Well I'm going to state my opinion even though it's usually frowned upon.
I think it's true, not as many people will be dropping their Knuffel for free, but I do think some still will because there are a lot of caring users on here that like to help other users out. You can tell that much just from the charities available and the awesome items they give away, that's not including all the individual gifts given to users in private and so forth.
However, I also think that yes this will cause people, maybe a lot, to sell their Knuffel for more. I know, in all honesty, when I saw the prices for the older Knuffel my thought was how much I can get for selling my Knuffel, which I have been doing and will continue to do so, and how much MORE I can ask for them now.
For example, I sold a Gen 1 light for 60k recently. Now that I see how many FCs Firn is asking for a Gen 1 Light my first thought was 'Wow I could have asked a lot more if I had just waited until after this feature came out.' Because I see it as Firn has just put a price on Knuffel. I know she doesn't want/intend for that to happen, but as a Knuffel seller that's the first thing that came to mind for me personally.
As for this being some money hungry thing, I disagree. I know most people know how I feel about Firn personally, but as a member of the site since '08, though not very active anymore, I enjoy the site and feel a need to defend it. This isn't becoming like Gaia. Yes, the prices are large on some of the Knuffel, but I think it's a fair price. They aren't trying to get profit from this, they're trying to make the site servive. They have been in the red for well over a year, close to two if I remember correctly, and if that continues KofK will close down. They're simply trying to earn enough to keep the site going. If they make more than they need for this month, then great, they will put the extra money towards next month's payments. They aren't like Gaia trying to get you to buy them new cars and what not, so just relax.
This was hard for Firn to do, and people don't seem to be understanding that. She started Knuffel on Gaia and then created this website based on Knuffel, the avatars came as a side note basically. For her to do this and treat her Knuffel like items wasn't an easy thing for her, so this shows how bad they need donations.
Now, as I said I think the prices are fair, high, but fair. There are a certain number of Knuffel released and as the site has grown with users, that number has gone up to accommodate it. Firn had no intention of ever releasing more of the Knuffel once they were sold out because they're like a collectible item (sorry for calling them an item Firn) if you miss out, then you miss out and have to rely on other users to get the item. Since a lot people came here from Gaia think of it like this: You know the Halo on Gaia? The first donation item and how rare it is, think of that as Gen 1 Knuffels. Wouldn't you just LOVE a Halo, but it's damn impossible to get? That's the same as the Knuffel only Firn has actually gone against her own wants and cares and made it possible that you can get that Halo (in this case Knuffel) again. It's not going to be easy, and it shouldn't be. I have never wanted this feature to come out, because at one point I was a Knuffel collector and I was so proud that I had every single Knuffel released because I knew I worked hard for them then and was happy to show that. Once Firn started dropping Knuffel I gave up because my collection didn't seem as special anymore so I started selling them. Now, since this dreaded (by me) feature came out, I'm actually proud of the collection I once had, again, because I see how highly Firn values those Knuffel and understands they're rare, something that is supposed to be special, and you need to work hard to get.
So just stop complaining and be happy that you have a chance at all to get these Knuffel again. She listened to the users, she made them available again, so she didn't make it as easy as you wanted, so what? Do a little work and get the Knuffel. Over time, you'll get your money back from them via digging and leveling up. Might take time, but you'll make it back eventually.
Another thing that has crossed my mind is when people sell their Knuffel now, yeah the price might be up some, but hey most people will take items and FP instead of just FCs. So I don't think FC inflation will go up much. At first, yeah, probably, but it will come back down like it always does.
Anyway. That's my thoughts. Sorry for the novel. Been reading this thread and couldn't stay hushed anymore.
Edit: Knuffel don't sell out as fast you people are implying (I don't mean everyone that's posted here so sorry if I happen to offend) You don't need to donate all the money at once if you can't afford to.
If you already donate, then just donate another extra $5 or so a month. Get an extra 2 FC a month and set them aside for the Knuffel you want. Do it every month and slowly build up to getting the Knuffel you want.
If you can't justify spending 15FC on one Knuffel then fine, don't. No one is forcing you to. Try and find other ways to get the Knuffel, look to users for help still. Users love getting FCs in trades too so KofK would still be getting the donation help.