Your crazy if you pay $1000 for a skin.
Here are some resources im sure you can find a skin that works for your site.
Paid:
http://vbskinworks.com/
http://www.transversestyles.com/
http://exaltic.com/
http://www.vbstyles.com/
http://www.forummonkeys.com/
Free:
http://minerskinz.com/
http://vbskins.com/ (Paid and Free)
http://www.themesbydesign.net/
Im sure there is more out there. Just look around there is a skin or two out there for your site for sure.