Menards going down the crapper?

[signcrafter]

I love menards. Almost always shop there over the depot or lowes. They usually have better quality tools and materials and also a better selection. They have lots of professional things that the other box stores don't. Some examples are diamond tipped hole saws, SDS MAX bits, knipex, morse hole saws, and about a million other things. An added bonus is that a lot of what they carry is quality US made tools and products.

So in the last month or two I have noticed some pretty major changes at menards. The plumbing section started getting rid of the rothenborg and superior tools and replaced them with some cheap plumb works made in china stuff. The hole saws are all masterforce made in china. Lots of tools and materials are getting phased out for made in china stuff. Menards used to pride itself in made in the US items but seems like they finally caved.

Anyone else notice this? Wonder how far it's going to go?

 

[Parabellum]

I think they will get rid of the USA made MasterFarce hand tools

 

[DekeT]

I think they will get rid of the USA made MasterFarce hand tools

Masterforce pliers are awful anyway. Handles slip off and settings on the adjustable pliers do not stay put under load. My local store has fortunately expanded the crescent selection. Not a big fan of their hard handle screwdriver type tools but I suppose I should try the soft handle variety. I have not noticed the other changes around the store as far as COO. I suppose you would have to be shopping for particular items to see it.

 

[speed bump]

I noticed they changed from Weiler to Pferd for higher end grinding consumables but that is likely a good thing.

They are kind of stuck with whatever Apex wants for hand tools so they really don't have a choice at the price point they are at.

Last time I bought router bits they still had a **** load of CMT bits.

They still sell Morse Hole saws at the Casper store although they got rid of most of the slow moving ones.

I would say they are probably aligning more with the price points that move and those price points result in suppliers that buy stuff from China. Disappointing as they had been doing better than Sears, Home Depot, and others but not surprising.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Stuff changes, that's business, I will withhold judgment for now, but I certainly agree the current trend is troubling.

Also on the pliers, I believe those have been made overseas for a long time now, but seriously, why would you even consider masterforce for that when menards has a good selection of channellock blue, and even knipex for the snobs?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Menards has always carried low quality stuff. They will buy inventory that other companies have rejected for quality issues.
I don't mind buying cheap items, especially if I need it immediately and don't expect to ever use it often. Menards is the only place I've ever bought anything that didn't work out of the box and not been able to return it. (BTW: I was back at the store to return it 30 minutes after purchase, and had the receipt).

 

[Farmall450]

Stuff changes, that's business, I will withhold judgment for now, but I certainly agree the current trend is troubling.

Also on the pliers, I believe those have been made overseas for a long time now, but seriously, why would you even consider masterforce for that when menards has a good selection of channellock blue, and even knipex for the snobs?

Exactly. USA tools for nearly the same price....right above them.

 

[BleedingBlue]

I worked there for 7 years through college, they are the big lots of hardware stores. Some nice things, but tons of ****.

I believe Materforce is their house brand (used to be toolshop) so I doubt it is going anywhere.

 

[Showkey]

They will buy inventory that other companies have rejected for quality issues.

^^^^^^^^ Any proof, facts or evidence of this or just the regular old internet opinion ????????

 

[BK13]

Man, that would be my luck that they'd go to **** before I ever set foot in one...

 

[03fan]

I agree with the quality of their no name stuff not being very good. The only stuff I tend to buy from Menards now is the brand name type products that other stores like lowes or HD carry because menards is usually a little cheaper. For the no name tools that I only need for a one or two time use I'm going to try Harbor Freight from now on as they are cheaper than menards and around the same quality.

 

[bfm336]

For the past few years I've been shopping there the only downsides I have seen are:
1) Morse USA-made hole saws were recently clearanced and now replaced by PRC made Masterforce ones (which does ****)
2) USA-made (Armstrong) Masterforce hand tools cut in half in terms of offering and replaced with Crescent. 50/50 this was their choice IMHO and maybe due to supplier?

