Sounds reasonable...

I'd buy a lot more skins if they were < 2 $

$9.95? Never ever, it's insane.

$4.95? Sometimes, if the skin is REALLY good.

And where did you get those demographics/volumes from?? Can you guarantee those 25/300/1000?? And how long it's going to add that?? When you really obtain that numbers or people,then you talk to authors regrading the price,or its naive simply made that up. 

to Gaspershooters.

THEORY - FANTASY - REALITY 

 The numbers are there to just show the possibilities, who said anyone guaranteed any results. Again with ALL Master skins, not all are equal. Some I have wanted to purchase at the going rate, other I wouldn't pay a dime for. The only way to know is if every Master Skinner picks one of his skins for sale at $1.75, all of the rest would stay the same price. My guess that master skin should theoretically outsell all of the others combined. Just a thought!! 

 Does anyone know the total numbers of members for Stardock, I certainly don't know. I can only imagine that there are quite a lot across the globe. If more members know there are certain Master skins available at a new rate, if they are WORTHY OF PURCHASING, sales should go up.

THEORY --- Master skinner says I've just created what I consider to be one of better fantastic skin. I'll try to sell it, let's say anywhere from $9.95 to $19.95 It's worth it.

FANTASY --- Master skinner says this skin is going to take off like hotcakes. I'm sure I'm going to see sales in the 100's if not 1000's with as many Users Windows Blinds has. The money will be pouring in.

REALITY --- NOT ONE SALE

 Besides you shouldn't be asking me where demographics, numbers, volumes, and sales, you should ask the master skinners what their volumes and sales are after weeks, months, and years on this website. They don't have to reveal anything. If they are satisfied with the effort vs. the reward, then nothing will change. It just depends if they want MONSTER sales, MODERATE sales, or NO sales. 

 I'm on the side of the Master Skinner, to see they get more money for their efforts. MORE VOLUME = MORE MONEY.

 One other suggestion would be to separate ALL Master skins from the free skins, to be able to find what you want faster. Going through pages and pages of skins is stupid and tedious. To say the site needs some streamlining is an understatement.

Those skins aren't ordinary skin.Respect the price.If you cant take it just leave it.buy some other master skin they are lots of them here in wincustomize..

All of presumptions which meant BS. Sorry being rude. 

But you're the one who made the calculations. 

Exactly,you don't have resources to negotiate and talk to but presumingly it will/should work the way you "suggested".   

Child,it has master skins filter in gallery already,just no filer out as one asked though. And I think it's understatement you want faster finding free skins but to pay you may like. 

Price formation n price policy is part of marketing. There are studies to be made to obtain information to pick a fitting price.

How? There several ways to do so, one could be paying attention to the competition, adjusting the price to the market or asking the end user for example what they would be willing to pay.

Unless you overshoot the price you will likely sell your product. 
As was mentioned before there is a chance with only a small risk, in advertising with a low price.
But since we are talking about "A" skin nobody will die or suffer from a “single” failed test, unlike a company with a program/software or product on a larger market.

It just seems worth testing in this situation, it is highly unlikely to end in a lower income but more likely it will “fail” with “only” a little more profit.
Surely this decision is entirely up to the developer designer skinner.

If you want to raise your price, finding the golden spot is the tricky part, having the right price where you earn enough money and where enough people are still interested in buying is key.

By lowering your price so that it is fair for almost everyone that is not living in a country where he/she must fight to survive your chances to success are big.

Trying to do so may end in increased sales, a lower price may even result in eliminating certain groups from transferring/sharing certain data, mostly if the price is reasonable and in relation to the platform/program pricing, people are more tempted to make a purchase, in this case it is also easier for some to obtain it rather quickly.
Unless he/she is a Pirate to the bone he will spend 99 cents before waiting for someone to upload it.

Take an APP for example that has a 1 year subscription like WhatsApp.
Nobody that isn’t fighting to survive actually cares about 99 cents. 
Why do you think most games have micro transactions rather than a full pricing to them?

