Please, please always put a customer's safety before their lame wants/desires.

It seems that you already do this, which is excelllent. I wouldn't care if I felt like the dumbest person on the planet. If I took my rig into a shop and they let me know (in a very clear way) that I was riding something that was hazerdous to my safety, I'd alter what I "needed".

It sounds like you were trying to not make them uncomfortable, which is understandable in your situation.

I go out of my way for customers at my job, and it seems like you do the same. If you have their best interests in mind, then don't get down on yourself. Go on with your bad self.