pancakes

MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: Closing account  (Read 24245 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

« on: March 13, 2017, 06:37 »
+29
Hi , Long time lurker here . I finally decided to pull the plug on iStock/Getty . I have been a member since 2010 and up to the acquisiton sales were really good . I decided to stop uploading and it was a freefall ever since . The ESP fiasco was the last drop for me . There's still money coming in but I really feel disgusted dealing with these people . The delays , the '90s interface , lack of detailed stats is beyond a joke now . I'm done , I just want out . The problem is I already sent 2 messages  to them and none has been answered yet .
The first message was about deactivating my entire portfolio but keeping my account/username just in case . The second one , 10 days later , was a formal ticket for closing my account . A week later both tickets are open and still no answer .

Why everything is a struggle with that agency ? What are my choices besides waiting ? My english is not good enough for a phone call and I'm afraid I won't be able to keep my cool speaking to them


« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2017, 06:50 »
+4
It took them about a month and 2 or 3 emails from me to get them to close my account. They aren't going to jump right on it, that is for sure. It doesnt work any better than anything else on their site. They have managed to get tens of thousands of people to support management in a good lifestyle...why would they be anxious to ruin that?
« Last Edit: March 13, 2017, 06:53 by cathyslife »

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2017, 06:57 »
+5
In any case, contributers aren't allowed to phone them.

« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2017, 07:18 »
+14
Wow , so waiting is my only option . That just reminded me a quote from a movie . To paraphrase : they treat us like mushrooms , feed us crap and keep us in the dark .

derek

    This user is banned.
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2017, 07:38 »
+8
No theyre not going to jump all over it thats for sure. I was with them from 2008 and closed my account in Nov last year. I had a portfolio of approx 6000 files. I would have just left it if it wasnt for the fact that one of my macro agencies categorically refused to deal with me if they were left at Istock. Strange really I guess there must be some hard feelings somewhere between them perhaps an ex-employee or something.

« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2017, 08:22 »
+5
what if you just go exclusive?

they will close your account when they find out you aren't really exclusive

« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2017, 09:16 »
+12
I think we may be at a tipping point after these recent changes. I just learned on FB that a black diamond contributor dropped their exclusivity.

To me, that's a pretty big deal when someone who has sold hundreds of thousands of files is fed up enough to take that step.

« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2017, 10:47 »
+9
What are the odds ? I just got an answer to my first ticket about deactivating the port but keeping the account . I asked a specific question and got a canned answer about their new rules regarding deactivating content . Not much surprise really ,  at least I was right to ask for closing my account and not waiting for an answer .
I am doing illustrations mostly and my port is small but with a nice RPI . There was a point just before the acquisition where iStock almost caught up with SS , what a disappointing tease that was .
I'm stunned by the number of contributors who not only don't seem to be bothered by the current state of affairs but are complaining about their images not getting accepted fast enough  :o

« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2017, 11:55 »
+2
What are the odds ? I just got an answer to my first ticket about deactivating the port but keeping the account . I asked a specific question and got a canned answer about their new rules regarding deactivating content . Not much surprise really ,  at least I was right to ask for closing my account and not waiting for an answer .
I am doing illustrations mostly and my port is small but with a nice RPI . There was a point just before the acquisition where iStock almost caught up with SS , what a disappointing tease that was .
I'm stunned by the number of contributors who not only don't seem to be bothered by the current state of affairs but are complaining about their images not getting accepted fast enough  :o

Those are the ones with the mantra "it's far better to get paid a penny per image as opposed to nothing at all."Or on the other end of the spectrum, the elite contributors who have gotten some special deal.

« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2017, 12:01 »
+6
Wow , so waiting is my only option . That just reminded me a quote from a movie . To paraphrase : they treat us like mushrooms , feed us crap and keep us in the dark .

Don't keep waiting.  Keep sending at least one email per week.

« Reply #10 on: March 13, 2017, 13:02 »
+8
I had no response to a ticket for about 5 weeks, emailed them here and my account was closed in a few days [email protected]

« Reply #11 on: March 13, 2017, 13:53 »
0
Judging by other people's experiences this is just normal business for them . Won't hold my breath for this one . Any idea how much it takes for the images to be taken down from all the partner sites once they confirm ? Was that a month or 3 months ? How about the rest of my earnings once I have no longer access to the site ?

« Reply #12 on: March 13, 2017, 21:52 »
0
I had no response to a ticket for about 5 weeks, emailed them here and my account was closed in a few days [email protected]

Thanks for that.

Bookmarked

« Reply #13 on: March 14, 2017, 13:27 »
0
I had no response to a ticket for about 5 weeks, emailed them here and my account was closed in a few days [email protected]

same for me

« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2017, 06:36 »
+1
Sadly that email doesnt work anymore. I got this reply back:

Body of email:
ATTENTION: Thank you for contacting us, but this email address is no longer in use. Please instead:
 
1.       Sign-in to the Getty Images | iStock contributor system, ESP: https://esp.gettyimages.com 
This is our new system which gives you single sign-in access to ESP, the Contributor Community website and Account Management. 
Once signed in please use the Need Help? link in the top right corner.  From that page you have access to FAQs, links to Account Management if you need to update or access your account information and the ability to contact us if needed.

