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Kulture: Virtual Fashion Boutique Owners Unhappy with Online Shelf life

Jill Fitzpatrick, owner of “Threads,” a popular store for virtual bathing suits and other swimwear along Linden Street, one of the most prestigious in the video game Second Life, is upset. Some of her customers have been behaving rudely. “They show up when I’m not here and pile up the stufff that theyve decided they don’t want anymore. They can’t get at the merchandise, of course, but they can dump the stuff they don’t want in the way and make it hard for my other customers to access their merchandise.” “That,” says Fitzpatrick with a big sigh, “is what I’ve been going through.” ” It’s not as wonderful as everybody thinks, being a designer in Second Life. Fitzpatrick despite the rude returns stands by her product, blaming her customers for having unrealistic expectations and even the fashion world itself: “Of course I guarantee every garment I sell forever, something no shop owner in the real world would do. but I can’t control the whims of online fashion. People just dont appreciate the shelf-life on these items.” Fitzpatrick is considering warning labels and signed agreements to prevent the furor from her customers. It is either that or hire a private security guard to make sure nobody shows up a takes a virtual shit on my virtual store front.”