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Author Topic: Bad July sales  (Read 18088 times)

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« on: July 08, 2011, 00:55 »
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Hi everyone,

I'm contributing mainly on ShutterStock for 2 years now, and my current july sales are the worst ever. What's happening? I'm relatively new to the stock market, and i want you to ask your opinion: july is bad in general?
So bad that sales would drop to half?

Thanks for the answers.


lagereek

« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2011, 01:00 »
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So far, SS, in spite of Summer time, July is brillant! plenty of ELs, everything. In fact its the ONLY agency producing!  and if youre quite new to this, may I suggest some patience.

« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2011, 02:17 »
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There's only been 7 days in July.  There's also been a big US holiday.  It's never worth looking at your earnings until the end of the month.  July is slow for some but I don't usually see much of a summer slump.  December is the bad month for me.

Slovenian

« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2011, 02:32 »
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I had just 2 double digit sales days (instead of at least 4), so it shows. But yeah it was 4th of July and yanks do account for some sales (around a third in my case), they practically didn't buy anything from the 2nd to the 5th, so that's also partly the reason for lower sales. It's my first real summer, so I can't compare it to previous. So far the drop isn't that big, I had just over 100 DLs (20 or so short compared to the spring), but no ELs and fewer ODs, which really make the difference.

« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2011, 03:18 »
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It's my first July in shutter, so I can not compare, but I do not notice the drop. He started a little slow, but now it is fine. Patience.

Last year in general, was not bad in July (DT, IS, 123).

« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2011, 06:10 »
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I had just 2 double digit sales days (instead of at least 4), so it shows. But yeah it was 4th of July and yanks do account for some sales (around a third in my case), they practically didn't buy anything from the 2nd to the 5th, so that's also partly the reason for lower sales. It's my first real summer, so I can't compare it to previous. So far the drop isn't that big, I had just over 100 DLs (20 or so short compared to the spring), but no ELs and fewer ODs, which really make the difference.

you use to have 4 digits days? thats 1k in a day? or are you counting cents?? :P

Slovenian

« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2011, 06:19 »
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I had just 2 double digit sales days (instead of at least 4), so it shows. But yeah it was 4th of July and yanks do account for some sales (around a third in my case), they practically didn't buy anything from the 2nd to the 5th, so that's also partly the reason for lower sales. It's my first real summer, so I can't compare it to previous. So far the drop isn't that big, I had just over 100 DLs (20 or so short compared to the spring), but no ELs and fewer ODs, which really make the difference.

you use to have 4 digits days? thats 1k in a day? or are you counting cents?? :P

I'll start writing in portuguese as well from now on just so u'll understand;)

« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2011, 06:50 »
0
I had just 2 double digit sales days (instead of at least 4), so it shows. But yeah it was 4th of July and yanks do account for some sales (around a third in my case), they practically didn't buy anything from the 2nd to the 5th, so that's also partly the reason for lower sales. It's my first real summer, so I can't compare it to previous. So far the drop isn't that big, I had just over 100 DLs (20 or so short compared to the spring), but no ELs and fewer ODs, which really make the difference.

you use to have 4 digits days? thats 1k in a day? or are you counting cents?? :P

I'll start writing in portuguese as well from now on just so u'll understand;)

OH man I "lost" this one I was thinking of $$ not sales my bad :P but if you want please talk in portuguese  ;D

I am dumb dumb, you are saying you have days over 1000 sales?? (please speak in portuguese)

Slovenian

« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2011, 07:01 »
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I had just 2 double digit sales days (instead of at least 4), so it shows. But yeah it was 4th of July and yanks do account for some sales (around a third in my case), they practically didn't buy anything from the 2nd to the 5th, so that's also partly the reason for lower sales. It's my first real summer, so I can't compare it to previous. So far the drop isn't that big, I had just over 100 DLs (20 or so short compared to the spring), but no ELs and fewer ODs, which really make the difference.

you use to have 4 digits days? thats 1k in a day? or are you counting cents?? :P

I'll start writing in portuguese as well from now on just so u'll understand;)

OH man I "lost" this one I was thinking of $$ not sales my bad :P but if you want please talk in portuguese  ;D

I am dumb dumb, you are saying you have days over 1000 sales?? (please speak in portuguese)

So what now, you do understand or not? Because the first paragraph contradicts the second  :o

« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2011, 07:08 »
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man I better leave this post for my own mental sanity!

« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2011, 09:02 »
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My last summer was ok, but now it's preatty bad. The truth is that i didn't concerned about July 4 :(

Gosh, I think you ment 2 days with 2 digits instead of 4 days with 2 digits. Very confusing indeed :D

Thanks for your posts guys, I have a little more faith now :) Thanks again.

Slovenian

« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2011, 09:20 »
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Gosh, I think you ment 2 days with 2 digits instead of 4 days with 2 digits. Very confusing indeed :D

That's exactly what I meant. I know my English is far from being perfect, but I thought everyone would get me. I wonder if native speakers understood me ??? .

WarrenPrice

« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2011, 09:36 »
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Do you speak "Native?"   ;D

RacePhoto

« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2011, 12:59 »
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Gosh, I think you ment 2 days with 2 digits instead of 4 days with 2 digits. Very confusing indeed :D

That's exactly what I meant. I know my English is far from being perfect, but I thought everyone would get me. I wonder if native speakers understood me ??? .

And I thought you mean days with two sales instead of days with four sales. I'm not sure I actually understand what you meant, but I knew it wasn't 1000 sales a day.  ;D

As for the actual question, June was down from April and May, but July seems to be about average. I don't really worry about it that much because there's hardly a difference for mine all year long. Same six or so pictures sell over and over, the rest get a sale once a year or never.

tab62

« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2011, 13:20 »
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Eu acredito que ele diz 1.000 downloads por dia...

« Reply #15 on: July 08, 2011, 16:24 »
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I had just 2 double digit sales days (instead of at least 4), so it shows.
Maybe this means "Instead of 4 double digit sales days" ?

Slovenian

« Reply #16 on: July 08, 2011, 16:29 »
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I had just 2 double digit sales days (instead of at least 4), so it shows.
Maybe this means "Instead of 4 double digit sales days" ?

YES IT DOES!!!!  ;D


« Reply #17 on: July 08, 2011, 16:42 »
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I'm so smart!  ;D

« Reply #18 on: July 08, 2011, 17:30 »
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Eu acredito que ele diz 1.000 downloads por dia...

this is just one crazy topic where our friend Slovenian decide to play with us, I believe my English is a lot better than yours :)

p.s ele disse, e no diz! :)

OM

« Reply #19 on: July 08, 2011, 19:15 »
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I had just 2 double digit sales days (instead of at least 4), so it shows.
Maybe this means "Instead of 4 double digit sales days" ?

That's what I understood from the first time I read it!

« Reply #20 on: July 08, 2011, 19:17 »
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Not too bad for me.  I've made just under $200 in week one of July.  That's not too bad for a .38 cent subscription site.  Yea, I got some EL's too....that always helps ;)

Slovenian

« Reply #21 on: July 09, 2011, 04:11 »
0
I had just 2 double digit sales days (instead of at least 4), so it shows.
Maybe this means "Instead of 4 double digit sales days" ?

That's what I understood from the first time I read it!

Yes, again! I'm not crazy! :D

« Reply #22 on: July 09, 2011, 04:38 »
0
I had just 2 double digit sales days (instead of at least 4), so it shows. But yeah it was 4th of July and yanks do account for some sales (around a third in my case), they practically didn't buy anything from the 2nd to the 5th, so that's also partly the reason for lower sales. It's my first real summer, so I can't compare it to previous. So far the drop isn't that big, I had just over 100 DLs (20 or so short compared to the spring), but no ELs and fewer ODs, which really make the difference.

FWIW I read the first sentence to mean that you had 2 days with more than 10 downloads instead of your usual days of more than 4 downloads.

I guess the middle sentence puts it in to perspective, but when skimming I usually only read the first and last bits of a paragraph...

« Reply #23 on: July 09, 2011, 09:22 »
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 ???

Tempusfugit

« Reply #24 on: July 09, 2011, 12:29 »
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-
« Last Edit: July 20, 2011, 11:38 by Tempusfugit »

« Reply #25 on: July 10, 2011, 07:48 »
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my july sales appear to be on the weak side so far.  but im just rolling with it, as im thinking many business are slow in the peak summer months due to vacations.   

