I've come back and seen this thread a few times, and I don't know what shops you've been to, but the few that I've been around haven't been that way at all. Yeah a lot of them want you to buy a pricier rod, but frankly, they tend to be a better quality rod, that doesn't mean you'll catch more fish with them, but it may be a little less fatiguing, more sensitive, etc.
Between Dally's, Mclellands, Plateau and a few others I've nothing but positive experiences, and trust me, I ain't wearing a rolex.