Why is it sad? It is their money to spend as they wish. Ever go see a movie in the theater? How much does it cost? $10? for a virtual item? You can not take it home with you, you can not touch it, you can not watch it again, so, again, why is it sad/bad or whatever to buy a virtual item with which you can play with every single day if you so desire?
All I am asking here is that you put it in perspective - you, and I, and everyone else, pays for "virtual" items every single day. Every time you go to the movies, rent a video or buy an iTunes song, every time your cable and internet bill gets paid, every time you pay to do anything which you can not "hold it in your hand" you are paying for something "virtual" - concerts, movies, baseball games, plop a quarter into a video game. Heck, Dave and Busters has made a killing at selling "virtual" items - a night at D&B can run you a hundred bucks or more! So... when does everyone start saying that people who go to Dave and Busters are "sad" or that people who go to movies are "sad"? Perspective is a wonderful thing.