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.
Was also pushed back when trying to get a demo of some Naim amps. Eventually they afreed to do something weeks later. Week before the demo I called them to tel it wasn’t nessecary anymore since I bought a Musical Fidelify Nuvista M3 elsewhere. After that he remained quiet.