"who insist that I'm wrong"

Wrong about which part?

"Dear client: if you were subject to an early withdrawal penalty, the first time homebuyer exception is one qualification for the waiver of the 10% penalty, for up to $10,000 of the distribution. Since you have an inherited IRA and are required to take distributions from it, there is no penalty at all. Therefore, the exception doesn't even apply to you. You have no penalty from which you need to be excused."

Put a rubberband around your wrist. Explain how it is landshark repellent. Offer him one, as well, to show you want him to be protected from landsharks. Oh, there is no such thing as a landshark? He still wants to be protected, right?