Actually, I've stepped in more than once to circumvent the rediculous advice that one of the "electrical specialists" at the orange or blue box store was spewing fourth to an unsuspecting customer. I've also gotten quite a bit of work as a result of talking over the customers head.
Don't get upset by these situations, make the most of them. Always carry a few business cards in your wallet when shopping at the boxes.
Even if you don't get any business out of the deal, you're doing a fellow human a good turn by steering them in the right direction, and possibly saving their property, or even (at the risk of being a little dramatic) their life.
