i had exactly the OPPOSITE experience earlier this week
after i gave her an expired code, the clerk found another one--25% off ding ding ding, i was like hell yeah...historically, i have spent a ton at nashbar, you catch em at the right time, and they're good for up to half off. on just about any component, apparel, nutrition product, whatever, they have in stock. i wouldnt call their marketing strategies bait and switch, because you know what to expect from them. they just dont want to spend a whole lot of time dycking around and haggling on prices that are already rock bottomed and then are discounted even more. they want you to pull the trigger.
plus, as i have said elsewhere, just about anything you miss on nashbar goes right to performance like, the next day. check performance for speedplay, that one sounds like its speedplay, not nashbar that is prohibiitng the discounting of the equipment.
bottom line nashbar's not perfect, but if you're patient, you'll get what you want at rock bottom pricing..just pay attention to your e mail discount coupons--the big nashbar discounts only last two three days AT MOST, and use performance as a back up, its the same company