Ah, did the same thing today. While i could have bought another pipe, I decided that 500g of St. James flake and 4 tins of Erinmore (3 100g mix and 1 flake) would be a better purchase for the time being!
Unless you are in serious need of a pipe, buying tobacco is the way to go. Tobacco costs will only go up and pipes will always be available, its the tobacco I worry about.