clinte -
this is often the case, you go to these shops that are bigger and allot of the guys will just give u kak advise and that often ends up in making a wrong purchase.
like mia's trying to sell u a pioneer equipment
or westerns trying to sell you waft equipment or jackal etc
they will outright bash other brands on the market.
in order to get you to purchase their own in house brand.
so some times going to a smaller guy is better as you get advise from a fisherman that actually has real knowledge about these products.
but u pay a bit more of a premium for the gear and a guy's help.
where as a bigger shop will you will get a nicer price as the cost of poorer less knowledgable customer service?
thats where the forum comes in handy u can get first hand experiences and reviews from people here.