Object Is Missing From Database and other annoyances

I've had tons of trouble with SL since this last update. (Or, I should say, more trouble than usual...) Other than various problems like huge lags, random crashes all the time, looking like Ruth so often I might as well call her my main AV, and currency issues to name a few, my worst new problem is my missing inventory. I feel like quitting SL. Why even bother spending *real* cash when your merchandise just disappears? Luckily, I don't think too much disappeared, and some that did I had copies of. It seems to me that whatever my AV was wearing after the update went bye bye? Anyway, if an object says it is missing from database, does that mean I should say goodbye, or does it ever re-appear? A friend says it once happened to her, but it came back within a few hours. This has been several days...

Happened to me today for the first time ever.

Crashed in a sim, but the avatar stayed over there for a little less than two hours. So i couldn't relog. Keep getting the message the system was still logging me out.

When i came back i wasn't wearing anything of the attachments i was during the crash. They are all still in my inventory, but can't wear them anymore. Object missing from database is the message now.
Some of the stuff is easy to replace, like the ao or the hug and kiss attachment. But all of my xcite stuff is gone too. That's about 1600 lindens.

Any chance i get it back or have to buy everything again?
What should i do?

Kitty.

Well Kitty, I have yet to hear back from tech support, from the message I left at their phone number, or from the bug report I filed. But I'm pretty sure that those items are completely gone.

Shockingly, a Linden actually replied to an IM...I had searched for Lindens and randomely IMd a few, hoping that one would get back. She said that the item was probably gone forever. What you're supposed to do is file a bug report and explain everything, but I don't know how long it takes for them to review those. I'd say if it's not back by now, it's gone.

What I suggest you do is figure out exactly what is missing from your inventory, and IM the creators. If these were recent purchases, they will see you on their purchase history list and will likely replace the item. And even if you purchased it a while ago, it's still worth it- one guy was nice enough to replace something I got about a year ago. A large amount of sellers are nice, and will understand. So far I've gotten everything back except 1 or 2 things, as the sellers chose to ignore my IM.

One thing I've found to be useful, by the way, is to keep the packaged box of an item after unpacking. This actually saved me too. Some items are moved from the package into your inventory, and thus are useless, but a lot actually retain a copy of the product in the box. So I was upset when I thought I lost 1200 L on a recent weapon I bought, but luckily I had retained the package, and just unpacked a new one. Good luck!

It all comes down to Good PR I think. Sellers know that there are problems currently and one or two "given away for free" items, even if the person who recieves them did just scam the creator, is advertising. If the person never owned the product tells people about it, those people are likely to go out and buy the item.
Heck, I've given out some of my creations for free to people who didn't have the money to buy them. What do I get? An extatic "Thank you!" and another potential mouth to spread the word.

I have also been known to buy a friend's first avatar and not ask for repayment.

Update from my side.

Haven't heard a thing from Linden yet, why doesn't this surprise me?
Had IM contact with the shop owners where the lost items came from. The one where my lost boots came from (sorry forgot the name) was online and replaced the boots at once. The XCite employees weren't online, but came online after about an hour.

They asked me to make a notecard with the missing items and return the objects that didn't work anymore. I did that, made the notecard and dropped it together with all of my xcite stuff into his inventory.
Got everything replaced within 2 minutes. That's what I call service.

Good luck with your stuff.

Kitty.

I didn't even bother..
At least one of the items that is "missing from database" is a special occasion gift. Even if I do get a vendor replacement, it won't be able to repair the sentimental damage. and loss.

It may well seem like a trivial issue, but it still leaves me feeling rather despondent.
The passion and enthusiasm with which I initially started visiting SL with, is waning by the day. I practically continue to return only to satisfy my curiosity as to "what next?".