Chucko....... I worked in a truss factory 45 years ago when they were the up and coming thing. Back then, we would hand nail the plates to the wood. Your post brought back some of the things that I had learned back then, but one thing hasn't changed. Many people think that because a place sells a product that they know all about that product. This is as far from the truth as can be. The people in the box stores many times are nothing but order takers and have never handled a truss except to take it off one truck and put it on another. You have given him good advise, but like horses, you can only lead him to water, but you can't make him drink. Going directly to the manufacturer and explaining what you intend to do is the best way to resolve this issue. If the trusses fail because of poor design or installation, he will have no one to turn to except himself. A properly designed and installed truss will withstand the test of time.... You can buy vegetables based on price, but when it comes to building materials, there is more than price that needs to be considered. When price is the first concern, and many times the only concern, many things such as safety are sacrificed, and disaster looms in the future.