Terrible LBS: the legend continues

[Antaresia]

They had me on one of those adjustable bike fit machines and everything.

Ah, I know I'm coming off as a little defensive too, but in part because I'm still trying to convince myself that I deserve a good bike. From the start, bad LBS would say things like "I thought you could ~handle~ that bike" and "you'll get used to it, you're just not a strong rider"; even the little things like giving me funny looks for picking pink bar tape, asking twice if I was sure, and "hey, I think black would look really good" ffffffffff

All day I've been debating putting it up for sale on the local bike boards, I'd rather loose more money than go back there. But I would be loosing a lot, and I've already dumped so much time and money into this monster. I have never been this stressed out about a thing before.

[emily_in_nc]

From the start, bad LBS would say things like "I thought you could ~handle~ that bike" and "you'll get used to it, you're just not a strong rider"; even the little things like giving me funny looks for picking pink bar tape, asking twice if I was sure, and "hey, I think black would look really good" ffffffffff

Not only is that insulting and demeaning, it's completely unprofessional. I would be SO incredibly PISSED. Is there a way you can take this to the higher ups at the LBS? Or was this the "higher up"?

[zoom-zoom]

even the little things like giving me funny looks for picking pink bar tape, asking twice if I was sure, and "hey, I think black would look really good" ffffffffff

Just this little detail makes me so sad. It's so not how my LBS handles things like this...at all. When I bought my CX bike--which is white with royal blue metallic--I decided that I wanted lime green for the accent color. Immediately our LBS buddy springs into motion to find every little thing in the shop in lime green--including a Fizik demo saddle (which I ended up hating, but it was fun for taking photos of the bike with lime tape, white and lime bottle cages, and lime saddle).

[OakLeaf]

Oh geez. What an a-hole. Hope you get your new frame squared away QUICK to where you never have to deal with these people again.

[Seajay]

We discussed the reach of that handlebar choice but in reality, you really won't be out that much by selling the frame. It's never good to struggle to force a fit. If you get a shorter frame, consider that the head tube may be shorter also. Your saddle will be higher in relation to your handlebar. It may be difficult to get the saddle height/bar height dimension you want.
One of the issues with a lot of these "simple" steel frame bikes is the older style fitting. Something with a taller headtube could be a better option.
How set are you with a stock traditional steel frame? I mention this because there are certainly custom steel frames that will give you the shorter top tube AND a taller head tube. There are also a bevy of aluminum and carbon frames that do the same thing stock.