So basically,you are comparing customized skins with Apps?? Test the water with lower price tags and sale will/should up?? Do you know any APP that Stardock is selling skins based on that?? Are you a skinner?? Have you ever sell any skins in here?? Do you know about the demographic users in here?? Did you know how many users pay master skins in here?? It seems you have just joined in this month,therefore I have to ask all of "irritant questions".

I can tell you what:people who tends to pirate,they always do regardless the temptation of low prices. 

 If I was a Skinner I would negotiate with Stardock over a percentage of the price and sell my skins at a level that would generate volume sales. If I was a Skinner with a collection of at least 10 or more Master skins, I might offer a 5 for $20.00 deal just to generate sales. The user picks the 5 they like the best,(in some grocery stores you can pick out a 6-pack of different brands of beer for one standard price) or their entire catalog of Master skins for $29.99, or 10 for $40.00 or BUY ONE, GET ONE SALE for say $6.95.

 There are many ways to market products, in the Skinners case, it is Artwork. Like I said if the Master Skinners are pleased with the Status Quo - nothing will change. If they see a different way of doing business.... well if you don't try you don't know what will happen.

And to Gaspershooters --- Man chill out, it sounds like your about to blow a blood vessel. It seems we're all adults here having an adult conversation, except for you. I haven't seen you come up with any ideas or numbers, I'm sure we're all waiting, holding our breath, to hear some of your marketing strategies. If you don't, you're not really contributing to the conversation to achieve positive results.

Well, said I would not comment any more, but evidently some clarification is needed. Stardock's take on sales averages to about 35%, which is very fair, there is no negotiating.

Skinners do not set the business parameters that govern the sales of skins, Stardock does. I believe that skinners can set the price they want their skins to sell for however Stardock takes a hefty percentage of that for the handling of that process. So far it seems that the suggestions offered would make that process more difficult.

It would seem that people sniveling about the original cost of $20 helped to reduce the price. I agree with those that mentioned that all the extras (xion, icons, cursor, etc.) should have been free and separated from the windowblind purchase. This was Andy's first masterblind, I'll assume that this whole process has been an eye opener for him.

ref: section 9 of the terms of service: https://www.wincustomize.com/terms-of-service I believe this to be the appropriate documentation regarding sales of product.

Thank you Lighstar, if you say it is fair which, I agree (it is their software that makes this all possible) then we will go from there.

These numbers are random projected sales - no research behind them just what if... trying to find the sweet spot.

$9.95 X 5 = $49.75 - 35% for Stardock gets $17.41 Skinner gets $32.44 (to the skinners who created these - so far how many have you sold - honestly???)

$4.95 x 25 = $123.75 - 35% for Stardock gets $43.31 Skinner gets $80.44  lowered price increased volume, more cash flow.

$1.75 x 300 = $525.00 - 35% for Stardock gets $183.75 Skinner gets $341.25 Again no stats on how many skins would be sold. Also this doesn't reflect what you could make in a day, but rather the lifetime of a Master skin that may have been here for a long time, but sales have dried up on the higher price.

$.99 x 500 = $495.00 - 35% Stardock gets $173.25 Skinner gets $321.75

$.99 x 1000 = $990.00 - 35% Stardock gets $346.50 Skinner gets $643.50

 Again the Master Skinners, and Stardock are locked into 35%. If you lowered your price to something in the middle, and Stardock lowered their % to say 33% .... give and take negotiations.

$2.75 x 400 = $1100.00 - 33% Stardock gets $363.00 Skinner gets $737.00 With middle ground price and possibly high sales projections (lifetime of the Skin not just 1 day) my guess is that Stardock and Skinners would rather work on this model rather than the $4.95 or $9.95 model. 

 Again, only the Master Skinners know what their sales have been in the past. I'm not a Marketing genius, but I definitely work with the possibility to increase my volume. Anything to put more money for my work is better than it sitting stagnate generating nothing. 10% of  something is better than 100%  of nothing.

