In this case, the manager certainly did seem to lie to my face. He told we I did not have to pay an ETF to the carrier when he knew:

1) I'd already had to do so
2) All major US carriers with contracts charge ETFs
3) That ETF statement precedes the Radio Shack fine print on the receipt he referenced.

When I told he I though he knew better than that, he didn't deny it and looked away.

I don't think my statement was unfair given my personal experience. I am certainly not saying every employee lies, and I'm sure many of them don't. But some may lie and it can be to the customer's financial detriment when they do.