I agree with all of you. My dad rides a Novara touring bike from REI last year. The people there are usually so helpful and knowledgeable. It's really the perfect bike for him and for what he wants it for. He's really happy with it and with the support he gets from REI.

My main complaint, which you all mention, is that they didn't do a fitting. I kept telling him that standover height is not an accurate way to tell if the bike fits. He, of course, won't listen to me.

I'm not sure if they do fittings or not, he's never asked them. But they might if you ask. If not, you can take it to your LBS and they can do it for you there.