Real life doesn't work like that, even in Fishtown or NoLibs. The vendor or service supplier is ultimately employed by the customer. And, yes, the customer/employer is occasionally a jerk. FWIW, the Op's situation actually sounds to me like Zachary behind the counter was the one being the jerk, having forgotten who he ultimately works for. Zach doubled down on the stupid by lying about freewheels being integral. Lying to the customer and treating them like excrement might work when you're trying to turn away customers, but that's the only thing its good for.

In a right-to-work state, your only option to satisfying the customer is to find a job where you don't need to be accountable - like academia or the public sector.

It's irritating that I even need to explain this.

Those who have ever wondered why millennials are chronically underemployed, look no further.