The statement that a Pirate will be a Pirate forever is so basic and bios.

Instead of believing and faithfully repeating everything the weatherman said I suggest doing some research in the field or using your own brain, be creative open for both sides bringing in a little fantasy and establishing your own opinion about it.

It is more productive and essential to provide options or tips rather than to say no all the time and foot stomping and repeating something that you are told that isn’t working as promised it would, or something that is not appropriate to our time.

To get back to my position, the exception is a real to the bone pirate, while most of the time the others are the consumers that simply can’t afford it or think that a product is overpriced and would rather like testing it before. These people tend to buy for a low price, instead of waiting about two weeks until it gets uploaded onto a warez site or seeded on a torrent, and a skin for under a dollar could trigger exactly that.

While some may not like this way, because they are of the conviction that the price distinguishes the quality of the product.
A song for example has equal if not more work put into it while it sometimes sells even cheaper than only 99 cents and that with success. I say this because I saw that the comparison between skin and app triggered some bad feelings.

All I wanted was to proposal something that could potentially benefit both sides of the story, however it is not up to me to test it.

To answer the other questions quickly.
Yes this account is new.
No I have not sold skins, but I sell other things with success and my life is not as grey as you might think.

Do I know any App that Stardock is selling skins based on that. You mean the principle about selling skins? Stardock sold premium skins/Themes in the past.
Mostly on Apps like windowblinds Iconpackager or Mycolors.
I’m also aware that Stardock gets a certain fee for the sold skins, I already mentioned this in my previous text with the platform and that the price of the skin has to be in relation with the platform= windowblinds or iconpackager.
Have I ever sold any skins here? NO and I have no intend in doing so, but I already bought some skins if this helps.
Do I know how many users are paying for Master skins? I think we can shake hands on this one since you and me we both can’t know since even by knowing sales of WC we would be missing the sales generated on the personal Webpage of the skinner (btw dear Masters can you avoid the SD fee when selling the skin over a private page?)

This text or my previous text has nothing to do with the OP or the individuals others here refer to.
 

There really is no specific "sweet spot."  A lower price doesn't necessarily mean more sales, there's too many factors.

The quality and style of the skin.  Yes, Master skins are all high-quality overall, but not always appealing to everyone.

Amount of Master skins.  There's weeks where there are several new skins, and lets be honest, not everyone is going to buy all of them if they have limited finances to spend on these things.

And just to be clear, the split between Master skinners and Stardock is 70/30.  Also, skins cannot be sold for $0.99 here.  We have a minimum amount that they can be sold at for various reasons.

 Thanks for sharing info Island dog. I respectfully disagree with some of your assumptions. Too many factors - what could they possibly be?? Please enlighten us.

 The other view is true too, that lowering prices COULD increase sales, but you'll never know until you try. It never hurts to talk and test the waters before you jump.

 If all Master Skins are high quality then why are some given 4 to 4 1/2 stars instead of all 5 stars. Is that because of their overall appeal?

 There are a good library of Master Skins many very old and more new ones coming on the way. So you post them on the board for the going rates, with no incentives to buy, and they just sit there waiting for a buyer waiting, waiting, waiting...

 By incentives I mean a program like a society or a club where let's say you buy 9 Master Skins from say Lightstar, he in turn gives you the next one for free or half-price. We generate collections you both generate profits. (By the way PROFIT and INCENTIVES are not dirty words).

As for percentages, in my line of work, banks don't give a hill of beans for your percentages, or profits - all they care about is CASH FLOW. That's what I would concentrate my efforts on.

 As for the $0.99 anything can change at anytime. I've worked with plenty of people who've said "It can't be done - I won't do it  - I don't know how - I can't, I won't etc, etc, etc... I tend to stay clear of negativity in it's many forms. Yes, I'm an optimist who thinks of possibilities. So the minimum amount is what??? and are the reasons valid enough to hinder possible sales. 

