"I told them, well I'm a veteran and served the Gulf War, thanks for keeping me hostage for an hour for your mistake and horrible customer service"

Yeah! give it to 'em, Mustang Gal!

I hardly ever believe a sales man or lady.
90% of the time they don't know their own merchandise. I always go looking for myself, and usually find it. (Not the small shops, I mean the big chain stores) I've given up telling the sales people, "I told you so". Can't waste my time with that.
This has been one of my favourite gripes. It's the same thing here in Germany. Although Germans always praised the service in the States, but times have been a changing. I noticed that after my last visit.
I agree with Anno, where are the managers? Don't they realize they lose so many sales through there untrained personnel?
They must earn too much…there's no other explanation.