Well, for what it's worth; Spirit of Ox- boycott away to your heart's content. While it may make you happy, I don't think your local GC will care; if they did, you wouldn't have those problems. There are 2 GC's here in Las Vegas; I almost never go to either of them, because:
1. They're too far away (although one is close to the local Fry's Electronics, and I go there a lot);
2. They
never have anything left-handed, except an occasional Squire starter kit (and I'm not about to swap my Alembic for one of those);
3. I really don't think I should have to explain to a music store employee that; a) a Bass guitar is
not the same as a "real" guitar, and; b) not only are the strings different from a "real" guitar, they also come in
different lengths, too. And anyway, whatever I want, they never have; and
4. Sam Ash, and Cowtown Guitars, are much closer to home; almost everyone who works there is a guitar/bass player, and they do occasionally have a lefty or two. And they usually have what I need, or will try very hard to get it quick-as-a-bunny, if they don't. And they call me when it comes in.
That said, I did go to the GC in South Bend, Indiana, this summer, and it was a totally different experience from the ones here. Nice, knowledgeable people (musicians. too!) and even a lefty or 2 to mess with. So, just the luck of the draw, I guess. Oh, before I forget; one of the GC's here has Pin Cushion Chick's twin brother working the door (at least, I
think it's a guy...).