MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: 4Ever Young on February 14, 2013, 10:29

Title: Have the buyers deserted Istock too?
Post by: 4Ever Young on February 14, 2013, 10:29
Despite my disgust for their recent "business practices" I left my files active to try and reach a pay-out.  I'm beginning to wonder if that will ever happen as I haven't sold a file in over 10 days.  That's fine as my SS sales have really taken off in the same time frame.
I'm starting to think that maybe the publicity over Istink's attitude toward the contributors is starting to turn off some buyers as well.

If they'll screw over one group of business associates, they'll do it to another.     Karma...gotta love it!   ;)

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Admin edit for thread title. I understand the desire for humor or whatever but a certain level of professionalism needs to be present as well. At least from our side of the table.
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: dingles on February 14, 2013, 10:32
That is the big question. My sales of late have been non-existent even with a growing portfolio. Views haven't budged either...is it due to a broken system not tracking accurately, or have buyers moved on? Or both...
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: StanRohrer on February 14, 2013, 10:34
Mine have been very hot and cold. The massive tweaking of the best match may be to blame. Though there are other threads indicating possible sales reductions across the board.
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: tickstock on February 14, 2013, 10:35
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Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: ShadySue on February 14, 2013, 10:36
Despite my disgust for their recent "business practices" I left my files active to try and reach a pay-out.  I'm beginning to wonder if that will ever happen as I haven't sold a file in over 10 days.  That's fine as my SS sales have really taken off in the same time frame.
I'm starting to think that maybe the publicity over Istink's attitude toward the contributors is starting to turn off some buyers as well.

If they'll screw over one group of business associates, they'll do it to another.     Karma...gotta love it!   ;)

According to Lobo, you will get a payout even if you quit while under $100. Your problem is that they can keep selling your files on the PP for up to so many days (30?) after you quit, so you have to trust them to forward you any extra cash. But that 'trust' situation would be exactly the same if you quit after getting to $100.

I think I've read posts in the long threads saying that people had eventually got all their files removed from the PP, some automatically and some had to push a bit. And some said they got an extra little payment later, presumably late PP sales. Sorry, I don't have time to trawl these threads and find the posts.
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: 4Ever Young on February 14, 2013, 10:39
[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istank-photo-notice-for-file-kma/msg298758/?topicseen#new[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istank-photo-notice-for-file-kma/msg298758/?topicseen#new[/url])
 
Have you seen this thread where someone called them Istank and now you're calling them Istink.  Ha Brilliant!!


That was me, Tick.
I think the present tense better reflects my current feelings toward them.


Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: 4Ever Young on February 14, 2013, 10:50
Despite my disgust for their recent "business practices" I left my files active to try and reach a pay-out.  I'm beginning to wonder if that will ever happen as I haven't sold a file in over 10 days.  That's fine as my SS sales have really taken off in the same time frame.
I'm starting to think that maybe the publicity over Istink's attitude toward the contributors is starting to turn off some buyers as well.

If they'll screw over one group of business associates, they'll do it to another.     Karma...gotta love it!   ;)

According to Lobo, you will get a payout even if you quite while under $100. Your problem is that they can keep selling your files on the PP for up to so many days (30?) after you quit, so you have to trust them to forward you any extra cash. But that 'trust' situation would be exactly the same if you quit after getting to $100.

I think I've read posts in the long threads saying that people had eventually got all their files removed from the PP, some automatically and some had to push a bit. And some said they had to an extra little payment later, presumably late PP sales. Sorry, I don't have time to trawl these threads and find the posts.

Sue,
According to Lobo......Trust them.....
 ::)   ??? ::)   ??? ::)   ??? ::)  ???  ::)   ??? ::)

Actually, I may just leave the files alone and collect my measly few payouts a year.  Removing my pitiful little portfolio isn't going to hurt them in the least and will just cost me about $300 a year.  After all, I've already done all the tedious work of uploading them, it's no effort at all to collect a little extra cash.
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: JPSDK on February 14, 2013, 12:28
Im in the same situation.
I have deactivated my best sellers and my models, and I am on 90 dollars and close to a payout.
BUT I have been there for a while. I only sell one picture a week now. So Im waiting.
Same with Stock expert, there Im on 49,25.

And yes. The buyers have followed me to Shutterstock.
Thats good.
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: mlwinphoto on February 14, 2013, 12:50
That is the big question. My sales of late have been non-existent even with a growing portfolio. Views haven't budged either...is it due to a broken system not tracking accurately, or have buyers moved on? Or both...