Otherwise I'm happy with their offerings. It is always buyer beware and be knowledgeable (for example, they have cheap brand toilets) but on the flip side - their cheap (aka HF equivalent) oscillating tool I got for $15 with blades has been great for what it is.

 

[pauls_workshop]

While I too am disappointed in Menard's phasing out a number of US made tools or lines in past few years, they still DO offer far more US made stuff than say Sears does in terms of tools or Home Depot or Lowes either. So there is that. Let's hope Menards tries a little harder to find and keep US made brands going forward. - Paul, OP of the Menards Deals Permathread! on GJ over in Hot Deals section.

 

[signcrafter]

Stuff changes, that's business, I will withhold judgment for now, but I certainly agree the current trend is troubling.

I understand the business side of things and you have to go where the money is. But menards has always had a cheap line but then offered a higher end option. They also carry a ton of stuff no other box store does. Stuff that you would have to get online or at supply houses.

Menards has always carried low quality stuff. They will buy inventory that other companies have rejected for quality issues.

Yes menards has their share of garbage but like I said above they have always had a higher quality option that HD and lowes don't offer.

For the past few years I've been shopping there the only downsides I have seen are:
1) Morse USA-made hole saws were recently clearanced and now replaced by PRC made Masterforce ones (which does ****)
2) USA-made (Armstrong) Masterforce hand tools cut in half in terms of offering and replaced with Crescent. 50/50 this was their choice IMHO and maybe due to supplier?

Otherwise I'm happy with their offerings. It is always buyer beware and be knowledgeable (for example, they have cheap brand toilets) but on the flip side - their cheap (aka HF equivalent) oscillating tool I got for $15 with blades has been great for what it is.

What really caught me was the plumbing section the other day. Menards had a pretty good selection of plumbing tools, mostly rothenberg and superior. But now they have some no name china stuff replacing them. That and the hole saws and there have been a few other things in the last few months that I've noticed.

Overall I would rank menards way above HD or lowes. Their plumbing section and electrical section really put HD and lowes to shame. Both in tools and materials. If all you want is a cheap tool or whatever then any place will do. If you're looking for quality at decent prices then you have to shop around. But menards has always been a good option that has offered a quality option on most things. There are a TON of things that you can only get at menards unless you order online or go to a supply house. One example I can think of off the top of my head is a SDS MAX drill. HD and lowes don't even offer that option, all they have is sds plus. Menards has 2 sds max options in stock on the shelf. Plus they are the only one that offer the bits up to 1 1/2". I understand that most people don't need that big of a drill or bits but some of us do need them from time to time. Also understand that you can rent them but I use them enough that I want my own and there are times I need a new size bit and need it right away, menards to the rescue. Another example is scaffolding, HD and lowes have nothing and menards has a nice selection. And landscape pavers and blocks, menards has easily 10 times the selection that HD and lowes combined offer. The hardware selection at menards is also a ton better selection. They have all sorts of specialty anchors for concrete and other things that lowes and HD don't. Another example was I had to run a PVC drain pipe and hang it from a cement ceiling. Menards was the only place that had the metal hangers needed to go with the all thread and drop in anchors. I realize it's not everyday people need this stuff from menards but it has always been a nice option to have when I need those odd things. Plumbing and electrical supply houses won't sell to the public around here so menards has filled in the void for those more specialty things I've needed.

 

[wasfuzz]

^^^^^^^^ Any proof, facts or evidence of this or just the regular old internet opinion ????????

Several years ago I was waiting at the barbershop and reading a shopper type newspaper geared toward flea market re sellers. In it was an add from Menards seeking out discontinued product, overstock, 2nd items in large quantity. This was about 15 years ago and I do not remember the name of the publication. I to am a Menards shopper and will always go to them first before HD with almost shares a parking lot with Menards (street divides the lots) or Lowes 2 blocks away from the other 2.

 

[Casey69]

^^^^^^^^ Any proof, facts or evidence of this or just the regular old internet opinion ????????

curious about that too & find it difficult to believe. their regular prices are the same as the big-box stores & the big-box stores don't have sales as frequently as menards. i never see lowes or home depot run lumber/insulation/siding/roofing/etc sales as frequently as menards.

