recumbenttoad; FWIW I noticed disappointment in your original post. And it's understandable. If you were feeling any other emotion, it didn't show. Strange how folks get all worked up over some pretty neutral statements, isn't it?

modernjess is a good example of a customer with a relationship with the vendor. Such folks sometimes get special deals and that's a good thing for both vendor and customer. Nothing wrong with that and it sounds as though you could get a special deal as well. On the other hand your LBS might not give a darn.
That happens sometimes, too. It's a pity.

In either case, it didn't seem like you were whining or 'sour-graping'.