Menards

After several non-​stellar experiences I’m updating my review from a five star to a three star.
What topped it off was tonight’s experience. A week ago my husband ordered an outdoor build it yourself fire pit on
. Online it promised that we would have to load the blocks ourselves from the garden center but the fire ring and the adhesive tubes would be set aside for us at the back special order pick up in the lumber yard.
Because we ordered online we had to go in and check in at the desk and get a print out of what we were picking up. At the desk two employees again said the fire ring and adhesive would be back in the lumber yard.
After a long wait at the return desk for an even exchange and watching the crew leader show attitude to employees we drove around to get our fire pit materials.
An employee helped load our blocks but said we would have to go back inside and get the ring and adhesive off the shelf. We asked about how we were told they would be set aside and he said they just grab them from the shelf.
The guy said he’d grab the ring for us but my husband would have to go get the adhesive from the paint center. On the total opposite side of the store from the garden center.
I waited in the truck with my son while they went to retrieve the items. My husband came back but the employee never did with the fire ring. So we had to again go find someone to figure out what was going on. They told us we’d have to go inside and retrieve it ourselves. At this point my husband was ticked. What’s the benefit of ordering online for ease of pick up? Tonight’s Menards visit was a complete waste of an hour and a half.

This is a great Menard’s location. In fact, this is the first time that I’ve ever visited a Menards and figured out that I could possibly fall in love with shopping there. This is a brand new location, but despite that, it still has the interior «Menards» feel which means there really isn’t much detail towards bright and cheery interior design or anything. However, it’s a large location, they have a pretty huge selection.
Lots of great items around to purchase. I found a lot of clearance things, and they had a lot of great sales going on. Right now, Menards seems to be doing a program similar to the «Register Rewards» at Walgreens. You purchase an item, submit a mail-​in rebate, and they’ll send you Menards credit. Menards has been doing great with this program, and most weeks, you can get free or very-​cheap items such as pants, tumblers, or tools. I’ve been keeping an eye on the ads. This week, it’s really-​affordable LED light bulbs that actually mimic daylight colors. As a photographer, I’m seriously in love.
Regardless of that, the entire location is actually pretty clean. Even for the items that were free or super cheap in the ad this week, on a Friday, they still had items available for purchase.
The employees didn’t proactively offer help (though one did greet me!), but they honestly seemed busy doing their own jobs. When I couldn’t locate something and asked someone for help, they seemed genuinely happy to help. They took me to the actual aisle even after my insistance that I would be fine with just general directions.
My only complaint is that it’s a bit difficult to navigate. They DO have store maps right near the front door that tells you all of the areas in case you’re in a hurry. However, if I’m searching for something like the free dusting set on rebate this week, it’s very, very hard to find. I didn’t feel like I should have to ask an associate for the specific location of all items I wanted to purchase, but after looking near cleaning supplies, I still couldn’t locate the item I wanted.
Note: Right outside the location is a Roundabout. You’ll need to use it in order to make it into Menards. This Menards is located near the Wal-​Mart, Culver, Target, McDonalds, etc. that’s on the outside of Cedar Falls.
Final thoughts: Great, great location. Surprisingly busy for a Menards, but since the store is so gigantic, you honestly don’t feel like it’s too busy. I could do without the roundabout outside it, and it’s honestly the busiest roundabout I have to use (which is weird, but it is), but the store itself is amazing for a home improvement place. This one will easily be my go-​to store in the area.