It's quite obvious this guy would much prefer to work on a well built instrument than on one with "problems," and he probably really believes that you'd benefit from having a "better" instrument. (In all likelihood, he'd prefer you to have one he sold you?)

I think you should take a day to spend with him, while you have him show you all of the "better" instruments he thinks you should have. Let him play them for you, and play them for yourself - but be sure to make him play a good amount of "your kind of music," (and apply your best skills to showing how he's "not playing them in the proper style" - if that's the case.)

After you've wasted his entire day (having fun for yourself, of course), you'll have the option of telling him "I really like my old one best" (or you may actually have found that you like one of his too.)

More seriously - You've described enough "minor faults" in your instrument to fully justify him in recommending that you consider something "better," and it probably is much more difficult to work on your instrument than on an instrument that's in good shape.

He also probably gets lots of requests for "special" bridge shapes from people who don't know what they need, but think that some special shape will compensate for their lack of practice - and who will blame him if it turns out that their "special shape" doesn't improve their playing.

Until you spend enough time with him for him to learn that you do know what you need, he's just defending himself on the assumption that you're "just another amateur" who doesn't know any better. (After all, you have an instrument that probably looks to him like it might have come from a garage sale(?))

If he's good, and conveniently located, you can learn to live with his lack of social skills, and he will, most likely, learn to respect your wishes. If he's seriously impaired in this department, it's just an opportunity for you to practice "dealing with difficult people."

Of course, if he's really just an a..hole... (your decision).

John