I always feel like bike shops don't want my business. Maybe they're just sick of people wasting their time.

I know it seems stupid, but that's the way it is sometimes. I used to think one of the shops I went to was worthless. But since there are only a couple shops around I don't have much of a choice. Finally, after seeing me in there enough and getting to know me they are very helpful and always order stuff if they don't have it in stock. Now I go there for everything that I don't buy online. They even give me a discount (sometimes.)

Bike shops are a lot like automotive mechanics. Some suck, others are good, and some seem bad at first but turn out to be ok.