The first BP we ever saw was in Petco. My son and I decided we loved it. The store employee gave us lots of (incorrect) husbandry information. We left the store, went home, and began our research that lasted for a couple of months before we felt okay to start looking for a BP from a breeder. We now have 8 (maybe 9) snakes waiting for warm weather to be shipped to us. In the meantime, we have our RBI cages (3) and RBI racks (2) all hooked up and steady on the temps, humidity, and everything. The only thing we still have to do is get the amp out of the room the snakes will be in. I am also encouraging one of my kids to move to Portland so that his younger brother can have his room and the snakes can have their own room! Ya know, this hobby pretty much takes on a life of its own!!
So, yeah, the pet owner needs to educate themselves prior to purchase. IMO.