 

[Schurkey]

The Menards I visit most has been chock-full of Chinese **** for fifteen years.

And the Christmas music starts before Halloween.



Fukk 'em.

 

[B_Bimmer]

WARM SEASONS GREETINGS TO YOU ALL FROM MENARDS!!!

sorry, I couldn't resist, it's such a catchy jingle.

 

[mopar01]

WARM SEASONS GREETINGS TO YOU ALL FROM MENARDS!!!

sorry, I couldn't resist, it's such a catchy jingle.

Lol well I guess its working then isnt it? I go there alot since we boughts dad's house. I noticed they changed suppliers on the drywall and crescent is all they have for tools now. Other than that pretty much the same stuff. The drywall they have now doesnt seem to cut as nice but its probally me since im new to all of this.

 

[BD1]

yea, I agree. Not to mention their mail in rebate shlt. The only reason they do it is because people forget to send them in. Menards saves money on every sale. I hate the mail in rebate.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Suppliers change regularly on building materials from suppliers they don't own, it's part of keeping prices low. Quality does vary a little, but at least I never had to deal with that Chinese drywall that corroded away everyones pipes a few years back. Menards has been good to me. I am a loyal customer.

 

[zendriver]

I always thought even their "American Made" tools, seemed somewhat flimsy, maybe manufactured for price. Everything in that store kind of seems flimsy.

It's the "Walmart" of building centers, but I always shop there.

 

[Empty Pockets]

yea, I agree. Not to mention their mail in rebate shlt. The only reason they do it is because people forget to send them in. Menards saves money on every sale. I hate the mail in rebate.

I love their rebates, especially the free after rebate stuff, even though my nearest store is several hours away. I get there while traveling for work

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

^^^^^^^^ Any proof, facts or evidence of this or just the regular old internet opinion ????????

curious about that too & find it difficult to believe. their regular prices are the same as the big-box stores & the big-box stores don't have sales as frequently as menards. i never see lowes or home depot run lumber/insulation/siding/roofing/etc sales as frequently as menards.

Here's one article, search Fiat if ou don't want to read the whole thing:
http://www.milwaukeemag.com/2007/04/30/bigmoney-john-menard/

You might also look at wikipedia for EPA violations.

Basically looking at just about any story about the man/company I get the impression that he'd do anything for a buck.
BTW My experience was with a generator I bought. As soon as I opened the box I found a few loose/missing bolts and the air cleaner wouldn't go in place. Took it back to the store and was told that I had to take it to a repair shop and then the might think about reimbursing me for the charges.

 

[bsaint]

I found the big box stores **** for everything unless you're in a pinch. I've been going to a local lumber yard this year we have a credit account with. People are so nice and helpful. They load stuff up for you and the quality of the products is so much better.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I found the big box stores **** for everything unless you're in a pinch. I've been going to a local lumber yard this year we have a credit account with. People are so nice and helpful. They load stuff up for you and the quality of the products is so much better.

I tried, but not being a "professional" local contractor meant I got to pick from what they didn't want, for approximately 40% more than menards. That just doesn't pay the bills, and warped lumber makes everything take longer. I did end up using mortar mix from the local yard, it was only 20% more and was vastly superior to the quikcrete version. Unfortunately it was also old stock that was replaced with the same stuff I didn't like. Quikcrete bought the small manufacturer out.

 

[G-ManBart]

I found the big box stores **** for everything unless you're in a pinch. I've been going to a local lumber yard this year we have a credit account with. People are so nice and helpful. They load stuff up for you and the quality of the products is so much better.

There are several Menards stores within 30-40min of me and the people in the lumber yard have been great at all of them. They've helped me sort and load lumber, carried liner panels, J-channel, various steel trim, framed doors, rolls of insulation, etc. Every time I go in there they've asked if I need help and made sure I found everything.

To top that off, their lumber has been much better than anything I've found at Lowes, Home Depot or the local lumber yard (Carter's) that deals primarily with "professionals" and has prices at least 25% higher.

