Experience 1: Beijing, exactly same story as you mentioned. It was a tour from Malaysia engages local tour in Beijing. But the aunties like it. Whatever lo. I followed malaysian tour, no choice.
Experience 2: Myanmar, we were at inle lake, did a boat trip. The guy was nice, after 1 or 2 shopping detour, he stopped at another, we told him we don't want to and he happily bring us towith next destination.
Experience 3: Egypt, nice friendly people, quote high price but don't force us to buy. Our tour guide brought us there, told us pit stop, told us don't worry, no obligation to buy. Tour guide was from a tour company.
Beware of Scam in Beijing, Based on personal experience