I managed a store (cameras, not phones) where there were always incentives from a certain manufacturer. Sell so many of a particular model and you get to pick a prize from a catalog. The value of the prize increased as the number of that makers cameras you sold. The sales people would really push that model, unless a customer specifically asked for another by name. Some sales people get very competitive, and think of it as a game.
I quoted this to highlight it.
I cannot emphasize enough that salespeople are not in any way, shape or form unbiased and just want to get you set up with a device that's right for you.
The amount of incentives given to sales people to modify their behavior might boggle the minds of people who aren't aware of this. Pre-loaded credit/debit cards, cash, bonuses, commissions, free or subsidized trips, you name it.
"Sell 3 Acme Devices by the end of the day and I'll give you $100."
"Sell 100 Acme Devices this month, and you get a 2-week all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii."
You get the idea. Want to guess what the sales guy/gal is going to push you to when you walk in? Do you think that just maybe it might be an Acme Device?
Plus, all of this can be given a certain amount of plausible deniability. Want to make it look like your sales team doesn't get commission or spiffs? Then have Acme pay it to the reps directly, and you can truthfully say "We don't pay on commission."
Or, pressure the store managers. Or the regional guys. There can be negative consequences for not selling enough Acme Devices too.
I don't see how someone can be "pushed" into anything.
When Im in those situations and someone attempts to push me I let them know in a nice way to dial it back.
Free will is such an awesome thing
Sure it is, and you're practicing free will, good for you.
But do you honestly think everyone going into a Verizon store has the same state of mind that you do? Most won't, and many will go along with the sales rep.