What is the term for making an unplanned or quick purchase without proper thought?

Impulse buying refers specifically to the act of making unplanned or quick purchases without giving it adequate thought or consideration. This behavior often occurs in response to immediate emotional triggers or environmental stimuli, such as a sale sign or an appealing product display that draws attention. Impulse buyers may act on a whim, leading to purchases that they may not necessarily need or have budgeted for, often resulting in buyer's remorse afterward.

While other terms like compulsive buying and emotional spending involve more depth, such as psychological or emotional factors influencing spending patterns, impulse buying is characterized primarily by the lack of premeditation in the purchasing process. Spontaneous purchases might suggest a degree of intent or planning, even if the decision is made quickly, which sets it apart from impulse buying that is purely reactionary.