That's funny, I have had very similar experiences myself. The Big5 I go to here in CA is great, the same guy I deal with all the time and he knows all about the products they sell. He knows me well enough that he sometimes will hold things aside that he knows I would like. Just bought two guns yesterday as gifts and was able to get 20 % off as they were on sale.
They're everywhere. I went to a Home Depot ........
Just consider the source. They're everywhere. I went to a Home Depot once to get tires, not the assembled wheel (tire and rim), for my lawn tractor. They had tires but not that size on the shelf so I asked if they had any in the back needing to go on the shelf. The guy asked me again what I wanted and he said (not joking here) "so you only need half a tire?" I answered "how would that work?" and left.
I am surprised they didnt ask you if you wanted that super sized. (A flash back to their last job)
Newly hired Holiday help? I don't mind ignorance on a subject so long as they are nice about it. Even I don't know everything