Underwhelmed with new Amira

[Seajay]

I have to agree this sounds mostly like a Caren problem.
You are making the common mistake thinking because you know how to ride a bike you know all about bikes and the way bike shops work. Kind of like me accessing this forum and assuming I know how the computer industry works.
Yes, the overcharge was a mistake. However, it was corrected and the bike shop doesn't control how your bank handles it.
I won't go into the various mistakes you are making in your assumptions about bike, fit and product. Suffice it to say you don't know what you are talking about.

Interesting you make the effort to point out your Catholicism yet are quite open with your impatience and making JUDGEMENT on an awful lot of things.

Posts like this make me sad.

[Crankin]

I think the OP is just upset; however, the reference to the LBS owner being a certain religion did not sit well with me. I don't want to get into that, but suffice to say this is an example of when I used to tell my kids "you can think it, but don't say it." The fact that someone thinks that it is an acceptable comment kind of floors me.
Sigh.

[roo4]

I actually thought the OP was just stressed because she spent a significant amount of money so soon after major life changes, based on previous threads.

I agree with Muirenn here. I get the same way when I buy expensive stuff: car, bike, gear, anything. I get excited, write the check, go home, and second guess myself. Caren, get on your bike and ride!

[Caren]

Well whatever. To each his (or her) own I guess. For me, $2500 is a lot of money. I ran my own business and worked my *** of for each and every single dollar and I manage money well. It's a big purchase to me and I don't expect things to arrive damaged. Not the shop owners fault but as I didn't transport the bike, not my fault either. Regardless, she called Specialized and they sent out a new one, no problem.

As to the religious aspect, my faith is extremely important to me and in a world where being PC rather than having a moral foundation seems to be the only acceptable option, I respect and value someone who will put their faith out there. Seeing the Crucifix in her place of business gave me a very warm feeling. As a business owner she is free to do that. As a business owner I was free to refuse to make any of my products with Obama wording because I am fundamentally against everything he stands for. That's my right as the owner of the business and I realized that I lost some business because I refused to do that. No biggie, that's my right to stand on my morals. I've chosen my doctor because he understands my religious stance against contraception, I've chosen my local Wendy's over McDonald's because they play the local Christian music station. I'm allowed to make my faith the center of my decision making and don't feel the need to apologize for that.

The irritation of stem charge, sure, that's a first world problem. But I was only aggravated because the other shop hadn't planned to charge me for it. No biggie. I'd say anyone spending more than $500 on anything that's recreational has the luxury of first world problems so be that as it may, I can be irritated if I want to.

More than anything I was feeling the let down. I put a lot of time and effort into making what was for me a big and expensive decision after huge life changes like a sucky expensive divorce and the sale of my business. I brought the bike home, found the chips and couldn't even take it out for a spin. I was just a little cranky, PMS'y and tired. Next time I'll take my old bike out and work it out myself rather than looking for a virtual hug. Whatever.

FWIW, I got the replacement in and after a quick 30 miles this morning, I'm totally in love with it. It's seriously a kick *** bike, I can't wait for the Bike MS ride this weekend. :-)