Unfortunately most hobby stores can't afford to pay enough to get people with lots of expertise (and keep them) without raising their prices so high they can't compete with the online stores - hence you get kids with little to no experience most times. Often you will get better and more knowledgeable help during nights and weekends when people who have higher paying day jobs work part time for the love of the sport (and the employee discounts). The store I use is also a Hobbytown and Justin and his staff are great to us there - (that, of course, changes with the manager and the staff at each location with any large chain).