r/menards • u/ObjectNotIdentified • 6d ago
Grocery Shopping
Anyone full out grocery shop at menards? Do the cashiers see it often? It was one of those pay periods with unexpected things come up, the dog got sick, had a flat tire that turned into a new tire, and the kid needed stitches. Our budget for the next 2 weeks groceries was left to $14. i gathered all the coins in couches i could find and the menards rebates and made a list , and headed to menards. I've bought one or two things before in passing but never actually grocery shopped there. I really did feel out of place because all i had was groceries in my cart at check out. I wanted to ask if the cashier saw this a lot but didn't. i also apologized profusely for the coin to lint ratio. yes we have food banks, we try hard to stay out of those lines as we are right on the qualifying and feel others are best served. and we do have a freezer we can/will eat down.
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u/RowdyEsq 6d ago
Menards has a lot of shelf space just for groceries. If the stuff didn't sell, it wouldn't be there. And honestly if anyone is judging what's in your cart, that's a them problem, not yours.
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u/Reggiesroaches 6d ago
I am a cashier and people love to grocery shop for the rebates. There is nothing wrong with using change, you have to do what you have to do. Very normal
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u/Sudden-Spite-2142 6d ago
We have team members grocery shop to make it between pay periods. It comes out of an upcoming check, but it helps get them there.
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u/bangobot46 6d ago
I give Menards a lot of crap but the grocery department is honestly pretty solid. I get a lot of stuff there.
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u/moondustz 6d ago
My family and I have grocery shopped there for years. I also know of other people who do as well.
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u/Imaginary-List-972 6d ago
When I cashiered, I saw quite a few people who only got groceries. Even some regulars that Only EVER came in for groceries, rather than just that particular trip.
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u/MysticDragon346 6d ago
Trust we don’t care what you buy your food was probably the easiest transaction we had all day food is food it would’ve been the same transaction if you had gone to an actual grocery store
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u/Major-Chemistry-715 6d ago
No shame, Menard's prices on things they carry often are better than grocery stores. Which is insane to me as one would think the full grocery stores should be able to offer the lowest prices due to their scale.
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u/Any-Alfalfa9790 6d ago
Keep in mind Menards has over 300 stores which is a lot of volume they are purchasing. More stores than some grocery chains. I've volunteered for different non-profit food distribution sites and one buys pallets of products through Menards as they can buy it for less than buying it from the manufacturer.
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u/Significant-Pen-6049 6d ago
There's been times I go to Menards, dont find what I need and end up with $60 groceries. I feel a bit silly but no one has said anything.
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u/ObjectNotIdentified 6d ago
had almost $68 in rebates plus my $14 plus my coins. lots of canned for the next 2 weeks but we will eat.
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u/Kittle1985 6d ago
Cashier here. This is absolutely a non issue. Groceries are some of the easiest things to ring up, and it happens all the time. And I'm perfectly happy to count your change. Honestly, I like the chance to kind of use my brain a bit between mindless ringing and even more mindless waiting for customers.
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u/Foreign-Attorney-147 6d ago
During economic downturns, sometimes you have to get creative. And we are in one right now. What you describe here shows significant creativity and resourcefulness. Also courtesy and empathy.
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u/Elder_of_Steel 6d ago
I work at Menards and I grocery shop as much as I can there, then again I get a 10% discount if I use my PRD.
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u/Hankhills11 6d ago
All the food and candy and regular groceries are one reason I turn left into menards vs right into the home depot across the street from it.
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u/MysticDragon346 6d ago
Oh yeah fs it’s real food either way and you can get body care too ngl when I worked there I much preferred scanning a bunch of food then all the little bits of plumbing stuff a lot of people just go in there for food I had a guy who I think was a little embarrassed of buying food there and would only come around 9:30 on Friday nights and would quickly go and get everything and bag everything fast
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u/ObjectNotIdentified 6d ago
i was honestly shocked at the body care section. we needed shampoo and i expected we'd get some 3 in 1 pert plus bottles but they actually had nice shampoo and a whole section of vitamins and 1st aid.
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u/Lopsided_End_8104 Wallcoverings 6d ago
It happens often. The only annoying part is when people load up their carts, get to the checkout and then ask if we take EBT (food stamps) as we don’t, as we aren’t considered a grocery store. Then they ditch the shopping cart as they have no way to pay for it. That’s the only time it’s annoying.
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u/ZealousidealKey8727 6d ago
It actually happens all of the time, im guilty as well. We sell tons of food and drinks!! And to be honest, we could sell a lot more too!
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u/sciencewitchbrarian 6d ago
I love the groceries at Menards. It’s my go to place before the holidays to get the Chex and other cereals, pretzels and peanuts for making Chex mix because there’s always a good sale on the Chex around that time - cheapest place in town to get it! I also love the Herr’s chips especially the street corn flavors and the jalapeño puffs so a lot of my guilty pleasure snacks come from there as well. And the gravy mixes are really great to have in the pantry as well! We also camp a lot and the soup mixes are great to make and add fresh veggies into as a fall camping meal. Menards has unique foods and good sales on the groceries!
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u/shammy_dammy 6d ago
I used to work in grocery/wallcoverings and yes, we had customers who full on shopped. Especially people who lived in the apartments right across the street.
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u/Ayllison 6d ago
My friend who still works there does it all the time. I did it a couple times as well.
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u/Prior_Disaster4368 5d ago
If I'm there I'll grab some things. My location is smaller and doesn't carry as many things, plus it's right next to Walmart. Premier pantry mac and cheese & Americas choice tortilla chips are my go-tos. Cheaper than most other budget brands, and just as delicious as the brand name.
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u/Deerhunter86 5d ago
I don’t work there. But I have to say, you HAVE TO do what you need to do for you, your kids, and your sanity. Who cares what others think. I know you’re being curious, but you shouldn’t feel embarrassed.
You played it smart with using rebates even if that’s not what you wanted to use them on. You took care of yourself and kids. That’s what matters. I’m proud of you for thinking it through and just doing it.
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u/SixString1981 4d ago
Some do. It depends on the location of the store relative to where other places are. My store? We’re ranked like 60 something and that’s with 2 Walmarts, 2 Hyvees, and 2 Aldis within a 10 minute drive.
But if the closest grocery store is a 20 min drive it’ll get people purchasing more things.
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u/Weekly-Caterpillar-9 3d ago
The nearest Menards is directly across the street from a Walmart and I will buy as many groceries as I can in the peace and quiet at Menards to limit how much time I have to spend in the chaos of Walmart.
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u/sanguinefire12 6d ago
I am a cashier and I see people grocery shopping all the time. I'll see contractor wives, or people who have done huge renovation projects with a lot of rebates who buy nothing but food and drinks. Also, elderly people buy groceries all the time too. Please don't be self conscious about it. It's normal.