I know what you mean about some hobby shop clerks not really too intrested in helping you. I know they get burned out with lookie loo's and answering the same questions over and over. I walked into a shop in central California and the guy never got off his stool to see what I was looking at or to ask if I needed help. I think it was because of my first question which had to do with r/c aircraft. I found out later that they cater mostly to r/c cars. Just my observation.