Consumers don't like old fashioned sales practices. Old fashioned sales practices are changing. Prospects have competitive information seconds away. Freebies are everywhere. Response times have moved from days to seconds.
Buyers are more savvy - both price and quality conscious.
New competitors are springing up daily. Industries are changing at a pace never seen before. If you don't stay one step ahead of the ever quickening pace - your competitors will beat you. Sales isn't about 'closing' anymore. Selling is about listening and understanding.