Consulate General of the Russian Federation In Houston

They said on the phone I can come in to get my passport after having confirmed citizenship in another consulate elsewhere within the States, but upon my arrival, I was told that the information I have received from their own [appointment taking] agent was incorrect, and I must officially initiate another brand new citizenship verification directly from Houston, and pay another fee of 70 USD, plus, most annoyingly, possibly have to wait for 6 more months for the citizenship to be confirmed again (that’s how long it took the first time, plus I was required to basically call both the consulate and UFMS on a weekly basis, to babysit their information sharing, which they think is how it is supposed to work, after paying them 70 USD to basically do nothing), and, additionally, endure another trip to Houston for the passport application, because I cannot make an application today, irrespective of the information I have received prior to my arrival to the office, and irrespective of my citizenship already having been confirmed. With so much delay, it seems like it might be a better idea to just get an American passport instead — would be both faster and even cheaper!
Why two star? At least I didn’t have to pay for parking — they have free garage parking for visitors, plus people in the office were at least somewhat friendly and sympathetic.
But should it really be a more difficult, costly, cumbersome and lengthy process to get a Russian passport replaced, compared to naturalisation to acquire another citizenship?