Buying in-game pets with real money is not fun. I earn enough money in real life that I could afford the pets, but isn't in-game property given value when it is a reflection of gaming talent, teamwork, commitment, time invested, or just flat-out luck rather than the ability to open your wallet? What do you think when you see another gamer in Stormwind or Orgrimmar showing off their Lil' XT versus someone with a Phoenix Hatchling?

There was a time when you paid for the game and its subscription and PLAYED for any and all in-game rewards. It's not about the absolute dollar value: How valuable would the Frostbrood mount be if you bought it with Washingtons instead of teamwork and commitment? Or a Mammoth bought with Lincolns instead of Gold?

Buying in-game property with real dollars is very, very close to buying gold: It just happens to already be allocated to a specific in-game purchase. It's an ethical tightrope with which I have never been comfortable, for charity or not, and I wish Blizzard would back away from the practice.