Me.Yes that's true, how many here could say they would be as good as they are now at growing if not for the internet.....
Started my pot growing back in the 80's before internet. At the time I already had a decade of gardening experience. Rodale's "Organic Gardening" and "The Complete Book of Composting" were my goto bibles.
As for dealing with sales personal I have always predetermined what it is I wish to purchase (based on experience or doing my own research). Then just shop based on price , reliability or availability.