That's probably a pretty accurate sentiment. Great bike, too.
I think the difference is that Rivendell will admit that, it's just that most easy to find bike brands pretty much did away with awesome bikes like that in favor of racing road bikes, racing mountain bikes, etc... So they filled a niche that was being neglected. Though they're certainly not the first, or only, shop to do that. I myself would much rather find a sweet old bike and customize it to something like that, over buying an overpriced rivendell with no real vintage charm behind it.