Hey playdough, if you put the area you live in in your registration somebody can tip you off to the shops where they can't get enough of the company of women. We are blessed with two such in New Orleans, and they exist all over but how do we look out for each other with no info? I know all about pain in the butt people in bike shops, and often the owner is a cool guy who has to settle for staff who'll show up and not steal. These rude jerks are usually wanna bees, not truly accomplished cyclists. My shops owner is the nicest guy in the world who knows his main income is selling hybrids and touring bikes to rec riders, and keeping them happy and riding so they'll come back. You'd never guess he's a retired racer of impressive accomplishment at the national level. Until you ask how he knew what your fit issues are before he saw you on the bike. More shops like his are around, and we can't try to send you to good people if we don't know where you are.
Another thing I've noticed- A lot of shop staff are good guys, but they tend to be hungover a lot. It seems to be part of the bikeshop lifestyle. There's usually good beer in the mechanics room fridge. Mascara can sometimes magicly counteract this, but not always. The snobbery/insecurity problem exists but some times I think it's achy head. Once again, go to the owner. He's usually a grown up.

missliz