Sounds like your LBS had a Chorus group they wanted to get rid of.
The flaming can get bad. I ride campy BUT there is nothing wrong with Shimano or SRAM for that matter (Although SRAM is still on the proving grounds)....
I have never seen a Chorus part be pawned as a Record part....They are all marked, I am not sure it could be easily done.
I personally use a combo of stuff.....not everything campy is GREAT....can you say Ergobrain...lol I use Wipperman chains and a Chours cassette.....
I say to each his own BUT I think your LBS was passing some bad info....