Originally Posted by
ratdog
Just put yourself in the sucessful buyers shoes. If you knew the LBS owner well enough to score a great deal on the bike before anyone else, I highly doubt any of you would give it back. All this griping just sounds like sour grapes to me.
To the OP, sorry you got sleazed out by another buyer, but it is not the LBS's fault. If you wanted this bike bad enough, just go out and do what you need to to get it. Remember, there is nothing fair in life and nothing is handed to you. You need to grab the moment instead and not just gripe about the outcome.
+1 - I am one of those guys that gets the deal that you missed out on. Why? Because I've spent years developing a friendship and a relationship with the owners of my favorite LBS. I gladly pay them to do work for me. I bring them presents (mostly booze, which they like) when they do. I go to their events and they have become my friends. When I walk in the door and I need an emergency fix they do it for me on the spot. I let them know what I'm looking for and when deals come up they let me know and I refer a lot of business to them. A loyal customer is worth a lot, and so is a friend. So good business owners take care of them. They aren't out to screw you. You make your own luck.