WarrenPrice

« Reply #26 on: July 10, 2011, 19:05 »
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Not in SS but in DT, very bad month of sales  :(

DT is one of my fav sites and june was pretty good but since July began, sales dropped dramatically

My sales at DT are already more than July 2010 ... My problem now is getting a submission accepted.   >:(


« Reply #27 on: July 10, 2011, 19:34 »
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The reality is that the whole * industry is changing.  So many factors enter into sales volume.  Here are a few and please feel free to add.

1. Flood of contributors
2. best match changes
3. Acquisitions
4. Wringing money from contributors to appease the [excessive] profiteer owners
5. Wringing money from buyers to appease the [excessive] profiteer owners

Shank_ali

    This user is banned.
« Reply #28 on: July 11, 2011, 01:08 »
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Hopely the 4th of July holidays are now over and this week we see a slight upturn in sales.....Just keep uploading !

« Reply #29 on: July 11, 2011, 04:06 »
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It appears slow this month, but as said previous - it is early days.
And it is summer - why not check with last year, it probably is very similar.

Slovenian

« Reply #30 on: July 11, 2011, 04:19 »
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It is getting slow, IS has almost come to a complete stop. Even DT might be better than IS this month and DT has always been pathetic in my case

« Reply #31 on: July 11, 2011, 06:16 »
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Also not SS but sales have almost completely dried up on iStock. Lucky to get 1 a day atm.

helix7

« Reply #32 on: July 11, 2011, 09:09 »
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Also not SS but sales have almost completely dried up on iStock. Lucky to get 1 a day atm.

For the first time pretty much ever, I couldn't do my weekly Monday morning cash-out at istock. I have $77 in my account this morning. I'm stunned.

To put it in perspective, I used to make $400-$500 per week at istock. I don't even mind disclosing these financial specifics publicly when it comes to istock now, since my earnings there are so out of sync with what's going on at other sites. It's just unreal.

Meanwhile June was a one of the best months I've had at SS in over 2 years. Earnings there are climbing steadily.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2011, 09:12 by helix7 »

« Reply #33 on: July 11, 2011, 09:20 »
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i honestly think there is something fishy going over at istock regarding downloads. too many people talking about drastic reduction of dls with myself included to be just competition. I think they wrote some code to the best match to maximise profit which means more exposure to lower tiered exclusives over higher percentage ones. The independants were already screwed from the get go imo.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2011, 12:20 by VB inc »

lagereek

« Reply #34 on: July 11, 2011, 09:59 »
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I agree completely, something just doesnt add up, too many are complaining of no sales during evening and night hours, the times they used to have the most, almost all good reports are from low cannister exclusives.

weird indeed.

« Reply #35 on: July 11, 2011, 10:47 »
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i honestly think there is something fishy going over at istock regarding downloads. too many people talking about drastic reduction of dls with myself included to be just competition. I think they wrote some code to the best match to maximise profit which means more exposure to lower tiered exclusives in favor of the higher percentage ones. The independants were already screwed from the get go imo.

Last week was down maybe 15 percent due to "summer" and the July 4th holiday, but today looks normal for July so far, at least in terms of $s.

michealo

« Reply #36 on: July 11, 2011, 10:53 »
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i honestly think there is something fishy going over at istock regarding downloads. too many people talking about drastic reduction of dls with myself included to be just competition. I think they wrote some code to the best match to maximise profit which means more exposure to lower tiered exclusives in favor of the higher percentage ones. The independants were already screwed from the get go imo.

Last week was down maybe 15 percent due to "summer" and the July 4th holiday, but today looks normal for July so far, at least in terms of $s.

Sean, I wonder though is that because you are a brand, where lots more people have bookmarked your username / collected your images in private light boxes?


CarlssonInc

« Reply #37 on: July 11, 2011, 10:58 »
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No it is bad, really bad at iStock. Last 3-4 weeks (excluding ELs) have been running at about 35-40% of normal weekly levels...this is more than just ebb and flow. Comparing data going back to 2005 show NO support whatsoever that this trend is normal or to be expected - it looks like a complete meltdown unfortunately.

« Reply #38 on: July 11, 2011, 12:03 »
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No it is bad, really bad at iStock. Last 3-4 weeks (excluding ELs) have been running at about 35-40% of normal weekly levels...this is more than just ebb and flow. Comparing data going back to 2005 show NO support whatsoever that this trend is normal or to be expected - it looks like a complete meltdown unfortunately.

