And any Ferrari should be the same price as a VW.

The reasoning is not logical as no comparison is justifiable.

All commercial 'artwork' pricing is a product of time/effort/creativity-compensation divided by its market/sale count.

A one-off [unique] product would command a high price...a limited edition somewhat less...and a mass-market product less again.

It is not the place of a Master skinner to justify his/her pricing policy.  The choice of whether it is purchased at whatever price listed is entirely that of the consumer.

Complaining [lack of] affordability is pointless, and if nothing else simply denigrates the Masters' work.

Is it Comedy Hour on WinCustomize? Does it cost extra?

I really like the comedy in this topic...lol...haha..hehe...     

It seems to me PixelPunk is entitled to his opinions.  No need to mock him/her.

While I agree that a price of $20 was a little high, I think that both Master's lowering their price to $9.95 was a smart move. They both offer extras with their skin that justify the new price, but maybe a couple of bucks cheaper would bring then more sales. Complaining of a price of $9.95 is ridiculous though as Stardock charges that price already (actually $9.99) for Premium Skins on their site. Likes some have said, if you don't like the skin or the price, don't buy it. Posts of this nature are becoming ridiculous, about as ridiculous as saying Master's should charge $.99 for their work. I know the amount of work that goes into creating a Master Skin, and it's worth a LOT more than 99 cents.

Could someone please lock this thread, this is a moot issue that has already been discussed on WC many times over. Thanks.

People are entitled to their opinions.  There's no need for it to be locked unless it turns into a mess, which it hasn't.

If any skin is priced higher than will sell, the skinners will most likley lower prices.  It's as simple as that.  If they don't and you don't like the price there are many lower priced skins and free ones here for download.  

Quoting HawkPunk7,

reply 12

The price of Neon6's first Master Skin was originally $20 dollars.  This is pure Hubris.  I ask you, LightStar...Why are you being a front-man for this

debacle?  Your asking for this Thead to be Locked is akin to Censorship and an affront to this community. ???

Not a front man, just tired of hearing people complain about Master Skin prices. While I agree that $20 was high, it is still each individuals decision whether or not to buy. There is no need for complaining about prices as this subject has been discussed in the past and finally the thread dies out. Enough said, I will not be posting in this thread again. Hopefully it will die out soon also.

I for one thing the work gone into the new skins worth the price, just got to wait until the first of the month to purchase them.   Just hope some one is willing to make Winstep themes as I bought the Ultimate package. Just love it! Guess I'll just have to learn how to skin myself. Keep up the good work you guys, you're the reason I'm here.

I already mentioned my opinion once about the prices and was slaughtered, so i keep away from repeating myself and only say this, check older skins out many of these are similar to Master skins others actual had been Masters and are now available for free and there are plenty of them to choose from.

A good example "Encoded by Pixelpirate" a very fine looking skin totally free even has Animations made in 2007, or check Dani´s work “danioc”.
"2of3" also does Masterskins you will find some Masterpieces on his personal page aswell.
If that is not enough just search the gallery for Most downloads and you´ll find enough high quality skins.

I miss Xiandi´s skinning.

I think if a "Master" is upset with the gain, it is only right for them to choose a higher price.
No doubt it is.
And i understand that some need the money that is earned by selling it.
This morning i came across this topic and i think the pricing that was going on here has to do with it seems silly to me though. 
https://forums.wincustomize.com/457893/page/3/#replies

Reply 51-52
That is after i suggested a price like 99cents.

I stand to my point and by doing so i don’t mean to be disrespectful, however if you fire 2 skins a week and never tried to lower your price to actually test the math behind it how can you be sure that it is unrealistic?
In the End there is no harm done by testing it once.
The other thing I swallowed up that time was if your skin “sucks” the black downloads will likely not exist.

Im out of this Kindergarden 

Are you trying to provoke or somethings??  You stand on your points,skinners make their decisions,then "kindly" lowered prices,so what's wrong and sensitive about ??  

At under $5.95 Skins are impulsive, unnoticeable purchases.  Does it need to be said; most people don't need Windowblinds or Skins to work and or use their computer.  Raise the price, any rational mind with limited income has to reevaluate, not only 'the' price, but the accumulated price for all skin purchases over a year.  At that juncture, it wouldn't surprise me if the money goes elsewhere. 

Currently, I have about 30 skins, of which five cost no more than $5.95.  For kicks, I change them about every 3-5 days.  But, if the price goes any higher, given what they are to my day, I will no longer buy.  Even if that means I settle on what's free or opt back for what Windows provides.  Volume should be the name of skin game... However, if someone hopes to make an actual living off selling skins, good luck with that.

 If they work hard on a skin, the master skinner is looking to get paid, but not all master skins are equal. I personally have not bought a master skin yet (I'm on disability so they are not in my budget.) I have seen many free skins IMHO that are far better than many a master skin. Even the Master skinner would say they have at least 2 or 3 that they know are better than the other 10 they have produced. I have also seen where some older Master skins that we're no longer priced, but were being offered for free.

 That being said  if the price was reasonable I probably would purchase some of what I CONSIDER the best ones out their. After all we are talking Eye-Candy. For my money Object Dock is far more functional, and important to my desktop than any of the other programs. 

 I am a Chef by trade,(retired.) VOLUME of SALES is the name of the game, not OVERALL PRICE. If you've never lowered the price on some of the Master skins then how would you know if they would really sell or not. Yes I understand everyone has to have their cut on the final sale. But again NEGOTIATING over the pricing and who gets what everybody should win.  I don't know what kind of sales the Master skins generate, but if you really want to get paid increase your volume of sales. These figures have already been pointed out to  you, but you need to think of the bottom line.

  $9.95 x 5 = $49.75 (can't really see anyone paying that much, no matter how much the skinner's ego says "this is better than the light bulb" (by the way just bought 2 LED light bulbs for $11.95, we'll see if they last the 10 years they are advertised as.) It's not about ego it's about the "Benjamin's."

 $4.95 x 25 = $123.75 Simple business plan, lower price = higher volume of sales.

 $1.75 x 300 = $525.00 For those looking for a cut isn't it better to do business with $525.00 than $123.75 I consider this to be the best reasonable price where everyone wins others may consider another dollar amount

 $.99 x 1000 = $990.00  How many of you could use that money right now.

 Here is the REAL BOTTOM LINE ---- 10% of something is better than 0% of nothing

WIN, WIN, WIN for the Master Skinner, the Consumer, and for Stardock.