Dave hit the nail on the head!
The sales people that you run into in different places are going to have different levels of experience, colored with their own opinions. And hopefully, they will know some facts about the products they are selling.
When I am going to buy something even mildly important to me, I will research it out to the Nth degree. I'll only go into a place shopping for something once I've done some research to compare things and to have a real look at things, side by side. Most times, a sales person will ask if they can help or ask if I have any questions. I can tell right away if the salesman is just throwing a pitch to sell something.
As far as Cabelas and bamboo rods. They used to sell some bamboo rods.....Highland Mills rods. I don't know when they stopped selling them. Most big box stores aren't going to sell something that's a slow mover and takes up valuable sales space.