It seems like all hobby stores (woodworking, models, audio, bicycles, guitars in my experience) are often like this. Unfortunately I don’t have any of those within a 3hr drive of me anymore.

Been that way forever. The only time I’ve ever been in a shop in the last 40 years that weren’t that way was when I was in high school and bought my first set of speakers. Walked in, told them I had a $500 budget and the guy spent the better part of three hours helping me audition speakers. He made a sale. Any store I’ve been in where they’ve been uppity I’ve just walked out on, reminding them I was looking for something special, but I’ll just go elsewhere or order it online with a return policy. There’s other reasons there are a shortage of these types of shops besides online retail - jerks who work there.

I have a Sansui AU-719 I picked up for $50 a couple years ago. Other than needing a recap it looks new and sounds pretty good to me.

I have one little 12x13x7.5’ room that I have to fit my hifi and all my guitar gear into. There is only 4’ of blank wall space at the floor level after it’s all in. Is what it is. I’m the only one ever in it so could care less what anyone thinks of how it looks.