All your stories are much like my LBS, Skagit Cycles in Oak Harbor. Those guys (Isaac and Andini) are knowledgeable, friendly and willing to go extra for you. Probably helps that my family has bought 3 bikes there in the last couple of years. There are a few things I have bought online, but mainly accessories they don't carry, like the new Elemnt Bolt, or the Tailfin top tube bag. When I need tires or tubes, I'm going to keep getting them there. One of the guys helped me turn a Trek hybrid from a 1 x 10 into a 2x. Cool stuff I couldn't even have imagined trying to do myself.