It's a shame that the shop seemed more intent on selling a particular bike instead of trying to match a bike to your son's needs. FWIW, here's Mountain Bike Action's review of the Giant (albeit the '09):

http://www.mbaction.com/ME2/dirmod.a...BB1F3C6CCD4F6F

Not detracting from a Stumpy at all, it sounds like a solid rig. The LBS I race for is a Giant dealer; but, unfortunately I've never been able to own one - - but the Trance would definitely be at the top of my list if I could divert money away from buying downhill weaponry.

I would not be concerned at all about the Stroker Trails; they are awesome brakes. I never experienced noise or modulation problems with mine in a whole season of hard use racing downhill. I'm on 4-pot Stroker Aces now, but would not hesitate to put Trails on any bike again. As it is, I passed them down to my son who is flogging them on his Santa Cruz Bullit now.

Anyway, I digress. If you have the option at all, I'd suggest going elsewhere. If the initial sale can leave a bad taste in your mouth about a place, you can bet that further dealings down the road are not going to improve things.