we're spending the treasure, oh no, no, that love cannot afford

Out of the blue, this accusation:

[14:46] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [store name] copies all dresses that were already there and changes them minimally ... not very creatively

Couple things here. First, and most important, as I and others refer to her in the chat, her display name actually starts with an N, not an M. But second, not every designer uses 100% original mesh and textures 100% of the time. Let me repeat that, because it's vaguely important: NOT EVERY DESIGNER USES 100% ORIGINAL MESH AND TEXTURES 100% OF THE TIME. That's so common to fashion it's not even worth commentary, whether we're on the grid or out beyond the screen, because it really does happen everywhere--and if you think Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, Karl Lagerfeld or Oscar de la Renta never reused a pattern, then I just don't know what to tell you, because they did. Everyone does.

[14:46] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I am very disappointed

Just for reference to any readers who are in store groups in-world: NEVER do this. I'm serious. If you have a complaint about the clothings/airships/guns/avatar pieces/whatever that a certain designer has made, send a notecard to THEM, or to a store representative. If you have a complaint about a chat moderator IN that group, send a notecard to THEM, or to a store represen tative. NEVER complain in public. Unless you're a complete idiot, as Ms. N seems determined to be.

[14:46] exxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: dont buy them then
[14:46] Axxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wxxxxxxxx: wow
[14:46] Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: do they have legacy fit too?
[14:47] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: there is nothing new
[14:47] BX Ox: [Nxxx] can you create yourself?

And that's another point. If you really think that all a given designer is doing is buying the same twelve templates and just recoloring them--and, believe me, I've been to shopping events that do feel that way--then get one of their demos, dig into the separate parts of it, find out who actually made that template, GO BUY IT FROM THAT SHOP and then do it youself. But again, it serves nothing and no one to complain in any group's chat.

[14:47] Mxxxxx Bxxxxx: dont like them dont buy them easy
[14:47] Mxxxxx Bxxxxx: wishes chat would work
[14:48] exxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx:: so why are u disappointed , sorry i am not understanding the point of ur posting

Yeah, that was my question, because it was about here I tuned in and started reading back.

[14:48] ixxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [BX], having a skill in it, or having an opinion is unrelated.
[14:48] Txxxxxxx Zxxxxxx: Silly troll.
[14:48] Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hello?
[14:48] pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i can make a mean azz box, o͜°
[14:48] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: because [store name] creates nothing new
[14:48] Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: can i have somoens attention?
[14:48] BX Ox: butyou can stay nice in their group.
[14:48] Emilly Orr: Why. Are. You. Posting. That. Here?
[14:48] exxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx:: lol [kxxxxx]
[14:48] Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: please?
[14:48] Jxxxx Cxxxxx: Yes they have Legacy outfits as well [Kxxx]
[14:48] ixxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i am in general disappointed in most stores, noone makes new.60 different style of jeans is no better than altering a few dresses at times.

And then Ms. M chimed in, but we were mostly focused on Ms. N at the moment, and largely ignored her.

[14:48] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: me?
[14:48] Mxxxxx Bxxxxx: easy dont like it dont buy it dont bitch or if you have a gripe speak to the designer
[14:48] exxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx:: i am sure shes got it
[14:49] Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yaay
[14:49] Emilly Orr: Yes, you, [Nxxx].
[14:49] Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thanks [jxxxx]
[14:49] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: its true, i like to be sincere and its a good point
[14:49] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i think the same of candy doll too per example
[14:49] Emilly Orr: This gets back to the designer--and it likely will, from someone--you'll be kicked from the group. So unless this is your final suicidal flounce before quitting, I don't get why you're saying that.
[14:49] Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: everyone sees thhings differently
[14:49] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and not to talk of this store ,but in general, im tired to see always the same in the events.
[14:49] Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no need to argue
[14:50] ixxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I much rather candy doll than the two top names in female clothes.

I have my problems with certain designers, too. My top two problematic ones, though, are because one was a grifter who tried to steal from a company I was working for at the time, and the other because she banned me over a very silly issue. My solution? I don't shop there. Now, if anyone recommends I should go for whatever reason, I will tell that person why I don't shop at these two stores, but largely, that is where it stops.

