Thank you for continuing to handhold me.

Ok I went BACK to the store for a final fitting and to do some test rides with some bikes. I was struggling with the decision for the final bike choice. It was between a 17" specialized hardrock or an 18" trek 4300. Which would you choose?
Also, the guy there said that there is no noticiable difference between a RST gila t5 front shocks vs a RST gila t5 plus shocks.

The hardrock I tested had the plus shocks (which had a nice smooth ride) vs the trek 18" that didnt have the plus (the trek's ride wasnt that smooth). The store guy said that there isn't much of a real world difference for street use besides the "plus" rst t5 having more travel. And that most likely the shocks on the trek 4300 needed the load to be adjusted.
Do you think he was telling the truth?

Can you help me with these questions? :|