I sometimes go look at stuff in person and then go buy it cheaper on line too. There is no need to be embarrassed - You don't have to make up a story for doing something similar. I do find it humorous you actually see it as a problem that a sales clerk wasn't cool about you walking out with a set of binos to look through, and you see it fit to complain on line about it (in CSC's page no less - very classy).
You bought a rifle, scope and rings all at once and didn't check which height rings you needed prior to choosing them seeing as you had the rifle and scope there? That seems a bit far fetched.
I'm pretty sure I could go into that store and pick out multiple manufacture's options for extra low, low, medium, high, extra high rings for 1", 30mm, 34mm and 35mm tubes, so you'll have to excuse me for not believing a word you type that a sales clerk recommended you saw in half a one-piece base.
I'm not affiliated with the store at all, but I do frequent it as a consumer. It does get extremely busy. I can't recollect a time I've never been asked if I needed anything, but I'm sure it has happened. If I do need help I simply ask for it.
Sales staff are working a job and are for the most part, young fellows. They can't be experts or even knowledgeable in everything that is in that store.