Tell me about it. My weekday sales at Istock are running at almost exactly HALF what they were on the corresponding days in 2010.

My July revenue at Istock, as a percentage of overall earnings, is currently running at just 22% ... against 35.3% in 2010 ... and 39.5% in 2009. If it wasn't for a couple of chunky EL's the situation would be even worse.

What is going on?

« Reply #39 on: July 11, 2011, 12:20 »
0
What is going on?

Doesn't the "buyers bailing at iStock" thread relate?

Shank_ali

    This user is banned.
« Reply #40 on: July 11, 2011, 12:30 »
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Hopely the 4th of July holidays are now over and this week we see a slight upturn in sales.....Just keep uploading !
You were right again shank  ::) my sales on Istock today are looking awesome !

« Reply #41 on: July 11, 2011, 12:30 »
0
i honestly think there is something fishy going over at istock regarding downloads. too many people talking about drastic reduction of dls with myself included to be just competition. I think they wrote some code to the best match to maximise profit which means more exposure to lower tiered exclusives in favor of the higher percentage ones. The independants were already screwed from the get go imo.

Last week was down maybe 15 percent due to "summer" and the July 4th holiday, but today looks normal for July so far, at least in terms of $s.

Sean, your exceptional, so i ignore your posts since we in different realms =)

All kidding aside, my successful vector files which avged 30-50 dls a month went down to 15-25 dl a month from sometime in august of 2010 and never recovered. Could be due to buyers leaving and the extra competition but my downloads are 15-25% down from last year which seems like a lot.

« Reply #42 on: July 11, 2011, 13:08 »
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Sean, I wonder though is that because you are a brand, where lots more people have bookmarked your username / collected your images in private light boxes?

No idea.  The thought makes me all warm inside, tho :) .

lagereek

« Reply #43 on: July 11, 2011, 14:30 »
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Pretence!

Once there was a media-mogul, he did everything in his power to make his business go bad and bad to the point where staff, etc, just packed up and left, didnt even wait for bonuses, nothing.
There was however a sinister method behind his madness and actions. He wanted to amalgamate his overseas businesses into a new Corp but without all the hassles and troubles from thousands of staff and unions for that matter. Stating that everybodies life would be so much better in the new company.

He purposley made life misserable for just about everybody, in the end people around him couldnt stand him and his cronies, they left or didnt care.

Then when all was quiet and nobody really didnt care, he made his move. I guess its not too difficult to know what that company was called? I said was called because two years later he went bancrupt for billions and preceded to take his own life. Too many debts, bailiffs and lawsuits.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2011, 14:31 by lagereek »

lisafx

« Reply #44 on: July 11, 2011, 14:32 »
0
No it is bad, really bad at iStock. Last 3-4 weeks (excluding ELs) have been running at about 35-40% of normal weekly levels...this is more than just ebb and flow. Comparing data going back to 2005 show NO support whatsoever that this trend is normal or to be expected - it looks like a complete meltdown unfortunately.

Tell me about it. My weekday sales at Istock are running at almost exactly HALF what they were on the corresponding days in 2010.


Yes.  Same here.  Sales most of this year were 30-40% down on last year at Istock, and this month they are half that.  Every time I revise my expectations down, I have to halve them again.  Just unbelievably bad.  And overnight.  

This isn't just buyers bailing.  I think VB is closer to the truth with his theory about best match code put in place to maximize profits.  

Sean, I can easily see how you, Lise, and a few other super-star exclusives there would be exempt from getting screwed by the best match.  You guys are the only draw Istock has left.

lagereek

« Reply #45 on: July 11, 2011, 15:28 »
0
No it is bad, really bad at iStock. Last 3-4 weeks (excluding ELs) have been running at about 35-40% of normal weekly levels...this is more than just ebb and flow. Comparing data going back to 2005 show NO support whatsoever that this trend is normal or to be expected - it looks like a complete meltdown unfortunately.

Tell me about it. My weekday sales at Istock are running at almost exactly HALF what they were on the corresponding days in 2010.


Yes.  Same here.  Sales most of this year were 30-40% down on last year at Istock, and this month they are half that.  Every time I revise my expectations down, I have to halve them again.  Just unbelievably bad.  And overnight.  

