Originally Posted by
GNMac
People who choose to shop at BBS doesn't know much about bike, and I have trouble picking a decent bike too.
LBS often set their parts higher than what it should be, since they have to add the rental, water, electricity, labor fee on it. And if you sound like a newb, they tend to scam you to buy those bikes which sit at their store for a decade ( afterall they are doing businese, not trying to make friend with you and offers you the best deal).
It looks like you are a really bad consumer.
LBS often have bikes that are not much more than what a "big box" bike and the service to fix it would cost in total. (And I'm not talking about $1000 bikes.)
And it's less effort and the bike is better too!