Sure, gils are a means to an end though... A goal, if you will.
... ... ...
Are we really going to argue over what pay to win means? Can't we agree this is, in short, really bad practice? How can you justify the advantage a player has in the market so long as they pay an -extra- fee?
One thing is having an advantage via in-game mechanics, ie by playing the game. The other is getting advantages by doing things outside the game, in this case PAYING for it. Can you not see the issue here?