@patio11, I think the scorn for virtual item sales was not always just one of condescension. Rather, the idea was born from a certain economic understanding. If the belief was that virtual item sales would be a fraction of subscriptions, but that virtual sales could upset gameplay and unbalance games, harming the play experience and undermining the community, they were to be eschewed. At least, that was an argument that I would see a lot.
Maybe you're not a gamer, so that makes it harder to imagine. But games like Farmville aren't on the same level as something like Ultima Online. It's like comparing a fast food chain to an authentic French restaurant. Nobody will blame the restaurant that they're using a different model.
In terms of gameplay this means your toon has better weapons and perks giving your character an artificial advantage.
By buying these goods for real money you get rid of the advantage, but 'hardcore' players, otherwise known as students and schoolkids, traditionally considered this cheating.
That's not preserving game balance, there's no skill there.