i used to be a regular in loads of tackle shops in the north east. i used to always go to ID, Temples (back in the day) and sports and leisure.
i never had a problem with any of the shops and i spent a hell of alot of money in them.
i will agree that there are clicks in tackle shops, but they are mainly the regulars, if you are in there most weeks, they get to know your face and will ask how you have been getting on and pass on any info they have been given. there are or where (long time since i used to fish) perks of being a good regular and you would often get told to wait until such a day or time for some good bait that is coming in etc. but its like most things, the more time you put into it, the more you get back. I always used to like mingling in the shops, club and when out fishing. helps to get info, tactics, tips etc.
i normally go to a few shops for bait anyway, the other day i got bait from, frasers and billys, there were hardly any difference in bait. only thing i have noticed is the price hike since i used to fish, it was only £1.10 for a bag of lug, i twisted my tits off when it went up to £1.30. got a shock when i went for the first time a few weeks back and found it was around the £2 mark! lol but times change and the price is a uniform hike across all the tackle shops (show how long ago it was when i last fished) haha
my only advice is to ask to see the worms, shop owners dont mind, or even ask for the best they have lol
then just ask if they have heard any good info, marks, baits etc. or tell them where you are going to fish and ask for their advice, they get alot of guys in over the week and hear alot of catch reports. If you just go in and do the asda checkout routine, they are less likely to start a conversation.
but as far a the ''who is best'' question, i go to all and dont go for one all the time.
At the end of the day, once the bait is on the hook and in the water, the fish dont know or care which tackle shop it came from
