To your point, all we in sales can do is get us in the door with the shmoozing some buyers expect and demand, service keeps us in or gets us kicked out, so yes, ablsolutely invaluable.
Now that you have online dating and virtual **** we probalbly won't need hookers either.
I guess there are people who buy shoes on the internet also. I have found it better to make sure I have the correct fit. There is also the taking of responsibility for the order being right. Simple, no brainer cookie cutter orders, sure you do not "need" a salesman.