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Author Topic: Closing Account @ Albumo  (Read 23791 times)

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« on: April 10, 2008, 14:39 »
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I have twice requested to close my account in the past few weeks but with no response.

Anybody else taking the same route and with similar experience?


« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2008, 15:18 »
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Others have commented that there has been no response to these requests so I have been taking the "1 per day" route.   Albumo is the first site I've dropped.  Thank God I didn't upload much - I think I sent over 100 initially but only pushed about 35 through,  the unfinished ones could be deleted right away.  I have 18 more to go. 

I first deleted the most commercial ones, and then the people shots with the most views and then the rest.

Wouldn't it suck huge if I got some big sale that ALMOST hit payout in the next 18 days and they got to keep the cash?

« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2008, 17:36 »
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I closed mine successfully in Feb with only one email via their contact form. THe ever replied, but I just tried the login in the days following the request, and on the third day I was locked out. THen did some searches where I know only images of mine woud turn up (some unique subkjects) and they were gone as well.

Maybe they are PO'd because there is possibly a mass exodus going on.

They shouldn't be doing any b%tching about people leaving - after all they were a total failure in marketing the site. There was some web activity in Nov 2007 with some link placements here and there on the web, but after that it all stopped.

I was there since very late Sept 2007. 300 images, fifty cents in sales - a photo of cookies. Heck I ain't no Yuri, but I'm not exactly the bottom of the food chain either. I try to look at it more as an education rather than a giant waste of time - sometimes that works and sometimes that doesn't!

« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2008, 23:10 »
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I`m giving Albumo one more month...
No use really.


« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2008, 05:04 »
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I have been trying to leave them but they won't let me - correction,  they will let me but they will retain my images for 400 days - I do not remember seeing this when I joined them and it contradicts other terms on their site anyway.

I have posted in their blog to this effect but they ignore it.

I am removing one a day as well, I did start changing the titles to links to the same image on other sites but that did not work.  However changing the title to abcd etc does stick but takes ages if you have a lot.

« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2008, 09:16 »
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This is the reason why I do not join sites that are not established and not backed by huge corporations that are proven.  I still haven't joined Snapvillage because they don't have FTP that I can see.

I make enough money between SS, IS, DT, FT, BS that I don't need to waste time looking for pennies at third-rate websites. 

LO is joining that, the fact they lowered the payout to $25 is really nice though, so now I may get a payout a year (only had one payout ever at $115)

Stick to what works, the effort it takes to track all these sites isn't worth it 90% of the time.

« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2008, 10:12 »
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I have 2 sales since they start. And for a moment i think that was a good idea upload there. But since October that i dont have one single download, i have 282 images and vectors,  33$ and 0 activity.  :-[
« Last Edit: April 11, 2008, 10:13 by pauloresende »

« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2008, 10:25 »
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I'm also removing my images one at a time.  I have nearly 300 so it's going to take awhile.  I have a "sticky note" on my computer monitor to remind me to login everyday and delete one.  What a pain in the a**!

jsnover

« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2008, 11:07 »
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I did my main upload to Albumo in July last year, but updated them with a batch of about 60 images in December. It dawned on me that I could speed my exit from this lame duck by using my one per day to get rid of the December uploads while the bulk of the portfolio ages out.

Doesn't it make you wonder if this pay-for-the-pictures and then do no marketing at all might have been their strategy all along? If they get to keep lots of earnings because very few get enough to cash out it might still turn a profit for them during the 400 days the images have to hang around.

If anyone reading this is thinking about uploading to Albumo, don't do it!

« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2008, 13:27 »
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Still no response from them - so I too must start removing 1 per day.
I' glad I didn't upload very many.

PaulieWalnuts

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« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2008, 18:20 »
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I submitted about 50 images back in August as a test. Zero sales. Deleted one at a time and I'm now at zero as of a couple days ago.

I plan to evaluate any new sites before joining. They had better have something impressive to show about attracting buyers otherwise I'm not bothering with it.

It's a crowded market and any new sites without a marketing plan are going to have a rough time.
« Last Edit: April 21, 2008, 18:22 by PaulieWalnuts »

« Reply #11 on: May 08, 2008, 12:46 »
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I`ve send them about 20 e-mails to close down my account...Still nothing has been done yet!
Its been weeks and my images are still there!
 >:( >:( >:(

I`m extremely frustrated with Albumo.

« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2008, 14:35 »
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That's the way it is Velvia -  and you wont be hearing from them.

All you can do is log in and delete your images one by one - one per day!

« Reply #13 on: May 08, 2008, 17:27 »
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Looking at the lack of sales, there is a chance that the site will close before we can delete much of our portfolios.

DanP68

« Reply #14 on: May 08, 2008, 18:10 »
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I started deleting mine today.  Just 65 more to go.   ::)

I think Jo Ann's theory is not only right about Albumo, but also about a lot of these tiny sites with no advertising.  They bring contributors in knowing they will never have enough sales to make it to payout, then they milk a few sales from each of them while never spending a dime on advertising.  Then the contributors get frustrated and quit, and the agency keeps 100% of the commission.  It's a scam.