This isn't just buyers bailing.  I think VB is closer to the truth with his theory about best match code put in place to maximize profits.  

Sean, I can easily see how you, Lise, and a few other super-star exclusives there would be exempt from getting screwed by the best match.  You guys are the only draw Istock has left.

Im absoloutely sure this present best match, is orchestrated, engineered in that manner. For what its worth, in the eyes of the Getty hierarchy, everyone including the superstars will be expendible.

OM

« Reply #46 on: July 11, 2011, 15:38 »
0
Cap'n Bob? Got a good funeral though.

Pretence!

Once there was a media-mogul, he did everything in his power to make his business go bad and bad to the point where staff, etc, just packed up and left, didnt even wait for bonuses, nothing.
There was however a sinister method behind his madness and actions. He wanted to amalgamate his overseas businesses into a new Corp but without all the hassles and troubles from thousands of staff and unions for that matter. Stating that everybodies life would be so much better in the new company.

He purposley made life misserable for just about everybody, in the end people around him couldnt stand him and his cronies, they left or didnt care.

Then when all was quiet and nobody really didnt care, he made his move. I guess its not too difficult to know what that company was called? I said was called because two years later he went bancrupt for billions and preceded to take his own life. Too many debts, bailiffs and lawsuits.


« Reply #47 on: July 11, 2011, 15:40 »
0
Other than a nice EL, my IS sales are staggeringly low this month. Sales for me there are sporadic and random enough that it could just be within the statistical norm, but for 1/3 of a month, they are 1/10 of what I was making per month last year. The EL throws everything off though, so I can't really say much at this point.

lagereek

« Reply #48 on: July 11, 2011, 15:50 »
0
Cap'n Bob? Got a good funeral though.

Pretence!

Once there was a media-mogul, he did everything in his power to make his business go bad and bad to the point where staff, etc, just packed up and left, didnt even wait for bonuses, nothing.
There was however a sinister method behind his madness and actions. He wanted to amalgamate his overseas businesses into a new Corp but without all the hassles and troubles from thousands of staff and unions for that matter. Stating that everybodies life would be so much better in the new company.

He purposley made life misserable for just about everybody, in the end people around him couldnt stand him and his cronies, they left or didnt care.

Then when all was quiet and nobody really didnt care, he made his move. I guess its not too difficult to know what that company was called? I said was called because two years later he went bancrupt for billions and preceded to take his own life. Too many debts, bailiffs and lawsuits.

Yep, he did.

« Reply #49 on: July 11, 2011, 16:19 »
0
Yes.  Same here.  Sales most of this year were 30-40% down on last year at Istock, and this month they are half that.  Every time I revise my expectations down, I have to halve them again.  Just unbelievably bad.  And overnight.  

This isn't just buyers bailing.  I think VB is closer to the truth with his theory about best match code put in place to maximize profits.  
I'm certain that a major change to the best match is responsible but I don't know if it is being orchestrated for profit as suggested. If it were then surely independent files, especially P+ images, would be promoted as they provide a higher level of profit for IS. On my 'standard test searches' the number of images I now have within the first 100 places is a fraction of what I had a few months ago. New files appear to be favoured much more than before over older images.

Shank_ali

    This user is banned.
« Reply #50 on: July 11, 2011, 16:34 »
0
Pretence!

Once there was a media-mogul, he did everything in his power to make his business go bad and bad to the point where staff, etc, just packed up and left, didnt even wait for bonuses, nothing.
There was however a sinister method behind his madness and actions. He wanted to amalgamate his overseas businesses into a new Corp but without all the hassles and troubles from thousands of staff and unions for that matter. Stating that everybodies life would be so much better in the new company.

He purposley made life misserable for just about everybody, in the end people around him couldnt stand him and his cronies, they left or didnt care.

Then when all was quiet and nobody really didnt care, he made his move. I guess its not too difficult to know what that company was called? I said was called because two years later he went bancrupt for billions and preceded to take his own life. Too many debts, bailiffs and lawsuits.

The boat he fell from was named after his daughter.I was once having a lovely lunch in Marmaris harbour/Turkey and the waiter pointing out to a beautiful yaght.Maxwell,maxwell's boat.It was as wide as a football pitch.I was impressed .


 

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