After reading the Storm booth thread I thought I'd post my little experience and what I learned from it.

I got an orange leather heel for my ABS Tour Ultras from Buddie's over the internet.  It had a little groove in the heel and it seemed defective to me, but probably usable.  I didn't have enough time to send it back before Reno.  So, I took it to the Dynothane booth to exchange it.  With the many orange leather heels they had I noticed about half had little grooves/impressions in them (maybe from shipping?).  I wanted to swap mine for a good looking one.  I was honest with the older gentleman manning the booth there and told him I just got it on the internet, but was hoping he could give me a little piece of mind and exchange it.  I showed him the similar grooves on his stock, but since I didn't buy it from him, he still would not exchange it.  I was pretty shocked and explained since he was representing Dynothane, I thought this would be a simple thing to do for me.  He said it's his own stock with no backing from the company, and would not exchange it for me.  I was pretty peeved.

So, I learned that the booths were staffed by independent guys, not ball company reps.  But still at a national tourney like that I would think the ball companies would keep a better watch at who is representing their products.  My teammate was going to fork over the $169 for Tour Ultras there, but after my experience he passed.  He'll still get the shoes, but thru Buddies' where he'll also save $20 even after shipping.  Dynothane will get the sale, but the independent guy at the nationals booth will not.

let's go find out from the manufacturers . . . i think this guy was blowing smoke . . .
--------------------
That which does not kill me makes me stronger . . .

Independant operators yes and no. Some of the manufatcurers call in specific people for drilling and or selling who have some impressive resummee's. Carol Norman is usually at Storm's. Last year their was also a verry very large gentleman also at the storm booth who was a tour rep for many years (I believe with Hammer) The driller for Ebonite has been talked about as one of the best drillers around. (Billy Callahan?)
 As far as the swaping of product. Remember he does not know you from spit and he must be leary of any deals taking something in a return. I sympathize with your thought but do recognize his position as a valid business option.