I have a son who live, sleeps and eats cycling...he's got that gaunt look. So, when I went to purchase, we spent a lot of time on the phone going over details...I'm lucky, I suppose, but he gives me grief if I go to a big chain, like Supergo instead of supporting my local shop.

The other day, I was in an REI looking for a head band because I lost mine/on sale...the sales guy was trying to sell a middle-aged guy with a road bike mountain shoes. They guy doesn't clip-in but just rides with the kids on the dirt canal paths...the BS he was giving this guy to sell him shoes was unbelievable! (here we go again with the shoes...) Sigh...

Also, where I live, the bike shops are under law to provide information about helmets. As a matter of fact, when I purchased my bike, they asked if I had a helmet/what kind, ect. I was practically told that I couldn't leave the shop with out a helmet.
I had to sign a paper about owning a helmet, I was instructed and fitted, I was required to learn how my quick release brakes worked and had to physically show the salesperson how I knew how it worked, then signed off that he showed me. It was an ordeal but, they told me it was required and I had to sign as many papers as refinancing a mortgage making sure I knew how to work all parts on the bike and had a helmet. Whew.
However, did you all know that the state of AZ does not require motorcyclist to wear a helmet? Go figure.
Terry