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.
I haven’t had that experience here in ATL. It’s actually been very supportive and educational. Even today, I went to Best Buy in Alpharetta and was blown away by the remodeling of the store and the new rooms they had for A/B testing as well as the customer service from the employee handling the section.