L&M Fleet Supply — Local services in Bemidji

I actually would give them a zero star for today's experience. I went to the Bemidji Mn store 2 days ago looking to buy a couple black plastic culverts. I went to Menard's next door 1st to get a price comparison on a 15" dia. 20 ft. long culvert. Their price was 195.70 after their 11% rebate. Went to L&M Fleet & their price was looked up as $191 & chg, so I figured even with the mail in rebate L&M still beat them by 4 dollars. It took me a couple days to pull the old culvert, so I went back today (25 miles each way) with a trailer. I went inside to pay while my brother waited, parked next to the culverts to be loaded. Inside the clerk had trouble locating that item on the register but eventually said the one they showed in the system was $214. I said, must be a different one because 2 days ago they were $191. He called a mgr over who confirmed it was the same one, but the price had gone up. I said I was quoted a price of $191 just 2 days ago. To that he replied, yep but prices are going up like crazy. On the culvert that here in stock 2 days prior & likely purchased by L&M months ago at a much cheaper price, I replied. How is that possible? Is there any way to back the price to what I was quoted just two days ago. Nope was his answer & when I put my credit card back in my wallet & told him I'd have to go next door to Menard's & buy their's because now their culvert was much cheaper. His reply was a simple OK. I have spent, easily, thousands of dollars at L&M over the years. There will be no money spent there again. I'm a recently retired Firefighter of 30 years who's well respected & trusted by all who meet me and I've worked hard over the years to be deserving of that. All who I meet, come in contact with, give advice to, & those who seek my knowledge will now benefit from my "experience" with L&M. It might not make a difference in their bottom line but I am going to do my best to make a difference. THIS...

Could not find price on item. Cost on shelf not the same as the register by a large amount? Could not get three of four hardware items I needed. Basic items. Looks like Fleet has no hardware suppliers. They could not figure out item price and customers waiting behind me for five minutes. So I told lady not your fault and said void my sale and I left.

Sad as I like Fleet but Park Rapids location is out of stock. And no one's knows why or if they will get more in stock. Employees look sad and say sorry.

So I went across the street and bought it all at Ace Hardware.

Now today I drove 50 miles to the Fleet in Bemidji MN late in the day. The asst. Manager was excellent and helped me set up my credit with them. I bought a new riding lawn mower and brought it home. Asst. Manager in Bemidji MN gets a 10 for mgt and service. Thank You.

Old Guy. ...

Not a huge fan of this location in particular. I am a big believer and supporter of Fleet Farm and L&M Fleet though.

This location I have nothing but one bad experience after another it seems. Last time I went I needed help finding trailer bearings off an unmarked trailer with tapered bearings. I brought the old bearings to the service counter with the numbers I could see on the bearing and rather than the guy looking them up or trying to help me find them I got a quick “Just go grab a hub off the shelf and if it doesn’t work bring it back.”

They also don’t have JACK for their exhaust section. They have mufflers for tractors and flaps but no pipe; adapters, clamps, hangers, anything. Meanwhile the park rapids location has an entire aisle...