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.
They shouldn’t assume that though. I was just 17 when i got my first credit card and maxed it out on a pair of pretty good speakers for the time, Jennings Research Vector 2’s. $800 was 4 months pay at the time for me and i was delighted with them. Used them daily for the next 40 years before upgrading.