I've had one for 1/2 yr. There's something about the trail/head angle that's kind of funny. It feels like the rear end is driving the front wheel in a turn more than both wheels following the same line. It should have a chainstay mounted kickstand as the op mentions. The 26/36 chainring are kind of small for flat brisk riding and the 170mm crank is too short for heavy loads and longer legs. I changed it to a 175mm triple and changed the swept back bars to straight bars with bar ends.
People taller than 6' should look at the 20" size if available. I'm all of 5'9" with 30" bb to seat measurment and I wouldn't want the seat/head tube distance any shorter. It makes no sense to have a lower seat position if I really have to pedal a heavy load up a hill so the 18" one-size-fits-all bike may be short for some. I think it's a fine bike. The 24" chainstay length is great, the extracycles chainstay length seems to be more a consequence of expanding a standard bike than starting with a load carrying design.
I bought one from a bike shop after they had just assembled it and put it on display. Surprised the shop you got it from felt the need to sell it at such a discount.