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Author Topic: This is what got my iStock forum privileges and sitemail access revoked  (Read 102462 times)

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SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #125 on: September 21, 2010, 00:01 »
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I don't know to be completely honest. frustration, like many other people here? or perhaps hoping that if there is any iota of truth to comments made here, positive or negative, that the evidence will be clear enough to be helpful...I like the discussions, and even when they get heated, they are often great debates. but lately there seems to be more from people who are here to bitch only, not to discuss anything. then people get mad, nasty and here we are. it is hard not to react when you give your thoughts about something you take very seriously, only to have your colleagues make snide, sophomoric jokes at your expense. we all do it. so again, I don't know why I bother posting here. but I really didn't post much here until this latest iStock announcement.


RacePhoto

« Reply #126 on: September 21, 2010, 00:12 »
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referring to the +1,2 and +3 up there....with the exception of Lisa, who is usually respectful and kind in here....the others who high-fived over contributor bashing.....you are regularly some of the worst perpetrators in here! there is so much disrespect in these forums that it's no wonder the small contingent represented here are the same people being banned form other sites.

some big wigs come here to talk freely, and many like me, in the middle ground...come here to read all perspectives as part of an approach to better understanding the entire industry....but I so often get annoyed with the garbage, bullsh*t and complaining in here that it ceases to be helpful.

ichiro - I don't know why you are wasting your breath. it's a playground. the problem with the meanest kid on the playground, is that he'll/she'll stoop lower than someone reasonable, so in terms of arguing, they'll always seem to win with insults that shut people down. in reality, those people are either insecure or just plain jerks. either way, it doesn't really affect my bottom line.

Let me help. I apologize if English is a second language.

"So, we are ending in bashing each other. This is getting more desperate every day."

You do know what getting desperate means, right?

adjective
1.
reckless or dangerous because of despair or urgency: a desperate killer.
2.
having an urgent need, desire, etc.: desperate for attention.
3.
leaving little or no hope; very serious or dangerous: a desperate illness.
4.
extremely bad; intolerable or shocking: clothes in desperate taste.
5.
extreme or excessive.
6.
making a final, ultimate effort; giving all: a desperate attempt to save a life.
7.
actuated by a feeling of hopelessness.
8.
having no hope; giving in to despair.


We are being critical of the situation, not applauding it.

+1 more for a little more tolerance and less back biting.  :)

« Reply #127 on: September 21, 2010, 00:16 »
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ichiro - I don't know why you are wasting your breath. it's a playground. the problem with the meanest kid on the playground, is that he'll/she'll stoop lower than someone reasonable, so in terms of arguing, they'll always seem to win with insults that shut people down. in reality, those people are either insecure or just plain jerks. either way, it doesn't really affect my bottom line.

Wow. Pot meet kettle. You are among the most sanctimonious and condescending (and as a result insulting) among the forum posters. Everyone else is bad and you are the only good one...same story over and over and over. Do you ever wonder why so many people react to you as they do?

Look at that post. For someone talking about insulting and shutting people down, you insult and shut people down. Insecure? Jerks? Here's another. Hypocrite.

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #128 on: September 21, 2010, 00:27 »
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so I deleted my first post, because frankly caspixel, you're simply correct. I've gotten into the habit of being reactive and condescending here. but in fairness, to me and anyone I might have been critical of here, I'm sure we all do a lot of nice things for other contributors too. I spend a lot of time helping other contributors where I can.

as for iStock, I guess ultimately we all do what's best for ourselves...including decisions we make that we feel will affect the entire industry, or won't...whatever.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2010, 01:06 by hawk_eye »

« Reply #129 on: September 21, 2010, 00:35 »
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Edited
« Last Edit: September 21, 2010, 01:09 by caspixel »

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #130 on: September 21, 2010, 00:39 »
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don't people know you are caspixel here? I've seen other people call you by your first name...and your username is the same on istock. but thank you, guess you just saved me the trouble of hiding references to my istock posts.

edited...
« Last Edit: September 21, 2010, 01:06 by hawk_eye »

« Reply #131 on: September 21, 2010, 00:51 »
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People took the liberty of doing that. I never gave anyone permission to use my real name.

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #132 on: September 21, 2010, 00:52 »
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well then, I apologize. it was an honest mistake.

ETA: I've modified my previous posts removing your first name. again, sorry about that.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2010, 01:07 by hawk_eye »

« Reply #133 on: September 21, 2010, 01:31 »
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I will delete my port well before the change takes place.

