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Author Topic: Depositphotos pays 3% to contributors on 5-image "subscription"  (Read 56074 times)

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« on: June 27, 2014, 16:14 »
+35

It came up in this thread that Depositphotos has a "subscription" option for 5 images per month for $49.



This is a disturbing offering because it is comparable to products from other companies like Shutterstock's 5-image On-Demand pack for the same price but with a far lower royalty paid. Shutterstock pays out a percentage of the sale price received, while Depositphotos pays out a subscription royalty.

So each image in that 5-image "subscription" costs $9.80. Paying out a subscription royalty to the contributor ($0.30 up to $0.35), that works out to a 3.0-3.5% royalty paid. Whereas Shutterstock pays $1.88-$2.85 per image on a 5-image pack.

It looks like DP is trying to get away with paying out subscription royalties on small-quantity image packs by just calling them "subscriptions" instead.

Anyone know when this purchasing option became available? I hate to admit it but I have no idea how long this option has been there.

I'm suspending uploads to DP unless this is changed. Could be worth considering dropping them altogether between this and the other nonsense they've been up to lately (partner/API deals).


« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2014, 16:34 »
+29
I had already deactivated all images prior to this... I don't know why people are still there.

stock-will-eat-itself

« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2014, 17:43 »
+22
Amazingly there is no contributor backlash against DP, people are sleep walking into a dangerous precedent with this.

If artists are willing to accept 3% royalties with DP what message does this send to the other agencies?

If this kind of blatant profit grabbing spreads there will be no stock business for artists, full or part time in the near future.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2014, 17:48 »
+2
Amazingly there is no contributor backlash against DP, people are sleep walking into a dangerous precedent with this.

If artists are willing to accept 3% royalties with DP what message does this send to the other agencies?

If this kind of blatant profit grabbing spreads there will be no stock business for artists, full or part time in the near future.

I'm bamboozled there's so little response.
Maybe not many people are with DP?  OTOH, it's middle tier in the stats.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2014, 18:37 »
+18
I'm not with them, but now I certainly plan to avoid them.

« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2014, 18:44 »
+4
This company was crooked from the start. I resisted signing up with them for a long time, despite everyone raving about them. Really wish I had stuck with my initial stance on them.

I don't blame anyone, I made my own decision. But it's not one that I'm happy about today.

« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2014, 19:34 »
+2
How do you know these pay out like that?

stock-will-eat-itself

« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2014, 19:42 »
+2
They're selling a 5 image per month subscription for $49 - $9.80 per image.
All royalties paid under subscription rates 30c - 35c, your effective royalty 3%.

If SS renamed their image packs subscriptions and paid subs rates there would be a s&^t storm, but everyone seems cool with DP, god knows why.
« Last Edit: June 27, 2014, 19:46 by stock-will-eat-itself »

« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2014, 19:52 »
+1
How do you know these pay out like that?

In the other thread about this someone quoted an email from them in which they tell it's true

« Reply #9 on: June 27, 2014, 20:09 »
+6
How do you know these pay out like that?


I asked them.



« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2014, 20:35 »
+3
That reads like the answer of a person who doesn't really understand the question.

« Reply #11 on: June 27, 2014, 20:51 »
0
That reads like the answer of a person who doesn't really understand the question.

True. I've got an email out to them as well, we'll see how they respond to the question there.

Valo

« Reply #12 on: June 28, 2014, 00:35 »
0
...

Oopsie, wrong spot  :)

stock-will-eat-itself

« Reply #13 on: June 28, 2014, 02:33 »
+1



You've asked them about the 1 month 5 per day plan, the 1 month 5 per month plan is the worst scenario.

I'll shoot them an email as well.

« Reply #14 on: June 28, 2014, 03:19 »
+16
Hi all,

after about one year of reading this forum I decided to register me. Ive >12000 images on DP and will disable them if there is some action against DP. What do you think about a message to TRUSTe that the contributors cant delete their images and / or that their subscription is scam (from contributors view)? I think it would be a first sign if they will contact DP in this matter. Here is the TRUSTe feedback form: https://feedback-form.truste.com/watchdog/request?url=www.depositphotos.com [nofollow]

Its not very much but if they lose their TRUSTe certificate it would be a first step and if they will not change their point of view maybe we need a D-Day, too!

« Reply #15 on: June 28, 2014, 03:23 »
+11
What is the dollar Photo Club of Fotolia compared with the 3% of deposit? It's a shame and here we should set a clear sign! Deposit has in my eyes great chances to win the "Most Unethical Agency" award :o

« Reply #16 on: June 28, 2014, 03:44 »
+5
How do you know these pay out like that?

I posted this in the other thread about this issue:

My question:
"Please tell me do I get $0.31 per sale if a customer buys Monthly Subscription Plan and pays $49 for 5 images = $9.80 per Image?"

DP answer:
"Yes, you receive $0.31 per subscription sale, regardless subscription type. You receive your fixed commissions even though one image by subscription plan is $0.16. You can see that we offer various subscription plans, starting at $0.15 per image."

« Reply #17 on: June 28, 2014, 07:35 »
-1
Again, it reads like they don't understand the question.

stock-will-eat-itself

« Reply #18 on: June 28, 2014, 08:08 »
+8
Or they are dodging the answer.

« Reply #19 on: June 28, 2014, 08:15 »
+10
I am in for a 2800 image deactivation on whatever day we choose.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #20 on: June 28, 2014, 08:29 »
+10
Again, it reads like they don't understand the question.

I don't know. It sounds like they understand the question perfectly, answer it ("yes, regardless of subscription type") and then try to spin it in the best light by pointing out that you earn that amount even if a file sells for sixteen cents. Which might happen once in a while, but clearly the average sub sale must bring in much more or they'd drop regular sub sales because they'd be losing money.

« Reply #21 on: June 28, 2014, 08:29 »
+8
Hi all,

after about one year of reading this forum I decided to register me. Ive >12000 images on DP and will disable them if there is some action against DP. What do you think about a message to TRUSTe that the contributors cant delete their images and / or that their subscription is scam (from contributors view)? I think it would be a first sign if they will contact DP in this matter. Here is the TRUSTe feedback form: https://feedback-form.truste.com/watchdog/request?url=www.depositphotos.com

Its not very much but if they lose their TRUSTe certificate it would be a first step and if they will not change their point of view maybe we need a D-Day, too!

good idea i think. We should have a task list for D-Day candidates. Somthing like that:

1. call of contributors to write the agency with timely response
2. Embed third parties like TRUSTe / national supervisory authorities, etc.
3. draw attention in social media web blogs etc.
4. d-day exclaim.
5. make the agency in the google search results invisible with targeted adsense clicks.
6. inform the buyer and make the situation carefully and give them fair alternative agencies.
7. thinking about a jointly funded suit

organization is all... ;D

« Last Edit: June 28, 2014, 08:36 by R2D2 »

« Reply #22 on: June 28, 2014, 08:33 »
0
delete

« Reply #23 on: June 28, 2014, 10:39 »
+3
Again, it reads like they don't understand the question.

Hmm, the questions are extremely clear. And so are the answers. I cant see any ambiguity here.

Deposit photo has a notorious history of being shady. Fotolia actually looks like an "angel" next to it.

« Reply #24 on: June 28, 2014, 10:48 »
+1
No, the answers read like they saw the word 'subscription' and a number, so said yes and put a link to an FAQ.


 

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