Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 8 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Dahlstrom’s hope to be judged fairly after dispute
Published Saturday, March 15, 2008
My name is Karen Dahlstrom, owner of Dahlstrom Carpet Outlet, formerly known as Dahlstrom Carpet, since 1975.
As you all know, we have been in a dispute with the city — and my husband, Ron Melius has voiced his frustration to the city council. This is just one isolated incident — there have been others where we were the low bidder and did not receive the bid.
Each time, comparable materials were bid. In reference to this latest bid, our product was comparable, in fact, it was just a bit better. I guess sometimes a person reaches a limit — and that is what has happened here.
There is such a thing as being treated fairly — and if some of you think that is being a crybaby, that would be your opinion — but I think we all like to treated fairly.
After being in business all these years — I more than realize we cannot always make everyone happy — we have always tried to do the best we can — making mistakes along the way like the entire human race.
This whole thing may not end up being of any benefit to us — but I would hope for others in the future that the city would be “fair.”
I have read a lot of the comments on The Journal Web site. It being a free country, we are all entitled to our opinions, but some of these comments are very personal and hurtful. Apparently there are some of you who have a very strong opinion without putting your name to it. We have our opinion too, with our name very much out in the open.
I feel this incident has raised an awareness that needs to be heard in reference to comments made about our "Going Out of Business Sale." Yes, it was just that, until the party we were dealing with backed out on us. I hope this clears up any questions anyone may have on that.
We will continue to run this floor covering business until we find a buyer. Until that time, we will continue operating as usual.
This whole thing will eventually be put to rest — and I'm hoping we will also be judged "fairly."
We have had numerous positive comments out in public and also from customers coming into our store saying it is about time someone speaks out and congratulating Ron for doing that.
Karen Dahlstrom - Fergus Falls
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by tanker8 (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought the city stated it WAS NOT the material they were interested in?
Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So the city didn't accept your bid, so what? Suck it up and quit whining.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If she had the lowest bid, and they didn't take it, they better have a very good reason for it. It isn't like biding to a private buyer, that can take or not take any bid for any reason.
Posted by IAmLegend (anonymous) on March 17, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
if Dahlstroms' was better...then it's the city's loss
Posted by RICK33 (anonymous) on March 18, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The city of fergus is up to the same old crap. They like to waist money when they could save money, and then later ask the residants to pay for things or take it out of other funding. I don't think your in the wrong and was treated unfairly because that's why they bid on things to save money. The city of fergus will never change when the adverage age is 60 and have the same people running the city.
Posted by goingfishing (anonymous) on March 18, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I for one am sick of the Dahlstrom saga and the crying they do. I will not, ever, enter their store again.
Posted by Curtklossner (anonymous) on March 18, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is sad to see that the flooring industry in Fergus Falls has gotten to this point. Advise to Ron and Karen, Focus on the things that you can control such as your showroom presentation, your sales presentation, and your overall image throughout the community.Stop dwelling on the thing you cannot control and start doing what you need to do to become more successful. Think of it this way, if you really want to sell your business then advoid the negative attention you are bringing onto yourself. Who in there right mind would want to purchase that nightmare. If this is what the industry has become in the Fegus Falls area then I should have no issue taking the share of the market as soon as my store opens in the fall. Fergus Falls, Keep your I opens for Northland Floorings Grand Opening!
Posted by jim (anonymous) on March 18, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is it true that the people that were going to buy the store were your husbands son or sons?????????
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)