first i'll point to this:
as for my post, no I don't seriously believe he was trying to get more money out of a customer - that was more of a spiteful comment at the quality of customer service because I don't believe picking up a toy and just handing it to the customer saying its popular is proper customer service.
if you applied that to every life situation of your own, how would that make you feel? music? food? cars? there's variety for a reason.
back to the leader bee though. personally, I would have asked her first if there was specific character the 5yo liked and then pointed out the different size classes/prices because you know there's a thing called budget. I also highlighted your second sentence to reinforce my point.
i can also see the other side to this - its the biggest toy sale ever! and the stores are crowded and they're probably understaffed and aren't familiar with their products so he's probably stressed, tired etc. but this is an old lady buying a gift for her grandchild and isnt familiar with the product herself. she doesn't go online and research toys or buy online to save some money - she goes to the toy sale at a physical store and is asking for a little help.