Did your rotary kit have a hard time getting into those tight corners near the flue, or does it manage those spots pretty well too?

Yeah that awkward feeling goes away after the first few times you do it. People actually respect silence way more than they respect a rushed pitch. Just wait them out and watch how often they end up filling that quiet space with their REAL objections or buying signals.

Did that hardware store guy actually recommend it or did he just grab whatever was cheapest?

Wait, you used threaded rod and it actually bent on you? I tried that once and gave up after the first attempt when the rod started twisting and the cups went in all crooked. Honestly, the Park Tool press is totally worth it for the peace of mind alone. I remember wrestling with a seized cup on an old Trek frame using a homemade setup and ended up scratching the head tube so bad it made me cringe. Now I just grab the press and its done in minutes with zero drama. Plus you can usually sell it used if you only need it for one bike.

Start checking submission dates on those blinds, saves a ton of time lol.