I get the impression that iStock doesn't want to address the issue of declining sales due to loss of buyers; they certainly won't admit that could be a factor.  I'm sure they are happy we are/have been blaming the zoom tool, price slider, best match, etc. and will do their part to keep us focused on site issues as the root cause.  The longer it takes for them to get things sorted out the longer they can keep us in the dark as to what is really going on.
Wonder what the reaction will be when sales don't pick up once (and if) everything is 'fixed'.
My sales have completely tanked and my motivation along with them.....left hoping that some other opportunity presents itself, and soon.
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: Poncke on February 14, 2013, 12:55
[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istank-photo-notice-for-file-kma/msg298758/?topicseen#new[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istank-photo-notice-for-file-kma/msg298758/?topicseen#new[/url])
 
Have you seen this thread where someone called them Istank and now you're calling them Istink.  Ha Brilliant!!


That was me, Tick.
I think the present tense better reflects my current feelings toward them.
Owned !!! LOL
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: gbalex on February 14, 2013, 13:06
[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istank-photo-notice-for-file-kma/msg298758/?topicseen#new[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istank-photo-notice-for-file-kma/msg298758/?topicseen#new[/url])
 
Have you seen this thread where someone called them Istank and now you're calling them Istink.  Ha Brilliant!!


There are endless variation which have been put into use lateley. ISuck is one I hear often.
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: ShadySue on February 14, 2013, 13:38
There are endless variation which have been put into use lateley. ISuck is one I hear often.
Oh, there's an eejit over on alamy's forums who always talks about iSuck and ShutterSuck.
Means nothing - he knows nothing useful about either site.
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: tickstock on February 14, 2013, 13:41
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Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on February 14, 2013, 13:42
[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istank-photo-notice-for-file-kma/msg298758/?topicseen#new[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istank-photo-notice-for-file-kma/msg298758/?topicseen#new[/url])
 
Have you seen this thread where someone called them Istank and now you're calling them Istink.  Ha Brilliant!!


That was me, Tick.
I think the present tense better reflects my current feelings toward them.


And the personal pronoun?
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: w7lwi on February 14, 2013, 13:50
There are endless variation which have been put into use lateley. ISuck is one I hear often.
Oh, there's an eejit over on alamy's forums who always talks about iSuck and ShutterSuck.
Means nothing - he knows nothing useful about either site.

I think that's the same eejit who was banned here earlier this week.
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: Ploink on February 14, 2013, 13:50
[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istank-photo-notice-for-file-kma/msg298758/?topicseen#new[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istank-photo-notice-for-file-kma/msg298758/?topicseen#new[/url])
 
Have you seen this thread where someone called them Istank and now you're calling them Istink.  Ha Brilliant!!


That was me, Tick.
I think the present tense better reflects my current feelings toward them.


And the personal pronoun?

As in HeStinks, WeStink, TheyStink,...??? *at a loss here*
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istink too?
Post by: ShadySue on February 14, 2013, 13:51
There are endless variation which have been put into use lateley. ISuck is one I hear often.
Oh, there's an eejit over on alamy's forums who always talks about iSuck and ShutterSuck.
Means nothing - he knows nothing useful about either site.

I think that's the same eejit who was banned here earlier this week.
Him too, but I was talking about a different eejit.
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istock too?
Post by: Phil on February 14, 2013, 15:40
How many of their customers went to thinkstock? (even though it was going to be advertised to different market and a few weeks later encouraged istock customers to go there). How many of their buyers are also contributers who stopped buying with RC/other problems?
I see the requests for more marketing in their forums and have to wonder (in my pure ignorance :) ) about how many buyers, particularly significant buyers, are out there that have not heard of istock? For that matter it is hard to imagine many "new" customers for any of the stock sites.
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istock too?
Post by: Mars on February 14, 2013, 16:20
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Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istock too?
Post by: leaf on February 14, 2013, 17:03
A few posts were removed talking negatively about members on another forum.  It is not Ok to trash talk photographers on another forum, just as it is not ok to trash talk members on this board.... even if they don't like microstock :)
Title: Re: Have the buyers deserted Istock too?
Post by: Poncke on February 14, 2013, 17:41
Yes, you are right, apologies for that. Its easy to get carried away, but you are 100% right.