Quoted from Extraballz:Seems likes a perfectly fine thread to express my disappointment in Stern. When Stern was the only one making pins Gary had the bright idea he would just cost cut and at the same time raise prices to improve profits. Not a very nice thing to do to your loyal customers IMO. So now there is other companies to compete for sales and Stern is just continuing on with the same strategy? That’s arrogant man. And why would I want the company currently making the lowest quality pins to make my dream themes. Anyone but them right now.
The change you're complaining about happened in 2008/9 when Stern was on its deathbed and they brought on investors. Gary is now basically a figurehead, but I'm pretty sure the investors are the ones driving the cost reduction at all costs and retail price increases, because it started in earnest when they came in. It's mentioned in this article, I'm sure more are out there:
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150315/business/150319262/