Fees, processing, etc.

I've been monitoring the sales and price differences for years.  As I said, pricing isn't everything and lowering a price doesn't equal more sales in all cases.

Those are user ratings, and they will get low for several reasons.  One being competing master skinners rating them low, having their friends rate low, just people doing drive-by ratings.  

"One being competing master skinners rating them low"
Wow that is even more fucked than me creating a newbie account to express myself openly.

If it does not trouble you ID would you mind telling us the minimum price that could be set for a MS or would that be 4.99USD then?

I will throw my comment on this also. I know for fact that some people just look at the screen shot and if they don't like the style, color, etc. They low rate it. If they don't like you they low rate it.

Use the screen shot and if you like it and it's a free skin try it and them rate it. That is very seldom done as it's done as I stated above. One should not purchase or download a free skin because of the star rating. It's what your eyes see in the SS but it shouldn't be rated down because you don't like what you see. Just move on and let it go but that doesn't happen all the time. What I'm saying is if you don't like the cover of a book doesn't mean it isn't good. Also doesn't mean that free skins aren't good either. There are many very good ones available along with good Master skins.

"Wow that is even more fucked than me creating a newbie account to express myself openly."

lol, they both are. Are you saying that you give a rats ass about what people think of your opinion's to the point that you need to hide behind a fake account?

More to the point of the topic I think the way it is now works. If a MS is priced 3 times more than others I probably won't buy it unless it is a skin I really want. There is nothing wrong with that. There are many things I would like to have that I cannot afford and sometimes I buy them anyway because I want it. One of the skins people have been talking about I did not buy until the price was reduced and then I purchased it and I have no problem saying so. I don't understand what all the fuss is about.

Please,no name calling. I just cannot see where are these presumptions come from when you did not really know all of expenditures and endeavors both Stardock and Skinners made. It's nothing about the price,the usabilities of Stardock applications and demographics count which I did not question your price tags but the volume. As I mentioned,if you can guarantee the volume/quantity,then you talked with skinners about the price. Otherwise,its skinners and Stardock's choices.

I did not say "forever",its "always",please get that right. And it's a common sense,no need of little fantasy,creative parts of your own brain.

Nope,I meant an App on Android platform not software on Windows (of applications).

Buying and selling are different things,you know...............

Exactly,I don't know either. But I am not the one who said lowering the prices as App (on Adroid) will/should increase the sale. You don't have experiences to sell skins on App (on Android platform),no intention to sell skins in here,but suggestions with that proposal?? How convincible is that !!

 This will be my last entry on this subject as it seems the status quo will remain the same, and if the Master Skinners are happy I'm tickled pink.

Here is a figure that will blow your mind. I recently went on the Rocketdock website to see some of what was new. The original STACK DOCKLET was created in 2007 and is still one of the most popular downloads on that site. The person who created it offered it for free. BUT, if he had offered it for say even $0.25 he would have made  ---  $1,055,294  ----- as of today it has had 4,221,176 downloads and still counting.(for the disbelievers go to the rocketdock website and check it out for yourselves) TARGET PRICING IS EVERYTHING.

 I have a sister in the New York/New Jersey area who is an accomplished artist/painter. She has been featured in magazines, and galleries in New York. Some of her works command a hefty price tag. She has her own Studio where she teaches, and invites other featured artists as guest teachers. She doesn't make a living just off those ventures. She will do personal portraits or whatever the customer has in mind. The one thing that helps her income is she takes selected personal paintings and are offers them as prints at a reasonable reduced price. The original would be far too expensive plus it's only one painting - one payday. Residuals from prints supplement her income. So I know a little bit about starving artists, as she worked her ass off to get where she is today.

