I guess I just don't understand this frequent advice. Trying out rods before you buy I suppose makes sense unless the closest fly shop is 300 miles away.
All the rods I have were ordered or purchased on E-Bay. The only one I dislike is a 7 wt Redding...no doubt not the rod's fault...any one want to buy?
My favorite?...a Scott 5 wt of course.
Trying before you buy? Unless it's a custom job that you can't readily return...I'm a tad confused.
Maybe it's a question of clicking and guess I do click with the Scott...nothing I've been able to duplicate though.