The shop was half empty and looked as if the owner...

The shop was half empty and looked as if the owners were liquidating. Only one clerk was on duty, and he took an inordinate amount of time trying a hard sell of a "equivalent" Taiwanese starter motor to a client who was very patient in trying to get the fact that said starter wouldn't fit into his car and he needed another brand through.

When it was my turn I explained what I needed, but was first treated to a colloquy on the failings of the previous client, starting with, "No, sir, I wouldn't rest my arm there, that guy put his battery down and probably sloshed all over..." and getting worse.

Needless to say, the clerk didn't have the things I needed either, although a big show was made of running all over the shop "trying to find them". I was then also offered "equivalents" which were "really better than the original". One of these was a lamp of a type notorious for disintegration in the socket. I demurred and left.

I wonder what calumny the next visitor was told about me.