How To Get Free Products At Menards Maximizing Mail-In Rebate Offers

Menards, a regional home improvement store chain, offers consumers opportunities to obtain free products through its mail-in rebate program. This program allows shoppers to purchase items and then receive the full purchase price back via in-store rebate checks, effectively making the products free. Understanding how this program works, tracking available offers, and properly completing the rebate process can result in significant savings for consumers who are willing to invest the time and effort required.

Understanding Menards' Free After Rebate (FAR) Program

Menards operates a free after rebate (FAR) program as one of its primary methods of offering promotional value to customers. Under this program, certain items available in the store have mail-in rebates that cover the entire purchase price. After purchasing these items at full price, customers submit rebate forms and receive in-store checks in the mail that can be used for future purchases at Menards.

The FAR program represents Menards' approach to providing free products to consumers, as the source documents do not mention traditional free samples or no-cost trials typical of other retail categories. Instead, the store's "freebies" come through this rebate mechanism, making it essential for potential participants to understand how the program functions.

Products available through the FAR program vary depending on current promotions and sales cycles. The source documents indicate that these items are typically found among discounted sale items and special rebate offers that change regularly. While the documents do not specify particular product categories, they do mention that the FAR program applies to items across the store, as evidenced by the 12% sale exception where everything in the store receives a 12% rebate.

Tracking Menards Sales and Rebate Offers

The first step in accessing Menards' free after rebate offers is staying informed about current promotions. Menards uploads its advertisement fliers on its website approximately one day before sales begin, allowing potential shoppers to preview upcoming FAR opportunities. These digital fliers serve as the primary resource for identifying which items will be available for free through rebates during upcoming sales periods.

Menards primarily operates on a weekly and bi-monthly sales cycle, with most sales beginning and ending on Sundays. This means that consumers typically encounter at least two sets of rebate items changing over on Sundays, creating regular opportunities to identify and purchase FAR items. The store occasionally runs special promotions called "Crazy Days" sales, which begin on Thursdays or Fridays and run through the following Sunday. These special sales periods may include additional FAR items not available during regular weekly sales.

Holiday seasons bring additional sales opportunities at Menards. During these periods, the store often runs special promotions that may begin or end midweek, deviating from the standard Sunday-to-Sunday schedule. These holiday sales frequently include unique FAR items that may not be available at other times of the year.

It's important for consumers to be aware of the "12% sale" exception that occurs several times each year. During these promotional periods, everything in the store receives a 12% rebate, but according to the source documents, there are no FAR items available during these sales. This means that while customers can still receive some money back on purchases, they won't find complete price coverage through rebates during these specific sales events.

The Rebate Process Step-by-Step

Participating in Menards' free after rebate program requires following a specific process to ensure proper redemption of the rebate offers. The process begins with purchasing eligible items at regular price, as the rebate amount typically covers the entire purchase price. Customers must then obtain and complete the necessary rebate forms, which are usually available at the store or through the Menards website.

After purchasing FAR items, the next step is to fill out the rebate forms accurately. According to the source documents, this process can be completed relatively efficiently, with some consumers spending coffee breaks or television time to complete the necessary paperwork. The forms must include all required information and be submitted by the specified deadline, which is typically printed on the rebate form or available in the sales flier.

Once the rebate forms are completed, they must be mailed to the address specified on the form. The source documents suggest that consumers can combine multiple rebate submissions into a single envelope to save on postage costs, with one consumer reporting sending 13 envelopes over 18 months at a total cost of $6.37. This cost-saving strategy helps minimize the financial investment required to participate in the FAR program.

After submitting the rebate forms, customers typically receive their in-store checks in the mail within a few weeks. These checks function as store credit rather than cash and can be used for any purchase at Menards. Importantly, the rebate checks do not expire, providing flexibility in when customers choose to use them.

Maximizing Value with Menards Rebate Checks

Menards rebate checks operate differently from standard payment methods, which creates unique opportunities for value maximization. When using these in-store checks at the register, the system treats them as a discount rather than a payment method. This means the check amount is applied before sales tax is calculated, resulting in the check value being reduced by the actual sticker price of any taxable items purchased.

For example, if a customer uses a $10 rebate check to purchase an $8 item with $1 in sales tax, the register would first reduce the total by $10 (bringing it to $0.00 before tax), then add the $1 tax. The final amount due would be $1, and the remaining $9 of the rebate check would not be lost but would remain available for future use.

This mechanism allows consumers to effectively "recycle" rebate checks for multiple purchases, as the source documents explain. By using checks to purchase additional FAR items, consumers can create a cycle where they continuously obtain free products while only paying sales tax on the original items purchased with cash. This strategy can result in accumulating numerous household items, tools, and other products at no cost beyond the initial investment of time and postage.

