One of the liabilities of being a knowledgeable and experienced cyclist is that you're more and more likely to have to deal with salespeople who know less than you (but typically are sure they know more). In any case, it sounds to me like these guys had an agenda... move stock.

I remember a trip to a bike shop where I told the guy I wanted a bike with a steel frame. He sniffs snobbishly and sez "bike frames aren't made of steel anymore, except the bikes at Wal-Mart." And I'm thinking well, who the h*ll calls it Cr-Mo Steel? They lost a potential sale.

I figure I can learn something from everybody, but pul-leeze don't assume I'm an idiot.

PS: How bad would the 15yo Campy have been? Especially if you could get it for '80s prices?