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.
Because audiophiles may be very insecure about themselves and the more insecure you can make them, the less likely they are in trusting their own hearing and more likely in trusting the price tag on what they bought - or are being encouraged to buy next.
Monster cables would not exist without insecure buyers.