In fact, my wife and I each had accounts at Carter's because we were building a pole barn and getting a lot of our supplies there....the guy who did the framing for us liked using them. I probably spent $20K with them over a couple of months, and when I'd walk through the doors the guys behind the counter acted like they were doing me a favor. Oh there was also the time they were supposed to show up with the truck that had the fork truck on it, but showed up with the straight truck and wanted to just dump everything in the driveway so I'd have to move it by hand. I specifically called a few days in advance to make sure the truck with the fork truck would be available, because I wanted everything put inside the building.....didn't happen. Then, I noticed they brought the wrong kind of insulation....driver complained because I was wasting him a trip when I told him to take it all back, get the right insulation, and come back with the fork truck. Can you say this is a company i won't do business with again?

On the flip side I go to Menards and the employees are actually friendly and helpful. The worst thing that has happened has been when I ordered something online that showed in stock, and when I got there to pick it up, they couldn't find it. I think three people came to apologize, and the night manager promised he would set one aside from the inbound truck, and call me when it was ready. Can't ask for much more than that.

I even recall one of their employees approaching me when I was looking at keypad door locks and quietly said "those go on sale tomorrow" and walked away.

Yeah, I'm going to keep shopping at Menards. I like their 11% off sales, actually mail in the coupons, and use my BIG card to get the quarterly rebate card.

 

[Sh40674]

return policy is great at menards, and any time i've ever broken a tool (rarely) whether it masterforce, crescent, performax, tool shop, any hand tool with a lifetime warranty, i walked in, showed them, got the new one, walked out.

beats the hell out of sears and got more money in my pocket for projects

 

[reader2580]

Menards has always carried low quality stuff. They will buy inventory that other companies have rejected for quality issues.
I don't mind buying cheap items, especially if I need it immediately and don't expect to ever use it often. Menards is the only place I've ever bought anything that didn't work out of the box and not been able to return it. (BTW: I was back at the store to return it 30 minutes after purchase, and had the receipt).

That seems odd because I find Menards has about the most generous return policy of anyone. They take back all kinds of stuff that is open and they really shouldn't take back. Heck, they will take back stuff that is years old as long as they still carry it. The only time I was denied a return was something I didn't open for several years that was DOA. They no longer stocked the item or they would have refunded my money.

 

[reader2580]

I noticed a few months back that many of the Masterforce wrenches were out is stock and appeared to have been that way for months. I figured it was due to Apex plant issues.

 

[dhammond]

yea, I agree. Not to mention their mail in rebate shlt. The only reason they do it is because people forget to send them in. Menards saves money on every sale. I hate the mail in rebate.

I agree with this. Cut the waste of time rebate **** and just offer the lower price. But the main reasons I stick with Lowes and HD are the 10% military discount which Menards will not do. IIRC Menards still doesn't take Amex, I find I really can't take a retailer seriously if they can't swing the merchant fees to accept all cards. On that note, kudos to Sam's club for coming into the current decade on that.

 

[Milwookie]

"In 2003, the Minnesota attorney general charged that Menards manufactured and sold arsenic-tainted mulch in packaging labeled “ideal for playgrounds and for animal bedding.” Warning labels from the CCA-treated wood were found in the mulch. The EPA recommends that CCA-treated wood not be converted into mulch. The case is still pending."

This guy is apparently inspired by Chinese business practices. Anything for a buck. I never thought I'd say this, but it seems far more ethical to shop at Home Depot. That article about John Menard was disgusting. What a horrible man.

If price is always the deciding factor, it won't be long until the US starts to look like all the countries that everyone here is always complaining about.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

WARM SEASONS GREETINGS TO YOU ALL FROM MENARDS!!!

sorry, I couldn't resist, it's such a catchy jingle.

I hate you.

