Don't feel unique in your experience with LBS sales "technique" - I've been to a few in our area that are the same way. I can't imagine that business is so good. What I think is that if the shop owner isn't there, what you often get is a young male bike enthusiast that isn't really interested in selling...more interested in hanging around and talking bikes with their buds. Also I wonder if they're just not comfortable talking to us older ladies.

At our local Felt shop both owners are there 90% of the time, and they are motivated to make sales, so the customer service is good. The local LBS chain (Dave's Cycle World) I think trains their people to actually wait on customers. The Cannondale dealer is so so - sometimes I get good service, sometimes I swear I'm wearing my invisibility suit.

Finding a good LBS is almost as important as the bike, imo. Since I bought my bike from a shop in Washtington State, I'm not tied to a LBS to get "free maintenance for life" stuff. So even tho I have a Cannondale, I will likely take my bike elsewhere because of the spotty service.

The GT looks sweet. Be sure to post pics when you have her in your stable.