Complaint Review: MENARDS - Antigo Wisconsin

We are long time customers of Menards, having spent alot of money in their stores.  We have never had a complaint with them until we made the mistake of trusting them for our Refrigerator purchase.  During their Big 4th of July, 2024 Sales Event, we went into Menards in Antigo, Wisconsin and saw a Whirlpool Stainless Steel 4 Door Refrigerator advertised as SALE PRICE of $ 1,678.  Their posted Everyday Retail price showed $ 2,599.  The sales person told us that this was the lowest price for this model during this event. Also that the sale price would go back to $ 2,599, on Jul 10, 2024.  (Well that never happened, as you will see later on in this review. ) So we "thought" we were getting a good deal.  We found out later, that we were wrong.

We purchased the refrigerator, on July 6, 2024.  It was delivered on July 19, 2024.    The price, with tax, delivery and extended 5 year warranty came to over $ 2,000.  Alot of money to spend.

While waiting for delivery, we noticed that NO online retailer, store or even Whirlpool.com was selling this Whirlpool model for $ 2,599 or anywhere near it.  The refrigerator was delivered on July 19, 2024.

On August 2, 2024 - just 13 days after delivery, we went to Menards and just happened to see that the same refrigerator was now Sale Price of $ 1,598.  That is $80 less than what we paid.

Also, the Everyday Retail Price was now $ 1,678.  I was very upset.  I went home and called asking to speak to the Store Manager.  I was told that he was out until next week. I was also told that Menards does NOT have a District Manager.  I did speak to the Assistant Store Manager and tried to explain my position.  I was shocked to find out that the Assistant Manager did not care.  He cited that there is a 14 day price guarantee.  Even though the refrigerator was not delivered until July 19, 2024, they go from the Sale Date of July 6, 2024 - so I am Out of Luck.  He told me I could file a complaint with Guest Services.  I asked him for the phone number, which he gave me.

I did make a phone call that very day!

What he did NOT tell me was that the number he gave me was ONLY a recording say we can pick up a complaint form and mail in the complaint.  NO LIVE PERSON EVER COMES ON THE PHONE.  NO OPTION TO SPEAK TO A LIVE PERSON IN EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN.  Then the recording gives another phone number.  I dialed that number, and IT IS ONLY A FAX MACHINE.

To add insult to injury, I tried calling back to speak to the Assistant Manger to tell him that there is no one to speak to at Guest Services.  Instead, I get this Lower Level Manager, who was just horrible to me.  I asked her to let me speak to the Assistant Manager again.  Instead of transferring me to him, she just started yelling at me and:

Accusing me of harrassing the employees (which is clearly not true)

I asked her name, and she refused to tell me and just slammed the phone down.  I called back again, saying, I SPEND ALOT OF MONEY HERE.  She replied,  I DO NOT CARE HOW MUCH MONEY YOU SPEND HERE.  Then, she slammed the phone down a 2nd time.

This time I called the switchboard of Menards, and asked to speak to the Assistant Manager.  Instead, I was transferred back to this same person, who again was extremely rude to me.  I said I AM GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST YOU.  She replied,  GOOD, FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST ME AND I WILL FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST YOU.  

Again, I asked for her name.  She refused to give it to me, and than for the 3rd time, slammed the phone down upon me.

I guess that $ 80 means more Menards than extending Goodwill to good customers!  I am right about this.

I also called Whirlpool.com to register the refrigerator, and was told by a Customer Service person at Whirlpoos that THE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE OF THAT MODEL REFRIGERATOR WAS AND IS $ 1,678 AND NOT THE $2,599.  SHOWN BY MENARDS.

On August 5, 2024 I did speak directly to the Store Manager, and told him everything.  Again, he denied my request for the $ 80.  Also, he did give me the name of the rude employee, and tried to excuse her by saying, SHE WAS JUST HAVING A BAD DAY AND WAS FRUSTRATED.

This is why she was not afraid of my making a complaint.  The truth is that MENARDS DOES NOT CARE ABOUT CUSTOMERS AND THEIR COMPLAINTS - IN MY EXPERIENCE AND OPINION.

I took the time to look at other Review and Complaint Websites.  I was shocked to see that there were many 1 STAR NEGATIVE REVIEWS AGAINST MENARDS IN GENERAL, AT OTHER LOCATIONS.

One site,  Consumer Affairs shows that 87% of those filing a review on Menards gave them a 1 Star Rating.  The complaints were horrible to see and read.  This means that only 13% of other reviewers gave Menards a 2 Star or Better Review.  Not very good Reviews Indeed.

I made my 1st complaint on August 6, 2024 backing it up with documentation and paperwork.  I get a FORM LETTER REPLY, from some Guest Service Manager named Brenda G. who obviously failed to read and understand my complaint and just tried to Blow Me Off with a weak explanation.  She even had wrong information in the form letter.  

I had said that I saw the price change to $ 1,598 on August 2, 2024.  She writes that the price Change Occurred August 10, 2024.  Now how can that be, when I saw it on August 2, 2024???  That price change could have occured earlier than August 2, 2024.  I guess she is not reading my complaint.

Anyway, complaint DENIED.

I had also sent a copy (on August 6, 2024) of the complaint, with a top letter to Owner, John Menard, asking for his help.  To this very day, September 5, 2024, I NEVER got a reply from his office.

I had sent a 2nd complaint lette, a few days later, to this Brenda G. telling her that I did NOT agree with her form letter and the date mistakes she made.

On August 28, 2024, she sent me another Form Letter, which Now she states the Price Change now Occured August 8, 2024, not the August 10, she originally claimed.  Still a far cry from the August 2, 2024 date we actually saw the price change.

THE LONG AND SHORT OF THIS MATTER, IS AGAIN, SHE DENIED THE COMPLAINT.

MENARDS IS NOT GOING TO REFUND ME THE $80 THEY CLEARLY OWE TO US, NO MATTER WHAT I SAY OR PROVE.  I HAVE COPIES OF THEIR ONLINE AD SHOWING THAT THE $ 1,678 WE PAID IS THE SALE PRICE AND WOULD GO BACK TO $ 2,599 ON JULY 10, 2024.  

THE TRUTH IS, THAT THE PRICE OF THE REFRIGERATOR NEVER WENT TO $ 2,599.

I would like to know of anyone out there who has paid $2,599 for Whirlpool Model # WRQA59CNKZ.  

Also, I would like correspondence from Menards Corporate Office and Antigo, Wisconsin Store proving to me that they actually sold this model for $ 2,599 base price (not including tax, delivery and extended warranty) to any customers from July 2023 through this date of September, 2024.

Folks, it is very upsetting to us, good customers to be so rudely treated by Menards themselves and the lower level manager, who insulted me and 3 times slammed down the phone.

THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT CUSTOMERS OR ANY HUMAN BEING.  I WISH THERE WAS A LOWES OR HOME DEPOT TO GO TO NEARBY.

I once had a very good experience with Lowes in Georgia.  I got a bad refrigerator from them in which the compressor died after 1 week of having the refrigerator in home.  The store manager appologized to us and immediately offered us a higher level refrigerator delivered at no extra charge to us, which he did immediately.

NOW THAT PUTS LOWES ON A HIGHER PLANE OF GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE.

My husband and I feel cheated out of $80, but it costs more money to even file a case in Small Claims Court.

So, this website is the only place we can voice the truth of what happened to us.

Shame on Menards for treating us so badly.

Any constructive comments would be welcome.

Signed,

Barbara - a Good Customer Scorned.