Bonzai lost my business

... that is a pretty expensive $5.00 for the store.  The irony is that the $5.00 is not what set you off but the lack of customer service/tone of employee. 

Customer service is the one thing you expect from a LBS - and what differentiates them from Performance Bike or a web-based store like All3sports.com (where products can be significantly cheaper than at the LBS).

Consider it a lesson learned, relatively cheaply! 

Definitely talk to the store manager. Bonzai bent over backwards for me when I bought  a wetsuit online. 
They had a suit at my door in 3 days. "Try it in the pool. Make sure it fits." It didn't fit. I told them I was sending it back, and they sent a new one (no shipping), with a paid shipping label, before I sent the original back. "Keep whichever fits best." I was impressed.

Their service runs hot and cold, depending on who helps you. I've had kids who didn't know anything about tri, then had other employees who were great.

The owner is a really knowledgeable guy, and is the reason I went to the shop, based on recommendations from two people. The first 3-4 times I went in, he wouldn't give me the time of day, but I needed to rent a wetsuit, or buy supplies, so I sucked it up. Recently, he spent nearly an hour talking to me about ways to improve my swim, and suggested several local Masters programs.

I think the mixed service really hurts their business. At the same time, they are the only true tri store I know of in the Northern VA area. I've also had very mixed experiences at Conte's and Revolution, so I'm not sure there's a consistently great place anywhere nearby.

    If enough people started telling management that some of their reps are either crappy, have bad attitudes or just all around dis-interested in actually doing their jobs, management would fix the issue.  I hear a good way to do this is to tell them the problem and then stop buying from them (if it continues, of course).  Bonzai obviously has a good rep in general, but it's a couple bad apples that are spoiling the barrel.

    I worked at a hardware store where, it didn't matter what the customer said, I was told to smile and help them anyways... and this included them swearing at me and throwing things in one instance (long story).  The moral is that, in less than 20 years, this store is actually competing for business with companies like Lowes and Home Depot.  I've had customers that have driven 150 miles just to by door knobs from them.  Bizarre, but true.

~Evo 

I feel your pain.  I've also experienced the "don't give a damn" attitude there before.  I walked in and said sell me a bike, and they wouldn't give me the time of day.  I got a fit through their rep at Principle Fitness, and now I have a $200 credit to be used towards a bike purchase, and there's a very good chance I'm going to eat it and buy from somewhere else.  I was looking for a relationship, but they were looking for a lunch break.  I wanted someone to help me choose between the differing models, but suffice it to say I was able to learn far more myself in a few hours on the internet than anyone cared to tell me in the store.  I couldn't help but think it was because I didn't fit the profile of a real triathlete - 220 pounds of anti-aero and I was given a brochure to look through.  What I really wanted was someone to say "here's my expert opinion based on x and y and z for you lets get you on a bike (oh you want to swap that out, no problem) and see how it feels"

I've been pleased that there are more and more FIST certified fitters are local shops springing up.

I'll probably be getting a tri bike in the Fall, or early Winter. Have been trying to decide where to go. So many mixed reviews about Bonzai... I'm also looking at the p2c, B12, etc., and they are pretty much the only game in town. I had a bike fitting there, and they also installed my aerobars... that all went well.

I do think it depends on who you end up talking to... when I was there and I mentioned that I was probably going to pull the trigger on a tri bike, the guy I spoke with said, "well, we'd really love to help you out with that..." Not a huge deal, but not the apathy either that sometimes I hear.

Probably a YMMV kind of thing.

eta: I also think that if one calls up to make an appointment to buy a bike, as opposed to just showing up, you'll have a better chance of better service.  Not that it's right, but that is my suspicion. 

I have liked the service I have recieved from Contes in Arlington. I believe they have some of the bikes you are looking at. A Potomac River Running opened next door (the two stores are actually one) and it is a great place for one stop tri-shopping.

Doesn't hurt to shop around.

I think they only carry Specialized and Cervelo in the tri bike category... at least that is what their online site lists.  But, it can't hurt to look.  There was an article on Bikesport Michigan which compared the p2c, B12, QR, and a Kuota all in the $2500 range.  I'd love to try all 4 of them.  Who knows, maybe I'll fly out to Michigan. 

I think we saw a few Felts when we were in there.. But it may just have been a customer's bike..

maybe... they don't come up as a dealer on Felt's site.

Maybe you saw the guy who ended up being Deep Throat. 

That sucks - I rented a suit there last year, and they actually did tell me to make sure I returned it on a day they were open. It's just hard since most races are on Sat/Sun, so depending on when you rent it, you may have to pay extra since the store isn't open.

Arlington Wise Conte's is pretty much a Cervelo/Specialized shop, pretty sure I have not seen any Felt's in there.  I know Big Wheel Bikes has Orbea's and a few others, can't remebmer off the top of my head.

I have found you pretty much have to hit each store because they all seem to have better deals and selection on certain items.  Conte's pretty much only deals in the high end market for bikes, clothes and pretty much everthing else in the store.

When I have gone to Bonzai I have gotten mixed service, sometimes the people have been extremely helpful, other times I get the dull zombie stare...

I'll throw some props to Conte's in Arlington: Jason Walder (Store Manager) was very helpful in guiding me through the choices of bike shoes and clipless pedals: I had asked about a bunch of different pedals (that were much more pricey), but upon looking at my hybrid bike he said the best for me was the lower-priced Shimano's. 

When (unfortunately) he didn't have my shoe size in stock, he didn't try to push another brand on me.

He also showed me the Cervelo P2C and spent some time describing the bike fitting process, even though he knew I was not going to buy a bike that day.

I'll definitely be going back to Conte's when it's time to get the bike.