menards and W/S buildings, depending on the visibility of the interior.  FI, if the building is set back at some distance, I'm not concerned about the quality of interior detail.  Add a bulb, if necessary, and it's good to go.  But for the buildings near table's edge, I like the more complete W/S version. 

Like I said, I'm loving the whole thing.  It's great for the hobby!  Kudos to the people at W/S and Menards who are managing this!!!

And, Ed, I would add a church, similar to the HO one,  to the wish list!!

KD

Anyone have a Menards SKU number for these buildings. I was just on line at Menards and can not find these buildings?

Thanks, Jeff

Jeff, they are all listed on this page: http://www.menards.com/main/se...-village/c-12296.htm

Thanks guys!!

You do not have to buy direct from WS and pay full price.  MANY dealers carry WS product and any of them can get the buildings for you.  Depending on the dealer, you can often get a substantial discount that puts the price of the WS buildings more in line with the Menards offerings (although the WS will still be a bit more expensive).

Go to menards.com and type "lionel" in the search box and it brings up all the items including a Lionel set.

Allan is right.  I bought my Deuce's Bike shop at a substantial discount by shopping around . . . At the price I bought, it was not that much more than Menards, given the extras (lighting, etc.) that it had.  Also, I like not having any "Menards" lettering on the model . . .