Posted by killdeer (anonymous) on March 3, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why is it that Karen Dahlstrom is not presenting her case herself, I wonder?

Posted by MustBeNice (anonymous) on March 3, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At the rate he's going he (his wife) may loose more than the cities business if he keeps up his whining and complaining.... he's already lost mine. Who would want to do business with someone that behaves in this manor? Do you ever wonder why the boys split off? I think it is all a lot clearer now!!

Posted by HoldenCaulfield (anonymous) on March 3, 2008 at 9:58 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by jjracing75 (anonymous) on March 3, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hope Jim got the job. at lest the city would get a good job done for our money, i'd pay him twice as much!!!!! he learned from the best!! HIS DAD!!!!!!

Posted by acclyde (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

it is not the city's fault that Dahlstrom has a limited selection. that is why we did not use them either.

Posted by nothappyinfergusfalls (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What is with this guy? You can't keep call people names, just to get what you want.Has anyone watched the city council meeting on the local channel? It is funny how this man acted. He should be thrown out of that meeting. I think the council has been more than fair with him. I'm sorry to say, but Dahlson carpets will never see any of my bussiness. I would not want him in my home.

Posted by votedem (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would never buy anything from Dahlstroms after seeing this. He doesn't deserve anyone's business if this is how he acts when losing a bid.

Posted by killdeer (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I sure hope the wife has a good pre-nup in place! Scheesh...

Posted by ohbrother (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What goes around comes around. Lies huh? Sounds familiar to my situation, however it was Dahlstroms doing the lies.
It's no wonder the city made the wise choice going with the other bid.

Posted by Gassy (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know what he's trying to do. There a tipping point about buying from him on price or buying on services associated with another price. You can't force someone to do business with you. I think the difference in price was about $150. If it was $500 or more then I would agree with him.

Posted by tomsmom (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Can a person really go around demanding business? That's what it sounds like to me. Crybaby.

Posted by freda (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am always confused as to whether this business is going out of business or not. Don't they have perpetual going out of business sales? Why do business with someone who appears to be closing shop and then have them not complete the job for you?

Posted by otterfan (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

They were having sales not because they were going out of buisness, rather his wife was retiring.

Posted by fergusfallsmom (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I totally agree. I am often in the position in taking bids, and the lowest bid is not always the best in terms of quality and craftsmanship.

Posted by tomsmom (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good point, ffmom!

Posted by cheif (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ffmom, that is what I'm thinking too... Read my response:

http://www.fergusforum.com/forum/showthr...

Posted by killdeer (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The bids were apparently for different quality of tile,as I understand it. Dahlstrohms was for ceramic tile, and the city chose porcelain at a slightly higher price. IMO, they made the best choice, and the aftermath seems to confirm that...

Posted by sassica (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I had Dahlstrom carpet install flooring in both my home and in my place of business and I think they did a great job. I was wondering myself if Karen did retire or if they needed a boost in sales so they had they going out of business sale. I do think if the city was taking bids on the project, they are probably looking to save money. My guess is someone on the deciding end of things has had a bad expirience with Dahlstrom Carpet in the past. I also think this will cause greater problems for them in the future.

Posted by moonsparkle (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Does the whole thing boil down to "buying local?"

Posted by codei (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the job in question was for a city building using city funds, paid for by city residents. the council, mayor, or whomever is in charge of making the decision, should be accountable to it and be able to explain why tax dollars are spent the way they are.

that said, they also shouldn't have to put up with this guy's insults and poor manners.

his attempt to "confront the beaurocratic fat cats" made him look like more of a bitter whiner than it did garner support for his cause.

his question can be construed as valid. but his presentation was too akin to nikita kruschev banging his shoe on the table.

Posted by lenny (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Try being reasonable with the city and see how far you get.

Posted by cheif (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

@moonsparkle: I thought both businesses are local?
http://www.fergusforum.com/forum/showthr...

Posted by porkypig (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

They did buy local, they chose another local flooring store. If I understand correctly, they (the city) did not put this up on bids, they just wanted quotes, nothing official. There are medications or professionals that can help treat this type of psychotic behavior that he displayed. I'll think twice about getting a quote for anything in this town if that is how a certain business reacts when they are not chosen. Are they members of the Chamber of Commerce? If so, give him back his membership dues. It's not worth ruining the reputation of all the other fine businesses we have in this community. I am so apalled, but I guess some people will do anything to have their "15 minutes of fame" or in this case, "notoriety".

Posted by killdeer (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What does Betty down at the Chatterbox Cafe think about all this ruckus, I wonder? It would make a great story for Garrison Keillor to mull over...

Posted by sassica (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So who gets the job?

Posted by FFSSG (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would have to say not all bids are equal. Even if the bid was less that means nothing. Was it for the exact materials? Perhaps not, and at the same time the lowest bidder does not always do the best work. I hope the business that won the bid does good work and I would like to know who it is I am looking at having some flooring work done and would be interested in paying top dollar for a company that is local and does not complain so much.