2.       If you have problems signing in to ESP there is an option to contact us for sign-in help.
 
We hope this helps you find what you need.
 
Many thanks,
Contributor Services and Relations

Does anyone know how to disable your media for sale using the new ESP portal?

« Reply #15 on: March 17, 2017, 09:30 »
+7
   ::)  what a mess
.... what am I happy not having to do anything anymore with istock....  :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

« Reply #16 on: March 17, 2017, 10:08 »
+1

Does anyone know how to disable your media for sale using the new ESP portal?

If you mean deactivate, we're no longer allowed to deactivate our own content. You need to pull a support ticket and request that the file be deactivated and give the reason why. They may or may not deactivate the file. Generally, legal concerns are considered a valid reason. Other reasons are at the discretion of istock.

The only way to ensure that your content is deactivated is by closing your account.

« Reply #17 on: March 17, 2017, 10:24 »
+5

Does anyone know how to disable your media for sale using the new ESP portal?

If you mean deactivate, we're no longer allowed to deactivate our own content. You need to pull a support ticket and request that the file be deactivated and give the reason why. They may or may not deactivate the file. Generally, legal concerns are considered a valid reason. Other reasons are at the discretion of istock.

The only way to ensure that your content is deactivated is by closing your account.

Thanks, thats what I suspected. Ive raised a ticket to close my account. Lets see how long it takes...  :-\

drd

« Reply #18 on: March 17, 2017, 12:47 »
+1
I just learned on FB that a black diamond contributor dropped their exclusivity.

Would you mind sharing the link to fb post? Thanks

« Reply #19 on: March 24, 2017, 09:57 »
+7
I just learned on FB that a black diamond contributor dropped their exclusivity.

Would you mind sharing the link to fb post? Thanks

Hi, sorry for the delay in responding. They posted this to their personal FB page, not a FB forum, and I'm reluctant to "out" a contributor who doesn't participate on this forum, at least not very often. But it's true, they gave notice, 30 days have passed and they are uploading to other sites.

It's sad, but I think we're in an industry wide price war and race to the bottom, and stock photography is quickly becoming a less and less viable option to make a living. Even for the best and most talented among us. :-(

« Reply #20 on: March 24, 2017, 10:36 »
+9
It's done . I got the confirmation email today . I still have access to ESP for now and I'll be following the removal of my images on iStock/Thinkstock . Thanks everyone for your support and don't hesitate putting an end to a toxic relationship

« Reply #21 on: March 24, 2017, 11:33 »
+5
I got out of IS long ago, and closed my accounts at DT and SS in January.  It's like you said, I just felt angry about how these companies operated.  And like a sap for giving them my work.   

I really wonder where they'll end up.  Probably being bought and sold, bought and sold, until they're gone and replaced by something better.   

« Reply #22 on: March 24, 2017, 11:37 »
0
Hi , Long time lurker here . I finally decided to pull the plug on iStock/Getty . I have been a member since 2010 and up to the acquisiton sales were really good .
What do you mean by acquisition?      Getty bought iStock in 2006.

drd

« Reply #23 on: March 24, 2017, 12:19 »
+7
Hi , Long time lurker here . I finally decided to pull the plug on iStock/Getty . I have been a member since 2010 and up to the acquisiton sales were really good .
What do you mean by acquisition?      Getty bought iStock in 2006.

He means the aquisition of Getty by the Carlyle Group (AKA Bushes and Clintons) for  $3.3B in 2012. Read here article and comments as well, so that you know who is your master: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/aug/15/getty-images-bought-carlyle-group
« Last Edit: March 24, 2017, 12:32 by drd »

« Reply #24 on: March 26, 2017, 01:08 »
+5
Hi , Long time lurker here . I finally decided to pull the plug on iStock/Getty . I have been a member since 2010 and up to the acquisiton sales were really good .
What do you mean by acquisition?      Getty bought iStock in 2006.

He means the aquisition of Getty by the Carlyle Group (AKA Bushes and Clintons) for  $3.3B in 2012. Read here article and comments as well, so that you know who is your master: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/aug/15/getty-images-bought-carlyle-group

Yes, and before that it was bought by another venture capital firm, Hellman & Friedman.  Both firms leveraged Getty to the hilt with nothing much leftover.


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
36 Replies
25850 Views
Last post September 24, 2008, 13:24
by a.k.a.-tom
Closing DT account

Started by Poncke « 1 2  All » Dreamstime.com

43 Replies
22567 Views
Last post June 21, 2012, 23:22
by grafix04
Closing account

Started by mr 123RF

2 Replies
4255 Views
Last post September 16, 2014, 06:08
by chunumunu
25 Replies
17602 Views
Last post November 02, 2022, 04:32
by Justanotherphotographer
22 Replies
5708 Views
Last post April 26, 2020, 06:25
by cathyslife

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors