2009 Specialized Dolce (Aluminium)

[Jorrocks]

My GF bought one of these a few weeks ago, her first ever 'grown up' bike. It is equpped with Sora shifters and front mech, triple chainset, and a Tiagra rear mech.
It's had a full massive service carried out by our LBS (new chain, cassette, cables etc.), but it's still got horrible shifting, with massive lever throw required, especially for the front rings, ghost shifting at the rear. It's so bad that it's putting her off riding it now.
What I was hoping from you experienced roadies is whether you think the frameset itself is good enough to warrant an upgrade to, say, 105, Ultegra or the equivalent Campag? It's currently a 9 speed triple, I was thinking of going 9 speed compact double using NOS parts and/or secondhand off eBay. I guess 10 or 11 speed would be a bit excessive costwise?
Expenditure so far has been £320 on the bike, about £100 on parts and £60 on the servicing.
Many thanks in advance!
J.

[Celtic Dragon]

A full tiagra groupset is about £200 so not to bad to rule out. I think the Dolce is the entry level womens bike, 1 of the ladies in the office block has one.

My tiagra shifters move about an inch left to right to shift especially the front shifter.