Posted by duke12 (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wouldn't want the guy in my house! Calling people liars, threatening the City .........now may be the time for a 'Going out of business sale'

Posted by doctipster (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 1:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All I know is that Dahlstrom Carpet installed my carpet ustairs in my bedroom and my walk out adjacent room, and I can't even shut the door in between them.

Horrible Job...

On the other hand, I don't want the city to rape me in my taxes every year either. They should have gone with the lowest price. So they wanted a different color? My parents always taught me the difference between needs and wants. The real question is has anyone asked why they think they needed new tile??? What was wrong with the old tile? Couldn't it have been repaired for less... This is what Im' talking about people... The city rapes us every year with tax increases. Every month we pay for city garbage, refuse, recycling, and yet every year I see it again on my taxes that I have to pay as well. Guess the city just doesn't make enough money with TWO local municipal Liquor stores... which by the way is "Legalized Rackateering" Can anyone else get an offsale liquor lic. in the city. (Besides cheap beer) Nope... cause the city wants that monopoly... Just like the garbage pick up... the city wants that monoploy as well.

Posted by Kloob (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the City has a policy for taking the low bid, that is what they are supposed to do. They could have exceptions in place, but for some reason this article doesn't state them if so. The City should have dealt with this the correct way, and stated clearly the reasons for not accepting Dahlstrom's bid. Since they have been quiet, it makes me wonder what is going on. City government is not a private business, and they do not (or should not), operate as one. They have to go with the lowest cost, or state public policy reasons for not (such as poor quality), in order to best serve the city taxpayers.

That being said, this dude really handled this poorly. If he would have voiced his complaint in a dignified manner, I think this discussion would have been slanted in his favor. All in all, both sides appear to be at fault, and hopefully learn a lesson in handling these types of matters in the future.

Posted by cheif (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

@Kloob - I do somewhat agree with what you said. The City didn't say why they didn't choose Dahlstrom's for the project; but Dahlstrom's is really acting like an elementary school student fighting that he has to go to the end of the lunch line.

http://fergusforum.com/forum/showthread....

Posted by whitefences (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I had a bad experience with this business, see my full comments at www.fergusforum.com After trying unsuccessfully to get Ron to look at my linoleum that started peeling 5 months after it was layed, I finally had to consult with the BBB. It took a year and a half, but I finally got Ron's attention. Perhaps the reputation of Dahlstrom Carpet versus Selands is the deciding factor here and it has nothing to do with the difference in price.
In which case, the City finally made a good
decision....all too often a "low bidder" is given the job irrespective of reputation.

Posted by Kloob (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree he acted like a spoiled school kid, but a lot of businesses act this way unfortunately. Low cost is still the lowest cost, and I am all for saving $$ on my taxes when it comes down to it. Unless of course, as stated by many the quality of work is horse dung. Then other alternatives should be looked at. The City needs to clearly say that is the reason for rejecting the bid, rather than hee haw around the issue. Otherwise, they are being just as childish in this manner.

I've never used Dahlstroms, but I have used Seland's and never had any complaints. They do fast quality work, and stand behind their product. Comparing carpet vendors is not the point of this discussion though. I want to know why the City is being so vague. Possibly someone doesn't want to damage Dahlstrom's reputation by stating their quality is bad? If so, that person should not be involved in the city decision making process. Business is about getting the job done right for the lowest cost, not worrying about hurting feelings.

Posted by antiquesforsale (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Could it just be that small businesses are having a tough time making ends meet - with Home Depot and other big box stores around? This guy was just protecting his business by asking some hard questions to "the man"......perhaps the way he went about it wasn't proper but if you don't yell at times nobody listens! Sometimes things aren't fair no matter what you do........but you cannot give up either. The city should let the true facts come out and people can decide for themselves.

Posted by ajohnsonx (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"The city should let the true facts come out and people can decide for themselves."...?

There are no hidden "facts" that need to surface. The city took the bid that wasnt dahlstroms due to the fact that they wanted porcelain, and not ceramic. Dahlstroms provided a bid for ceramic tile, therefore, they pretty much made the decision for the city themselves. This story is getting way too much press, but it is a bit entertaining to see a grown man act like he is four. No matter how much he complains, nothing different will come from the already made decision.

Posted by Kloob (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's not that cut and dried. It sounds to me that the City did not specify porcelain or tile when requesting bids. It seems that they are using that as the excuse after the fact to accept the other bid. A vague bid is the City's fault, and a valid cause of action by Dahlstroms. Probably not worth pursuing for the low dollar amounts, but still worth making a stink about. He has just went about it the wrong way.

I agree this story is getting a bit too much press, but the City needs to be held accountable for their actions even on small matters, otherwise they could get in a pattern of fudging on matters such as these.

Posted by jud (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Do we have another Brian Gullickson in town??????????