[14:50] Jxxxx Cxxxxx: It is because the pressure of events. Consumers expect new stuff at almost any event and dont shop ar mainstores anymore. So creators have little time to actually create and keep up with demand.

And this is an excellent, excellent point. A lot of designers on the grid have realized that if they want to stay in business at all, they have to keep their output up. So yes, a lot of their offerings for these sale days feel very similar to other offerings they've shown in the sale. Thing is, don't concentrate on what's the same. Look for what catches your eye, what's innovative, check the store while you're there and see what else they make. Maybe they don't have a dress you want for L$25, L$35, L$55, whatever, but maybe there's something on the wall you like. Make a mental note, because sometimes--I'd say easily a third of the time--designers toss up something that's a recolor of an upscale item, or an older item they're fairly sure they've gleaned the profit from. A keen eye and a quick finger on teleport can get you those items.

[14:50] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: well thats about tastes [Mxxxxxxx], i like them too but they repeat a lot, and they dont do demos with colors to try

There are two ways most people handle demos, and it's standard, and I doubt this is ever going to change: first, the shape demo. These are the ones with "DEMO" printing on them, usually, in some neutral shade, or even black and white. This is just so we can see if our bodies actually fit into the dress. There is nothing wrong with this. The other standard is the five-minute demo. Long enough to try on, look at all angles, walk, run, sit down, lay down, see how it works in motion. (We can also do this with the standard demo style, but strangely most people don't.) There is also nothing wrong with this. Absolutely NO ONE on the grid is going to give you a free, fully textured dress as a demo, unless it says that on the package. Even the 'wearable demos' I sell on the Marketplace aren't freebies; I'm still selling them, just for a vastly reduced fee, and they're still in less vibrant color sets.

[14:50] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: lets keep the chat to [store name]'s please girls
[14:50] Mxxxxx Bxxxxx: I agree [Jxxxx]
[14:50] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: exactle [Jxxxx]
[14:51] Jxxxx Cxxxxx: I love shopping at mainstores but maybe i am old school
[14:51] lxxxxxxxxxx Gxxxx: many buy the templates and alter colour , texture etc so there are many versions of the same dress at one time
[14:51] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: simple rules no slander or chat of clothes other than [store name]

And, I grant you, I've only been in this group since I found out they were doing an Advent calendar, and joined for that. The reason I wasn't looking at them as a store potential in the first place was they weren't working in mesh, and with a mesh body that's on me, oh, 99.2% of the time currently? I need mesh templates that fit.

But she's making mesh items now, so I stayed in after December.

[14:51] Mxxxxx Bxxxxx: I like [store name]s textures to be honest
[14:51] Emilly Orr: Thank you, [Bxxxxxx].
[14:51] Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: kissy kissy everyone
[14:51] Emilly Orr: Now, what about slandering [store name]?
[14:52] Xxxxxx Qxxx: Thank you [Bxxxxxx]
[14:52] Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: im off to the store
[14:52] Mxxxxx Bxxxxx: thanks [Bxxxxxx]
[14:53] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: yvw all ... any more bad talk against [store name]'s creations then there is only one way out of it usually
[14:53] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i love [store name] textures too..its just they release things and i look and i keep waiting for "another thing"
[14:53] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: we like a friendly chat here :)) and most of the customers appreciate our service
[14:54] Emilly Orr: We do.
[14:54] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: we see the dress from 2018 with an bow more
and wowwww
and its sell us as a brandnew dress

I was pretty convinced at this point that Ms. N didn't have a single brain cell in her head.

[14:54] Mxxxxx Bxxxxx: its one of the groups I actually have the chat on
[14:54] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: [nxxx] if you dont like you dont buy
[14:54] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: simple
[14:54] Emilly Orr: Oh my gods, [Nxxx], you're still talking. You should stop that.
[14:54] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: if [Nxxx] could say it nicely, it would be a nice suggestion
[14:54] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i realy spend a lot of money at [store name]
[14:55] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but ..
[14:55] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: there is no more good stuff

Then move on, you colossal knuckle-dragging troglodyte, but do not complain in the store group.