PaulieWalnuts

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« Reply #15 on: May 08, 2008, 21:36 »
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I wonder how many people will ever be able to cash out any of the uploading money they paid.

« Reply #16 on: May 08, 2008, 22:23 »
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That's the way it is Velvia -  and you wont be hearing from them.

All you can do is log in and delete your images one by one - one per day!


Wow!
Are you serious!


« Reply #17 on: May 08, 2008, 22:34 »
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That's the way it is Velvia -  and you wont be hearing from them.

All you can do is log in and delete your images one by one - one per day!


Wow!
Are you serious!



Better get moving!

Seriously, I feel bad for you. I was lucky and as I think I mentioned before they closed mine in a few days (back in Feb). There may be fear there of the mass exodus. For them to not even answer you at all though, what a bunch of losers. Good luck to you.

« Reply #18 on: May 08, 2008, 22:43 »
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That's the way it is Velvia -  and you wont be hearing from them.

All you can do is log in and delete your images one by one - one per day!


Wow!
Are you serious!



Better get moving!

Seriously, I feel bad for you. I was lucky and as I think I mentioned before they closed mine in a few days (back in Feb). There may be fear there of the mass exodus. For them to not even answer you at all though, what a bunch of losers. Good luck to you.

What is their problems. I`m only asking for them to delete my portfolio.
There is nothing complicated in that!

 >:(

« Reply #19 on: May 08, 2008, 22:48 »
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Like I said, they may have had many requests lately and may just be putting the blinfolds and earplugs on.  When you start to ave a mass exodus, there is a tendencey to want to stop it. Their solution - just ignore the problem.

What started out as a small ball of fire is now a faint fizzle.

Anyone who can, get your money and run.

DanP68

« Reply #20 on: May 09, 2008, 00:26 »
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There may be fear there of the mass exodus. For them to not even answer you at all though, what a bunch of losers.


Also notice that they no longer post here.  I guess they cannot spin zero sales and zero advertising any longer.

« Reply #21 on: July 10, 2008, 06:42 »
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I'm still removing my images one per day. What a pain! I asked 3 times to delete my account - no response from Albumo team.

jsnover

« Reply #22 on: July 10, 2008, 09:16 »
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Ditto. I've asked and been ignored. I've also been changing titles and descriptions on the most viewed images to say please don't buy here. So far no response.

Yesterday I took some images and changed their keywords to woman beach family business office, etc. Total spam but I hope that might be another irritant that will get them to close my account and delete all my images.

Meanwhile I keep up the one a day.

They never did any of the things they said they would do to market the site. What a bunch of tossers.

« Reply #23 on: July 10, 2008, 10:05 »
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Yesterday I took some images and changed their keywords to woman beach family business office, etc. Total spam but I hope that might be another irritant that will get them to close my account and delete all my images.
Good idea. I'll change my keywords to sex teenager ... Maybe some will close not only my account but whole site ;)

« Reply #24 on: July 10, 2008, 16:28 »
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After reading some of your experiences at this site, I decided to start removing my images as well using the "one a day" allowance you've all mentioned.

How exactly do you delete an image there?  I spent a bit of time trying to figure out how to do it and then finally decided to ask the people here who have already figured it out.....

jsnover

« Reply #25 on: July 10, 2008, 16:54 »
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Log in and click on the Sell section. (You might have to click on My Albumo first; don't recall)

Then select Porfolio & Statistics tab, then, from the list of images, on the far right is a column of icons that say "edit". I sort the list by Date first so that I can work from the newest (the rest will age out soon, but no sense in being on this site one second longer than I have to).

« Reply #26 on: July 10, 2008, 18:21 »
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Thanks for the instructions on how to delete......much appreciated.

« Reply #27 on: July 11, 2008, 07:48 »
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Thanks to this thread I had remember that I wanted to close my account and I had to delete my images but...
I cant login into my account!!!! YES
I look for my images and there isnt!!!

I think I told them to close my account several times with no answer but the last time I said that If they dont listen it is not my problem and I do not give permission to this site to sell my images anymore.

 ;D ;D ;D

jsnover

« Reply #28 on: July 11, 2008, 09:10 »
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I'll have to try that avenue too, as I was sad to note that i can still log in this morning...

« Reply #29 on: July 11, 2008, 10:40 »
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I`m extremely pissed off with Albumo!!!
I have written about 40 e-mails for them to close my account!

Don`t know what else to do at this point??
Its very annoying  >:( >:( >:( >:(

« Reply #30 on: July 11, 2008, 12:00 »
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Velvia, I had same experience.

Had to delete all images manually.
When they wanted submitters all was fine - when you want to leave they don't want to know you!
« Last Edit: July 11, 2008, 12:04 by takestock »

PaulieWalnuts

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« Reply #31 on: July 12, 2008, 08:20 »
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Does anyone read the agreements before joining?

jsnover

« Reply #32 on: July 12, 2008, 10:48 »
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Does anyone read the agreements before joining?

Don't be insulting. Of course I read the agreements before signing them. However there were a bunch of things they were saying about what they were going to do with the site and the marketing that were inducements to sign that agreement.

