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Many years ago I worked in one of the leading optical stores in Australian for 10 years. Every Christmas, stock would arrive with the obligatory cheap 70mm refactor on an equal cheap AZ2 mount, IMO a hobby killer.
I would refuse to sell these and would make a point to custom how useless these telescope are and the customer would be better leaving their money on the side of the road. Much like what happens to these hobby killers.
Sales pitch would be to selling the appropriate optical equipment for said age group. Generally, publications to help learn the night sky, binoculars, but sell them as general purposes, never know, they may get into bird watching. Telescopes that come equipped with a stable and easy to adjust mount E.g. AZ3 and Dobsonian. If a kid is involved the 70mm on an AZ3 was a good multi purpose telescope as it can be used for both land viewing and astronomy, bit of a win, win.
Try to steer first timers away from EQ Mounts but would always have those who what to do photography, so general sales pitch is to impress on them they need learn how to navigate the night sky before jumping into astrophotography. Most important if your goal is to photograph nebulae. I would sell them a telescope but would ensure they have the right publication and that they join an astronomical society and get in touch with the Astro photography section to learn the finder art.
Finally with all my costumer I would direct them to their local Astronomical Society, which is a good way for them to learn the art of astronomy.
Those hobby killers I mentioned, they were always the last stock in the storeroom at Christmas Eve.
That’s my take.
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