I too have done this while browsing in the kit aisle. It's kind of fun getting someone involved with the right model, knowing they will finish it, and hopefully not get frustrated with a kit to advanced for their skill level.
In fact that is how I landed a job in a hobby shop in the 80's. I did the interview, and when we got back to the store there were 2 guys looking at a Hubley kit. Long story short I talked them into buying 3 kits, all that were in stock at the time, and was offered a job right after.