For consumers who prefer to accumulate practical items rather than perpetually participating in the FAR cycle, the rebate checks can be used to purchase everyday items they would need anyway. According to the source documents, this approach allows consumers to "pay themselves back" for the initial cash outlay on FAR items, resulting in a net gain of products without significantly impacting their household budgets.

Is the Menards FAR Program Worth It?

Whether the Menards free after rebate program represents a valuable opportunity depends on several factors that vary by individual consumer situation. The source documents identify several considerations that potential participants should evaluate before committing significant time to the program.

Drive time and gas mileage represent important practical considerations. For consumers who live far from Menards locations, the cost and time required to travel to the store may outweigh the benefits of obtaining free items. However, for those who regularly pass by Menards stores or live in close proximity, these barriers may be minimal, as noted in the source documents where one consumer mentioned never making a special trip specifically for FAR items.

The time investment required to effectively participate in the FAR program includes several components. First, consumers need to regularly check the Menards ads, which the source documents suggest takes approximately 1-2 minutes per week. Second, actual shopping trips can take between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on familiarity with the store layout and product locations. Finally, completing rebate forms requires additional time, though this can be done efficiently during other activities like coffee breaks or television watching.

Postage costs, while relatively small, should be factored into the overall evaluation of the program's value. As mentioned earlier, strategic combination of multiple rebate submissions can help minimize these expenses. The source documents reference one consumer who spent $6.37 on postage over 18 months while submitting 13 rebate envelopes, demonstrating that these costs can be managed with proper planning.

For consumers who accumulate more FAR items than they personally need, the source documents suggest several options for handling excess inventory. Some participants choose to sell these items through garage sales, online marketplaces like Amazon or Craigslist, or by renting flea market stalls. The time and effort required for these resale activities may influence whether the FAR program provides net value for certain consumers.

Additional Menards Money-Saving Features

Beyond the free after rebate program, Menards offers several additional features and resources that can help consumers maximize their savings and shopping experience. These complementary tools and programs enhance the value proposition for regular shoppers and those interested in deal hunting.

The Menards mobile application provides several convenient features for consumers. Through the app, users can view or edit their Menards account information, update addresses and payment details, and locate the nearest store with hours and contact information. The app also allows browsing through departments, searching for specific products using SKUs or model numbers, adding items to wish lists, and placing orders. Once an order is placed, users can track its progress directly through the app. For eligible products, the app supports the Buy Online & Pick Up at Store program, which allows customers to order online and pick up their purchases at a physical location.

The Menards "Buy Online & Pick Up at Store" program offers a convenient alternative to traditional shopping methods. After placing an order online, customers receive an email notification when their order is ready for pickup. At that point, customers can print out a pickup slip and retrieve their items at the store, combining the convenience of online shopping with the immediacy of in-store availability.

The Menards website features a "Save BIG Money!® Center" section that serves as a comprehensive resource for deal hunters. This page provides information about weekly sales, savings opportunities, and major annual sales events including Menards Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions. The Save BIG Money!® Center also allows visitors to browse Menards ads online or sign up for email subscriptions to stay informed about sales events and promotions.

For clearance merchandise and unique in-store bargains, consumers can check "Ray's List," which appears to be a dedicated section for discounted items. This resource can complement the FAR program by providing additional opportunities to save on home improvement products and other merchandise.

Menards also maintains a Gift Center to help shoppers find appropriate presents for various recipients, including gifts for him, her, children, and even pets. This feature may be particularly valuable for consumers who have accumulated excess FAR items and are looking for gift-giving opportunities without additional expenditure.

Conclusion

Menards' free after rebate program represents a unique opportunity for consumers to obtain home improvement and other products at no cost beyond the initial investment of time and minimal expenses. By understanding how the program works, tracking sales and rebate offers, carefully completing rebate forms, and strategically using the resulting in-store checks, consumers can accumulate a variety of items while only paying sales tax on their original purchases.

The program's value depends on individual circumstances, including proximity to Menards stores, available time for deal hunting and rebate processing, and willingness to manage excess inventory. For those who live near Menards locations and enjoy deal shopping, the FAR program can provide substantial value through regular access to free products.

Beyond the FAR program, Menards offers additional resources like the mobile app, online shopping with in-store pickup, the Save BIG Money!® Center, and Ray's List for clearance items. These complementary features enhance the overall shopping experience and provide additional opportunities for savings.

For consumers willing to invest the necessary time and follow the proper procedures, Menards' free after rebate program can be a valuable strategy for obtaining household items, tools, and other products while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses. The combination of regular FAR offers, the non-expiring nature of rebate checks, and the various money-saving resources available through Menards creates a compelling opportunity for deal-oriented shoppers in the retailer's service areas.

Sources

1. Menards Free After Rebate Guide
2. Menards Weekly Flyer
3. Menards Save BIG Money Center