Goodbye, Menard's -- A Cautionary Tale on Return Credit "Certificates."
It finally happened --the nightmare scenario of every ADHD-diagnosed trucking lawyer, cum hack carpenter-- I lost a $130.00 store credit "certificate" in this enormous (and frankly amazing) store before I even left its 4 walls after the return.
I have exclusively and enthusiastically shopped at various Menard's for years, and loved the offerings (check out the veneer core ply and pre-finish butcher birch/red oak butcher blocks/hard wood S4S 2x4's) so much that I was willing to overlook some of the more Orwellian reports about its practices with zero guilt.
I knew the score; I knew exactly why this in-efficient and diobolical, anti-consumer practice exists. I have been so paranoid about losing these things in the past that I would literally use the clip on my fold out utility knife to secure it inside the bill of my trusty green Menard's cap (I will miss you, old friend.)
I just can't do it anymore. I can tune out information or ignore articles about alleged labor issues or employee programming, but I just can't support this place after witnessing the agony and dread that washed over an otherwise great employee's face as he confirmed, at my request, what I already knew: "you are just going to have to re-trace your steps." I can only imagine the horror he and the delightful clerk -- who had just helped me ring up and stack $386.54 of butcher block, bench legs, construction timbers, MDF, and shelving -- felt as they watched my desperate and manic attempt to search 4 zipper pockets and every pocket in my jeans over and over while pleading with myself to find the certificate.
My otherwise joyous 2-hour excursion through this massive store in my hometown (I am re-doing my old man's basement shop with him...sky is the limit ...) came to a decision: I could have: 1) easily paid for the goods sans the $130.00 credit and moved on with my life; 2) taken my only Menard's sanctioned option and embarked on an agonizing 2-hour fools errand through the store; or 3) I could apologize profusely to the clerk and poor re-stock guy and just walk out.
I chose option 3. It sucks, but I am better for it. Your employees deserve better than to serve as henchman to carry out this kind of chincy, bait and switch nonsense. Your store is good enough as is- you don't need to nickle and dime hard working customers or claim (without any logical connection) that you don't use cards because of "return fraud" as I was told when I casually asked the return clerk why they can't simply use cards like everyone else.
Not everyone is a shade ball and your returns folks already have to deal with the legit scams on the front lines --don't make them gas light people like me. I was returning pristine, 2 week-old unused or unopened stuff: 2 Masterforce sawhorses, a large plastic container, and two fencing rolls.
Oh well, I will truly miss my escapes to this place and know have to find another place to grab the rest of the great materials seemingly only offered by Menard's (the tools to properly laminate a block like the ones I am buying by themselves cost more than these bad boys.)
I hope my $130.00 is worth it. For numerous obvious reasons your employees could have verified the return in seconds and probably still can from the context here alone. My only hope is that the poor manager or re-stock crew finds it and can use it --I know damn well that no part of your claw-ed back profits are going to reach the pockets of the people who actually have to pad the bottom line/face your customers.
It didn't have to be this way. Looks like its orange for me. read more