I work at AutoZone.

.60" is factory gap. Most people gap colder plugs in the .50" range somewhere. .43" is pretty small.

One, strut compressors don't cost $181 for deposit, it's an error. Two, loan-a-tools are more expensive than most shelf items, but you get it all back when you return it (within 3 months!), so quit whining. The price encourages you to return them so that someone else can use it. If you want to buy one, buy it.

There are dumb employees in any business, but I deal with more dumb customers in a day than you could believe. Most home mechanics are idiots and I've seen a lot of shady crap, so have a little respect for the local parts man (of any company).