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.
In the east coast states Crutchfield is the opposite they are knowledgeable and helpful and they sell everything you can want —unless your into weird esoteric stuff but then your gonna get weird snobby people selling it. I use them as well as world wide stereo and audio advice. They’re all pretty great and ship anywhere in the country with free returns.