As strange as this initially felt to me when reflecting on it, I agree with all the points that Elaur is making. A salesperson is selling a product or service, it is of the quality and whatever else that it is, it is up to the customer to decide if that is really what they want. It is NOT the salesperson's mission to point out all the lackings of the product/service, or what other product/services out there are better and why.
To use a tv reference, not everyone is looking for a Pioneer 60" plasma, not everyone is in the market for a Sony. Sure they have betetr technical specs than say Daewoo or whoever, but for plenty of people Daewoo is all they are looking for so some salesperson going "I'm sorry, this isn't a Sony, there products are SOOOO much better than this" misses the point. Now if the customer asks how the Sony and Daewoo compare, and the sales rep lies that is a whole other matter, but it is the customer who decides what they are looking for, not the salesperson.
Wow, I just defended the actions of salespeople, I feel a little bit dirty now or something...