 

[Ledaku]

The Menards stores here are the reason why Home Depot can't stay in business. They will be packed with more people than Walmart on a weekend. They will take just about anything back for returns, are always helpful and friendly, and have a better variety than Lowes or Home Depot. I have bought a lot of quality tools from there. I shop there because they have the best values and best assortment. Yes they do sell cheap junk too just like any other place does. The Masterforce sockets and wrenches are good quality. I manage to get the 90 piece socket set for $30. There was some double sale deal on it and I got 2 sets for that price. They are normally $80. I just use them as car kits. I even got a couple 1/2" Performax breaker bars for $6 and Performax 9 piece wrench sets for half off just to keep in vehicles. If I want the expensive stuff, I will go to the big tool store on the other side of town.

 

[Milwookie]

I'm lucky enough to live near McGuckin Hardware, the "world's largest hardware store." I'm not sure if they still hold the title, but I would definitely rate them as the world's best hardware store. Every aisle of the store has at least one dedicated employee, and many have worked there for decades. The store is not a place to go to save money--most things sell at list price, although they do have the occasional sale-- but the place is always packed. Their selection is unmatched. They carry everything: GearWrench, Stanley, Knipex, Armstrong...cheap Chinese junk up to top-dollar tools (including a half aisle dedicated to Festool).

The key to running a great store is not having the lowest prices. It's taking care of your employees, so that they can take care of your customers. Mr. Menard used his lack of morals to get him into the top spot, as he was willing to do things his competitors weren't. But now that everyone is playing by the same rules, they're going to have a hard time competing. It's inevitable that they'll go down the crapper, at least until someone else is in charge that cares about who they're selling to more than how much money they're making (can that even happen anymore? Seems the American ethic now is to win at all costs, and the one with the most dollars wins).

Man, I need to stop going on philosophical rants and start talking more about tools!

 

[B_Bimmer]

I can just picture Mr. Menard himself tossing all that arsenic tainted wood into the chipper, personally, an evil grin on his face as he cackles manically "SAVE BIG MONEY, WHEN YOU SHOP MENARDS!"... oh wait, no I can't. I can however picture myself continuing to spend between ten and sixty thousand a year there depending on my current project for as long as I am alive and they continue being a pleasant experience with the best prices.

 

[Bluedodge]

... their Lloyd's barbecue ribs are better than ***!

 

[ilovevocs]

Menards is just like every other store, some ****, some quality, its your obligation as the buyer to determine what you are willing to give up, price, quality, or neither.

If I want pro quality tools or materials my first stop is a supply house, not a all-in-one hardware store. Lumber = local owned lumber yard. Most of the plumbing, HVAC, masonry, roofing, ect supply houses around here are locally owned and operated buy guys who know there product and the industry.

 

[danski0224]

This guy is apparently inspired by Chinese business practices. Anything for a buck. I never thought I'd say this, but it seems far more ethical to shop at Home Depot. That article about John Menard was disgusting. What a horrible man.

Yeah, and the CEO's of the other two big box stores are angels....

I can remember when it was commonplace to find 2 employees in every department at the orange store- employees that were knowledgeable and well compensated.

The same chain also used to carry far more traditional name brand merchandise that wasn't always sourced from China. More and more is house branded and made in China. The blue store has a better tool selection than the orange store.

It'll be disappointing if the Menards near me stops selling decent tools- their selection has always been much more diverse than the orange or blue stores. The Menards "Tool Shop" line is low price/low quality and I never bought much of it other than some consumables.

I'll just try to get what I need online if no one local carries decent product.

As far as general merchandise goes, I do not share the opinion that Menards stocks seconds or blems as a part of regular stock. They may have special purchases or limited quantity deals, which may be overstocks. None of the stuff that I have bought is "junk" or "defective".

None of the retail big boxes are stocking top line product for those low prices. They are getting the lowest quality possible for the highest retail price possible.

Their generous returns policy guarantees that a thief (oops, customer) will buy something, take what they need from it, and then return it... or use it then return it.

 

[Milwookie]

I get the impression from the responses that people didn't bother to read the article. You should, it's fascinating stuff. That's all I'm gonna say on this topic...I want to talk about tools, darn it!