I went to buy a Pixel 2. Verizon tried to sell me a Galaxy S8 [telecom]

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Commentary: Verizon is Google's exclusive partner for the Pixel 2 phone. But I wouldn't have known that after a chat with a Verizon salesman.

You might watch a launch event and decide you must have that new phone.

You might read a review -- they're very good on CNET, you know -- and hope you'll be influenced.

Many people, though, walk into stores and are willing to be swayed.

I'm one of them. I want to touch the phone, play with it and listen to a salesperson's patter.