Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

Though they are doing it, therefore setting a precedent for other people to ask for a refund. All it does is enamor people even more to the brand for just a few quid their end.

The brand loyalty Rapha manage to create is very impressive.

That's so untrue, what they've done is extend some goodwill to a customer who has then posted an account of it on an open forum where anyone with the ability to Google can find it, therefore setting a precedent. You've exploited the Company's good nature. They know full well you could return said items for free, get a refund and then re-buy at the cheaper price so it's less work for them to give you back the difference, it's not because they want to.

Would you have the cheek to walk back in to your LBS a week after purchasing something and say "I bought this last week and am perfectly happy with it but notice this week you're selling it for a bit less, can I have the difference back?" Would you fuck, it'd be far too embarrassing. Rapha is a privately owned business much like your LBS and should be dealt with in the same way.

Heh, you'd be on the phone in a heartbeat in the same situation.

No I would not. I wouldn't have the gall.