What fit system are they using? I'm a big believer in getting fit correctly to your bicycle, but nowadays fitting has become a way to gouge the customer. IMHO, you can buy a book, SERIOUS CYCLING, by Ed Burke, and read about several of the most commonly accepted fitting systems that are used to get riders comfortable and efficient on the bike.
Ed discusses Greg Lemond's fitting system, John Howard's fitting system, and the USOC fitting system. After you read this you and your buddies can "set yourselves up" (the book gives very complete, detailed step by step instructions)and be within a gnat's hair of as good as it gets. And you'll have a book that discusses about 50 more different things about cycling so you can get on this forum and sound like an expert when someone asks a question.
IMHO, forcing you to pay for a stem that you don't even know you'll need is, well, OK, I'll be nice and just call it silly.