I shop at some large sporting stores (Kittery Trading Post, etc) as well and find what is being discussed here is the exception not the rule. Most people I talk to know in these places are very knowledgable. Most of these places have specialized folks working there. People that know a little about everything but a lot about specific items...(archery equipt, flyrods etc)...

Enjoy the time spent there, you will most certainly leave with what you wanted in the first place...