Menards — Local services in Joliet

Let's be clear on the review. I am giving a single star to the stores return policy. This is not directed to the employees, products, services, staff, etc.

I would like them to revisit their return policy and this is the reason for my review. Overall, it's pretty good except for one thing. I made a puchase with my debit card. When doing so, I made the purchase by entering my pin like I always do. I asmvoid using my debit card like a credit unless it's absolutely necessary. I always write see ID in the signature line of my credit and cards. I figure it'll make it more difficult to make a purchase with my cards in case they wind up in the wrong hands.

I went to return a $10 item and I had my receipt in hand. When the young lady rang it up she asked for my debit card that I made her purchase with. I told her that I'll just take cash back. It was $11 total. She said that she can't give my money back without the card. I explained that we had switched banks when we moved to this area and I no longer have that card and that we don't have any accounts at that bank or any of its locations. She then told me that she can either give me store credit or she can send it back to my card. I told her again that we do not use that bank anymore so sending the money back to the card makes zero sense. I offered any of my IDs, my credit and new debit card, etc to prove my identity matches the name associated with the purchase. Again, she told me I can take store credit or she can send back to an account I no longer have. Finally I just said forgot it. She said it's for my safety. That makes zero sense to me so I just walked away, with the item I wanted to return in hand.

First, I'm wondering why I can't make a return and get my money back when I have my receipt in hand. Second, what could she possibly be protecting me from by not giving me my refund when I have the receipt, the item, multiple id's, credit cards, new debit cards, etc. I have never come across a company that will not give your cash back when the receipt is provided along with identification. This just seems...

1. I am a female, 30+. While shopping today at Menards, I needed assistance from an associate. While in conversation with her, a male customer approached us and interrupted us to ask a question. I spoke up and told him "I'm sure she will be glad to help you when she is finished helping me." He then acted insulted, and the associate stopped helping me to answer his question. There was another associate within 5' of us, not busy with a customer. The associate helping me then stopped to take care of his question. Neither the customer nor the associate seemed to think there was anything disrespectful to me in this behavior. I was wearing neon yellow at the time, so I know he saw me. This has happened MANY times at Menards (at least 10); there is a general attitude that male customers deserve better service.
2. I called the store to finally express my displeasure at this level of service, and spoke with a young man with a title of "front end manager." (Kohlson) He didn't seem to feel my concerns have any merit, and denied that could be a "gender issue." His stated reasoning was that they are taught to take care of aggressive customers first, even if they interrupt. I sincerely doubt he has had much personal experience with "gender issues," (especially since he is about 20) but so be it. He then gave a guest services number. His attitude was very brusque, brushing me off.
3. The message at the Guest Services number states Menards is dedicated to customer service. However, there is no way to speak with a person. What a pain, and total disregard of any form of respect or genuine service on their part! within 5' of us, not heping...

I'm editing the review because of a poor customer service experience on 6/30. My husband and I stopped by to pick up something specific and some other things. On our way to the car I was looking at my receipt and realized I was charged $9.59 for a gallon of windshield washer solvent. I went to customer service and found out that this was solely the cashier's error and she chose I was buying six not one. I just wanted the overcharge credited to my debit card. No can do because I redeemed a $4 rebate certificate. Asked for a manager and went round and round with her. They couldn't just refund me the difference to my debit card. They would have to refund everything and then re ring and charge my debit account. I have a fraud alert on my debit account that prevents those kind of transactions from happening. Because I care about not having my bank account drained I'm stuck with a merchandise credit. If I went to Menard's on a regular basis I wouldn't care. This is only the third time I've been there in the last 7 months. All of this transpired because of their cashier not paying attention to what she was doing. I am at fault too because I was not looking line by line to what I was...