This is something I’ve noticed lately. A lot of hifi shops and hifi manufacturers have helpful staff, but just as many are extremely rude and arrogant.
I’ve had people speak condescendingly about my amp when I’m demoing speakers. Same thing for my speakers. I’ve even had someone, and I kid you not, tell me my streamer has shit sound quality.
It seems like hifi shops are either extremely helpful or just downright awful. The same with manufacturers, they either recognise that there exists alternatives or everything sucks ass compared to their product.
A lot of the shops in my neck of the woods (high cost of living area) immediately try to schedule an appointment to visit your home so they can make a floor plan for your listening space and immediately pitch multi-zone bullshit with high-in-wall cables.
God, I love and hate LA at the same time. Like Bro, I’m just trying to buy an amp lol.