 As far as Neone6, and the other Master Skinners, I respect the work that goes into making a skin, as I have downloaded many skins since 2007. I choose my skins based on APPEARENCE and USABILITY, not *****.  EVERYONE says he has the right to set the price as he deems worthy no one is arguing that debate. But at the same time he should be able to sell it also at a LOWER price to make some real actual money. I've made no guarantees about projected sales in any way, just theories and some humble marketing skills. But I do guarantee one thing, that is if the prices were lowered, I know I would be making future purchase --- which right now is money you don't have.

 Gaspershooters says their work is being pirated. (I don't and never will do Torrents.) I went and did a little research on a few torrent sites and sure enough Windows Blinds and skins are on their boards. Only thing is the uploads are as far back as 7 years ago, absolutely nothing recent. I don't think you'll be seeing anymore uploads of Window Blinds again. You still have not contributed a solution just drama queen rants. And as far as name calling wasn't it YOU who responded referencing me as Child. Go pound sand.

 Island Dog says their are not enough Master Skins Purchasers. REALLY!! THAT'S THE STORY YOU WANT TO GO WITH??? Of course there not, not at the current prices they are now. Looking at data and making poor assumptions is one thing, doing a BETA testing on a new policy is something else.  What have you got to lose ---NOTHING!  But of course we CAN'T lower prices, because we WON'T, or we DON'T WANT TO. Island Dog answered or addressed a few questions, but not all of them. Why not make a comment on the other issues or ideas I brought up? We are all waiting.

 I had a young man work for me years ago, decent man, hard worker. His only flaw was he couldn't read.  I challenged him and called him a LOSER. He wasn't a loser because he couldn't read, he was a loser because he NEVER TRIED. That is how I define LOSERS, THOSE WHO NEVER TAKE THEIR BEST SHOT. Neone6 and Vampothika at least had the STONES to try something different. Bravo!!  (By the way--- that young man had a private tutor and did indeed learn to read. I wrote him and congratulated him on a job well done.

END OF LINE

 Speculations.....

Facts:

-My goal set for amount of units sold is already met.
-My goal for revenue on this suite is already met.
-My hope for positive critique on these skins are already met.

All I hoped for my first Release as a Masterskinner has already been achieved and it hasn't even been a month since upload.

You do the math.

A big thanks to all my supporters/fans.

neone6

Your sister's story is very compelling,I admired her accomplishment. But you seem kept insisting lower prices would have meant more sales based on theories/no guarantees.....................but only guaranteed with lower prices you,personally,would pay.

Rocketdock is a very old dock software and free which has been ceased no development at long time ago,therefore no active supports. And did you know any docklet charged in the past?? You seem like to propose somethings without solid statistics.

When I said usabilities is meant usage (the amount of Stardock applications,not functionality). Sorry the misnomer.

Not truth,I afraid. I think Stardock and Skinners knew that.

Child can be churlish/naive/innocent,you can perceive whatsoever,but I am not going to change that as I kept reading your theories/no guarantees.....

I think he did try to explain to you what are the issues but you kept proposing somethings out of the thin air.

I tell you what,if you are so insisting on testing,why don't you make your skin,put it on the sale or even better,persuade one of master skinners to do so. Later show the statistics,as long as numbers told,I think majority of skinners cannot resist the cash flow as you have proposed did work.

So other master skinners are suck when they insist on price tags they like?? Way to go........

Great idea. Make your own Windowblind and see how it goes at .99. 

Oh, sorry you can't do that as only Masters can upload for sale. 

Have to love these people that tell everyone else what they should do or better yet work when they can't do it their-self.

As far as the 5 for $20. That can't be done for several reasons. One would be there is a upload size limit and 5 skins would be way over the limit. Also if as you say the person wanting to buy could pick the 5 they want. That part is fine but now this is uploaded (which can't be done) How would anyone else no what 5 skins are included. Sure aren't going to do that on one screen shot and to show 5 of them is impossible. As far as the upload space limit. After all you may want that changed also but it is Stardock's site and bandwidth. There has to be a limit somewhere.

Good for you Andrew and very happy for you. Well earned and deserved.

I'll second that.