Replying to Shopping with prodeals

Many of us. Or most of us, whatever the statistic, have a form of prodeals from working in the industry. When going into shops to try on gear, it creates an awkward scenario when you want to save money but the employees are either people you know or friends. Especially boot work where you are almost expected to buy the boot from them since they are expected to help with that whole complexity and it gives them commissions. Thoughts on kicking tires in shops when you have the discount?