What Mike is referring to is the concept of "impulse buying".

People are prone to impulse buy. It's in our genetics. If it is right in front of us, we don't have to wait, and it looks good, often we will spend the money and get it for instant gratification.

LOTS of people do this. Even those that are well informed. You ask how many people from this forum have paid to get a snake from a pet store. Even if it was just to "save" it. I'm sure there would be a decent list.