You should try another shop. I've had some great experiences in HiFi stores and I always recommend them to anyone looking to drop money on audio because of that. Support local businesses and all that jazz.

If you believe that you need a "purchasing history" to prove that you are a Hi-Fi nerd, you are wrong.

I think people, pressured by the constant fear of missing out and bombarded by posts from others, who are high on new toy syndrome, have forgotten that it used to be about the music and not about how empty your wallet is.

Nothing wrong with dropping PHAT stacks of cash on your ideal setup. But the moment you stop listening to music and start listening to gear instead, something went wrong, I think.