Are Nikon lenses better than Canon lenses?

While browsing through the various DSLR's at Best Buy one of the workers there told me, and i quote, "Nikon makes better lenses, Canon's cost less but you'll replace them more often."

any truth to that?

That's a bunch of Hype, I have owned Canon Cameras for many, Many years and the Lenses are just as good as any Nikon, and they do last, I have had Lenses for in excess of 20 years without fail. I will concede however that, Nikon has a great reputation, but then again So Does Canon. My Opinion. Take it for what it's worth.
Both have great Quality control.

Some, Nikon has been known for the quality of their optics forever.

Canon lens don't wear out though. I think you will find that a Canon camera/lens takes just as good of a picture as a Nikon will.

The thing is, you decide which lenses based on the camera body you select. Canon lens won't fit/work on a Nikon body. The major investment in photography equipment is generally the lenses, hence you tend to locked in to a brand after you buy a few lenses.

Also a quality camera won't guarantee good pictures.

Nope. Both make excellent lenses.

Nikon lenses are much better, for Nikon cameras. They are pretty worthless on Canons though.

Nikon makes wonderful lenses, and some outperform Canon lenses. But you can say the same about Canons. Some of the Canon L series lenses are the best in the world when compared to similar lenses.

I have never had a Canon lens that was not mistreated need replacement.

Research where they get their glass from. You will see both have great glass and the years they were made will tell you what lens is best.

Rubbish!
Canon and Nikon lenses are pretty comparable across their ranges. They will both last you for many years. In some ranges, one might be more expensive than another but overall there's nothing to chose between them.

Both are well known company. But everyone is not perfect in all site. So you have to choose what type of shoot you want to do then choose the company.

There's, and always has been, an underlying friendly war between owners and advocates of both brands of cameras.

I've been a professional for over 40 years and have always liked and used Nikon equipment. To me, it has the best cameras and sharpest glass of ANY other brand. But, you can find just as many Canon owners that will say the same things about their equipment.

I guess, it's just a matter of finding out for yourself. But, keep one thing in mind; you can never go wrong with Nikon.