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I dunno, if I buy something expensive I'll try to use it as much as possible since I want to get my gold's worth. That being said, it bugs the crap out of me when someone has an avatar and uses something expensive that sticks out like a sore thumb, when a cheaper alternative would work better (usually happens with eyes, for some reason. The Kanoko and Blessing eyes are prime examples but less so than they used to be). But whatever, it's their avatar so they can do whatever the hell they want. The only time it's a real annoyance is when it's in the arenas, like you said. Though in the original arenas it's a little different, sometimes you can still tell people got voted into the winners' circle because of their flashy items.

When it comes to cosplay, there are some items that I just can't live without. Like Rainy Day. I love that item, because it's the closest I'll get to a Persona 4 jacket for my Yu (and eventually Yosuke cosplays). There's also Dark Conductor for a Raidou Kuzunoha cosplay (I want a better wig/hair item).

In general though, nope. You don't need expensive items to make an awesome avatar. Hell, I've seen users use derp items to make a really good avatar with, and those are usually from sponsors, or whatever. The idea of having the most expensive item(s) to make a great avatar, is bogus. You don't need it. It's a want. A desire. A stipulation that was brought on by the community because they feel you need expensive items just to be recognized.

I buy what I like. Sadly, many things that I do like are in that expensive category. I do have some cheap items and a couple of them, I wear nearly daily.

I believe there are wonderful items for cheap and shitty items that are expensive. That's just how the dice falls, y'know?
That being said, while there are SOME people who can make cheap items rock, I... am not one of those people sweatdrop
But there are cheap items I just adore, like stockings. Any stockings. All stockings. There are expensive ones, yes, but... I like the cheaper ones better. It's so weird.

true to everything you said, but generally, the better quality of an item, the more expensive it will be as it has nice or desirable poses. so yes, expensive items can be replaced, but sometimes it's the best quality.

i love gold shop items, a lot of them are very cool and cheap. i own most GS items anyways, so some always find their way onto my avatars.

most sponsor items are based around the characters anyways, and i guess its considered cheating if you use naruto's hair for a naruto cosplay.

I don't buy the big ticket items to "have a good avatar." I buy them because they are relevant to my interest or tastes, or have poses I can legitimately use that aren't offered in cheaper alternatives. ******** value or looking rich, I'm for practicality and use. It can be in the millions or 50k, it doesn't change the fact that I want it for what it offers.

As for overrated items, really tired of the Sainte Ciel items. Aside from the hair cutting pose, they don't have that much use, and are horribly overpriced and milked by the Gaia administration. Also not fond of the Marionettes anymore, and I'll never understand the desire for the oily skin from Lusty.

On a side note, I can never build a complete outfit unless I use gold shop items. The cash shop and big ticket items don't have the answer to everything I need in an outfit.