Not only have they done nothing of the things they said, my current belief is that they never intended to and that this was a scam to get images locked in for a while and pocket the sales as they only rarely have anyone make payout.

I did get paid for the upload of a good chunk of my porfolio, but for none of the uploads after that or the few sales I've made as I'll never reach payout.

It was a serious mistake to take what these guys said at face value, but I did. I asked them (via e-mail) some questions before signing, but I did sign.

Like other people who've made deals with folks who aren't on the level, I want out, and at this point I'm trying pretty much any avenue to get there.

My commitment ages out in a month or so anyway, but I don't want my work on display in their store. They should be ashamed of themselves, but unfortunately, they have no shame.

« Reply #33 on: July 12, 2008, 12:40 »
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@Jsnover

Do I understand you right, you took the cash for uploading and now you want to leave before the minimum time you have agreed to leave your images on line? SY

« Reply #34 on: July 12, 2008, 12:50 »
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I can't see how this site was a money making scam because they paid out lots of money for us to upload and it must cost money to get the site setup and keep it running.  It doesn't look like they are going to make much of that back any time soon.

Perhaps they spent too much money getting the site going and as the economic situation changed, they can no longer get funds to market the site?

PaulieWalnuts

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« Reply #35 on: July 12, 2008, 14:53 »
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Does anyone read the agreements before joining?

Don't be insulting. Of course I read the agreements before signing them. However there were a bunch of things they were saying about what they were going to do with the site and the marketing that were inducements to sign that agreement.

Not only have they done nothing of the things they said, my current belief is that they never intended to and that this was a scam to get images locked in for a while and pocket the sales as they only rarely have anyone make payout.

I did get paid for the upload of a good chunk of my porfolio, but for none of the uploads after that or the few sales I've made as I'll never reach payout.

It was a serious mistake to take what these guys said at face value, but I did. I asked them (via e-mail) some questions before signing, but I did sign.

Like other people who've made deals with folks who aren't on the level, I want out, and at this point I'm trying pretty much any avenue to get there.

My commitment ages out in a month or so anyway, but I don't want my work on display in their store. They should be ashamed of themselves, but unfortunately, they have no shame.

I'm not being insulting. I'm asking a legitimate question.

And your response brings up another good question. If you do actually read the agreement, understand it, agree to it, but later want out of it because it didn't work out as you had hoped, what should happen?

« Reply #36 on: July 12, 2008, 15:55 »
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I recall a posting here from the owner of Lucky Oliver (sorry, I forget his name) that tried to warn everyone about albumo.  His words were something like 'before you join an agency make sure you trust the management'.  He clearly knew something about the owners of albumo but couldn't or wouldn't be more specific at the time.


jsnover

« Reply #37 on: July 12, 2008, 17:28 »
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If you do actually read the agreement, understand it, agree to it, but later want out of it because it didn't work out as you had hoped, what should happen?

This isn't about things not working out as I had hoped. It's about the people who were on the other side of the agreement failing to do any of the things they said they would (marketing budget and programs for the site that would kick in when they got to 200K images online, which they did ages ago).

The world should be a place where honest people can make deals and trust that their business partners will live up to their word. It isn't - at least not all/most/some of the time.

Asking them nicely got nowhere. Unfortunately they haven't gone belly up and closed the site. So I hope I can make them want to let me out one month early - they get to keep the balance on my account  - because they'd rather have me gone.

PaulieWalnuts

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« Reply #38 on: July 12, 2008, 18:09 »
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Jsnover, I'm not trying to raz you here but I don't think it showed anywhere in the agreement that as part of you signing up they were going to do any marketing. Does anyone really know what the source of that marketing promise was?

I don't like the way Albumo works but I signed the agreement (without taking it seriously) and when I decided I didn't like the way they were doing business my only option was to delete an image a day until gone, which I did. I'm more selective now that I've been at this for a little while.

Yes the world should be a place where honest people can make deals. Until then, we'll continue to have written agreements that put at least one party at a disadvantage.


jsnover

« Reply #39 on: July 12, 2008, 19:09 »
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Does anyone really know what the source of that marketing promise was?


Yes. They had it on the front of the site in July 2007. I also have e-mail from them from 7/22/07 where they repeated it along with promises of "a massive advertisement campaign"

Don't forget that one of the co-founders posted in here once back in March

http://www.microstockgroup.com/index.php/topic,3818.0.html

More blah, blah about spending tons on promotion.

There's no point in flogging a dead horse. You don't like people complaining about getting scammed into a rotten deal. I'm not disputing the basic facts - I signed their agreement; their promises were not contained in the agreement.

How about you let those of us trying to get out from under this wretched site compare notes and stop trying to get us to admit our obvious gullibility in having signed up in the first place. I'll happily stipulate that I made a stupid decision. I shouldn't have trusted these clowns.

You say you're not trying to raz me, but then why are you even bothering to ask questions such as "Does anyone read the agreements before joining"? Seems the likely choices are to lecture or to raz.

digiology

« Reply #40 on: July 12, 2008, 21:03 »
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.
« Last Edit: July 13, 2008, 00:16 by digiology »


 

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