Is there something missing from the OP? I like the candid talk from developers and don't see any unwarranted disrespect to anyone. Also, $18 for a skin does not seem like a lot. It's within the range the biggest games do for the most coveted skins already, and is what has replaced loot boxes in most games that are getting rid of them.
The customer is not always right, and that doesn't conflict with a pro-consumer point of view at all.
The customer is not always right, and that doesn't conflict with a pro-consumer point of view at all.