[14:55] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: we do not force you to buy something that is similar
[14:55] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no innovation

SHUT. UP.

[14:55] Emilly Orr: If you want a certain style, you could always...I don't know, SEND THE DESIGNER A NOTECARD??
[14:56] Mxxxxx Bxxxxx: well thats easy design your own stuff
[14:56] Emilly Orr: Or that.
[14:56] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hy do you cry emily?

This managed to bypass my typonese translator completely, I didn't catch "hy" as any word I was familiar with. Now, it's obvious, and I feel silly for not catching it as "why", but at the time it flew under my radar. (Also, I didn't catch "cry" as her term for "yelling at her".)

[14:56] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: why not send suggestions here [store web site suggestion form]

And that was the first time I'd heard that this store had an online suggestion form to fill out, that the designer would read. That is genius, it really is.

[14:56] Emilly Orr: Cry?
[14:56] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hehe
[14:56] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: WRITE IN BIG LETTERS

Because you weren't listening to rationality, so I figured screaming at you might pound the suggestion in to your teensy little brain?

[14:57] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: [nxxx] you really are not helping your case
[14:57] Emilly Orr: Well, I was trying to make a point, but I guess you're not perceptive.

See? Who says I can't be diplomatic? (Well. Lots of people. And they're right. But I was trying, here.)

[14:57] Mxxxxx Bxxxxx: Well she had her 5 minutes of fame bored with her now bye girls
[14:57] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: if you continue to be rude you will be removed
[14:57] mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: at the end of the day we are all human real life makes being on sl hard even harder for the designers
[14:57] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Why not just boot the troll?
[14:57] Emilly Orr: Listen to [Bxxxxxx], [Nxxx].
[14:58] Sxxxx Nxxxxx: [nxxx], could i recomend that you fill in the Feedback card, and let the creator know youe weise words rather than elightneing the group with the beacon of your displeasure!. Thank you

Cue twitching. "Weise" I could let go, but the absolute butchering of "enlightening" got me.

[14:58] [Store group's representative account]: Hello ladies, dear [Nxxx], I contacted you directly and asked you politely to submit ideas on our let us form, Thank you [Bxxxx], as all of you girls can give ideas on new releases. None of the products were reused as [Nxxx] is trying to say. We did make a pencil dress before, but there is not style of pencil dresses. Please don't shade our brand. Thank you for understanding

And this just makes me want to stroll through their entire store and look at everything, because again, she is absolutely right. If she makes a pencil dress, even if she's not using, say, the Meli Imako pencil skirt template, or the Anni's template, or White Canvas' template, it's still a pencil skirt. There's not a ton of variation. The cut itself is self-limiting, because the pencil skirt is generally a mid-length retro skirt that's cut very close to the body. It can have ruffles; it can have a kick back; it can have side slits; but the base will always be a close-cut skirt.

[14:58] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: ty [kxxxxxxxx]
[14:59] Xxxxxx Qxxx: Thank you [Kxxxxxxxx] and thank you for making beautiful items.
[14:59] [Store group's representative account]: I am not [Kxxxxxxxx], just her little helper
[15:00] Xxxxxx Qxxx: lol
[15:00] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: we do understand that not everything is to everyones liking but thats what makes us all different :)
[15:00] Gxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Kxxxxxxxx your cloths are beautiful I look forward to all your new releases!
[15:00] [Store group's representative account]: since you girls are being so sweet in group chat, let me make a little giveaway!

And while this is by no means necessary, it was a really nice touch to help the loyal group members.

[15:01] [Store group's representative account]: Who can tell me the name of our latest release?
[15:01] Mxxx Oxxxxxx: [Rxxxxx]
[15:01] [Store group's representative account]: yay!
[15:01] [Store group's representative account]: correct
[15:01] Bxxxx Oxxxxx: well done
[15:01] Mxxx Oxxxxxx:
[15:01] Dxxxxxxxx Wxxxxx: Only issue that I do have with some designers is that mesh bodies are around for a while and they still manage to create items that are clipping with the body and hardly to mask. No issues with that with [Kxxxxxxxx]s
[15:01] Gxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yay! wtg [Mxxx]

And life went on.

Honestly, some peoples' kids.