Posted by ANonnyMoose (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Again, the City is NOT obligated to award a project to a lowest bidder or quoter unless the total cost of the project is above a certain amount. This project was NOT above that amount, therefore the City was NOT obligated to take the lowest bid or quote. It seems to me that as long as that's the situation, then the City serves the public best by going with whatever is the BETTER proposal, even if it's not the cheaper one. If the two proposals in question were similar enough so as to be considered competitive, THEN the City would be obligated to take the cheaper one. If the proposal submitted by Mr. Melius did not meet the needs of the City, then he should chalk this "loss" up as a learning experience and put his efforts into improving the quality of his products and services. That's how business should be done. Berating City staff who have only served the best interests of the public sure doesn't do much for your reputation as a business owner.

Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! What a tool. This Melnius guy is great entertainment. Keep it coming!

Posted by Notthere (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The city should have a standard policy in place for these bids. It should not be determined by who is your buddy or whom you had shots with at Mabel's. The lowest bidder has to stand behind their product regardless of any problem. The city is hard to work with and has many "un written" rules not told. By the way, I still have not recieved an answer to where the Iron Lion pool table that is an antique housed (used to be) at The State Hospital. I called an appraiser and it is valued at a minnium of $13000.00 in rough shape. The state doesn't have it either. The RTC has been cleaning out all the offices over the past few years and every time I brought up the subject to an RTC employee or city councilman there was a "you know about that" comment. I would like to know who's basement it is in???? Thats a fair ammount of money, taxpayers money and I had a RTC employee personally admit it was there but seemed to disapear a couple years ago..

Posted by Kloob (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I fail to see how anyone is berating City staff. The point is that this is not a private corporation, and they need to clear things up on how they are making decisions to the taxpayers. You pay their salary, so they should answer to you. I do not know the policies of the bidding process that the City is supposed to follow, so I'm not arguing that point. They just need to make it clear why they made the decision they did, regardless of someone acting like a jacksss.

Posted by ANonnyMoose (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Berate: To rebuke or scold angrily and at length. (www.dictionary.com is your friend.) If that's not what Melius has been doing, then I can't read English.

Posted by lenny (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Notthere, I would like to hear more about that antique pool table. I have heard rumors similar in nature for several months now (but no proof) of furnishings disappearing from the RTC. Apparently some people are more deserving of a key than others.

Posted by Kloob (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ANonny, I wasn't talking about the jacksss, I meant people on this board. You have some unresolved anger issues you should take a look at.

Posted by trsenterprizes (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This story is as big a joke as Security State Banks owner crying wolf about State Bank coming to town and using some of his ex-employees that were not happy with Paul's actions as president. Did people quit going to the bank? I sure didn't think twice about going to his bank after that!

Posted by ANonnyMoose (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Kloob, I WAS talking about Mr. Melius berating City staff. I specifically said that those actions don't do much for your reputation as a business owner -- in this case, Mr. Melius. I thought my point was pretty clear. I see no instance of anyone in this thread behaving as he has, and wasn't accusing anyone here of doing so.

Posted by Kloob (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fair enough.

Posted by autolerfald (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Isn't this a free country why does the city have to hire them?? THEY DON'T plus he is a piece of work let me tell ya try working for him one time.........

Posted by Confused (anonymous) on March 10, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I had them lay new flooring in my entire home before I sold it. I thought it was great! I wish I'd done years before. I was young didn't update because I couldn't afford it. I thought it'd be a good Idea before I sold and is was...looked great got a great return on investment. Its been 2 years and I'd hire them in a second!

The thing that gets me here is...as with all things in Fergus Falls is you want new business' to come to town they do,(it helps the hotel& local food joints etc during the week and then they go back to Fargo for the weekend) and they take out 1-2 page adds with all the business' thanking them for the work. The problem is that only 2-3 local firms get the work. I don't understand it! I'm sure people will rip me appart here, but look at U motors as a prime example. How many local contractors worked with them...

Posted by notcominghome (anonymous) on March 11, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There was an iron base pool table that was donated to the RTC in the 30's I understand by brunswick. It has lion heads for legs. I called an apraiser in the twin cities and he said it was worth 13000-15000 in rough shape. Restored it could easily be 50000 and up. Calling around no one seems to know what happened to it and I got the run around by everyone. I was told it was state property but the state says they sure don't have it and have no record of it. Where is it I am wondering as everyone is covering up that it even exsisted. Who's basement is it in? Where are RTC's records of it's whereabouts??? No one seems to know!

Posted by chriscraft (anonymous) on March 12, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can understand why Dahlstrom Carpet is upset. The city didn't act in good faith. If they had, they would have out lined their exact requirements in the bid process. I'm confident they outlined "most" of the requirements, but conveniently added more to tip the scale after the bids were opened. Citizens are under the allusion that city officials work above board, HA! Remember Jim Nichols & the millions he lost. He used his assistant to take the fall in that city fiasco. I for one have limited confidence in city hall. This latest stunt only galvanizes my suspicions.