With regard to music ground; i have hit and miss experiences in there for me (leeds shop), but once they had a pedal in and i asked to try it, they gave me some thing about it being really expensive so i just said "yeah i know, but someone is selling one for like half your price on some forum and i just want to test it out" and they had a giggle and let me have a go.
but sometimes i hate being in there; when i asked for a onespot type power supply in music ground leeds, one guy told me it couldnt possibly exist and all this other stuff, and the same guy once told me he couldnt sell me a speakon to jack lead because that also didnt exist.
i get much nicer responses and help from soundcontrol, so now if i need a quick lead or something ill go there.
music ground has let me down loads, i dont even bother browsing in there anymore.
One of the main annoyances is that certain members of their staff have always come across as automatically assuming that i know less than them, and when they're telling me that certain things dont exist (when i have it at home!!!) is ridiculous.
sorry for the bad grammar! i cant type properly if i get in a bit of a rant.