Is the Popular Mechanics article much different than what already happens every time a new guy walks into a fly shop? As soon as the guy behind the counter catches wind of a newb, they pounce like a fricken lion and start trying to sell Tibors and high end rods. I have never seen a fly shop try to sell an SA starter kit. Hell, most fly shops dont carry them.
I have no doubt that what you describe happens, but not the local fly shop I started at, Cumberland Transit in Nashville.