It's rotten and instead of obsessing about my sales, you should join us and try to stop it.
Save IStock from going down.
Exactly how is that action going to stop IS from going down?.

« Reply #134 on: September 21, 2010, 01:35 »
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referring to the +1,2 and +3 up there....with the exception of Lisa, who is usually respectful and kind in here....the others who high-fived over contributor bashing.....you are regularly some of the worst perpetrators in here! there is so much disrespect in these forums that it's no wonder the small contingent represented here are the same people being banned form other sites.

some big wigs come here to talk freely, and many like me, in the middle ground...come here to read all perspectives as part of an approach to better understanding the entire industry....but I so often get annoyed with the garbage, bullsh*t and complaining in here that it ceases to be helpful.

ichiro - I don't know why you are wasting your breath. it's a playground. the problem with the meanest kid on the playground, is that he'll/she'll stoop lower than someone reasonable, so in terms of arguing, they'll always seem to win with insults that shut people down. in reality, those people are either insecure or just plain jerks. either way, it doesn't really affect my bottom line.
There is an obvious anti-istock bias here, why wouldn't there be when non-exclusives have been treated so badly?  Some of the people that are exclusive with istock are just as biased the other way, going to great lengths to deny the obvious.  There isn't much point trying to change people in a forum, it doesn't happen.  Just skip the posts you don't like and read the few useful ones.  Cluttering up the forum complaining about the garbage and bullsh*t just adds to the problem.  Like this post has :)

« Reply #135 on: September 21, 2010, 02:06 »
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what does it matter who I am? you can see my sales performance on iStock and you are breaching an unspoken rule here. we don't call each other out based on anonymity here no matter how much we hate one another...many of us are anonymous here for our own reasons, usually simply as a tool to keep things from showing up in google searches on our businesses. so I'll thank you to respect it.

So if you are not affected everything is great, however if someone else has negatives from your actions or veiwpoint that is perfectly fine.

The reduced royalties rates for everyone else and not yourself; must fit in the same category as you not wanting your name mentioned and yet you had no problem outing someone else who may also want to remain anonymous.

I think the real reason you are here is to protect your port, you have no problem with other people leaving because they are taking a hit from low royalties as long as the buyers stay to buy images from you.

It seems that you are here to intimidate and apply pressure on those who would encourage buyers to find outlets which pay the majority of contributors fair rates.

I noticed that you did freak when the first images in the agency collection showed up and you had a strong reaction to the nasty files, now if more of those appear I would expect that you would not approve of istocks move because you seem to feel that those images will negatively affect your sales.

vlad_the_imp

« Reply #136 on: September 21, 2010, 02:49 »
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Quote
It seems that you are here to intimidate and apply pressure on those who would encourage buyers to find outlets which pay the majority of contributors fair rates.

I think that is rather an exaggeration. It's hardly likely that anything anyone says here is going to 'intimidate' or 'apply pressure' on anyone else. This is a devisive issue unfortunately, exclusives don't want threats of taking clients away, non exclusives want to be able to use such threats to make themselves feel better about the situation. Those 2 views are diametrically opposed and conflict is inevitable. Divide and rule might be iStocks philosophy at the moment.

TheSmilingAssassin

    This user is banned.
« Reply #137 on: September 21, 2010, 03:02 »
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Its silly for contributors to start picking on each other and the size of their portfolio.  Everyone deserves a decent commission rate, whether they have 20 images or 20,000 images.  Its their work, they created it and deserve to be paid fairly.

Its difficult to blame people for complaining about istock.  What they did was really low and deserved a back lashing but theyve already received it and if they havent already began to feel the effects of their greedy decision, theyre definitely going to pay for it next year when they go through with the change.  Continuing this negative campaign however, wont achieve anything, especially for the ones complaining.  Even if istock tomorrow turns their decision around, would you then stay with them?  Would you trust that they wont do it to you again down the track?  The damage is already done. I said it in my first post on the Buyers Bailing thread that instead of kicking the guy whos already down, why not put your energy and focus on the good guys and promote . out of them.  Pick a couple of agents who will have a positive effect on both your pocket and on the buyers pocket and support them.  Compare commissions and prices between the greedy agents and the fairer ones and announce the differences to the world. Only then will you get your message across effectively (not just to istock, but to the microstock industry as a whole) that you wont put up with such degrading commissions any longer.  Everyone by now that has anything to do with the microstock industry know that istock is run by a bunch of greedy pigs.  Its now time to let all agents know what your terms are and youll only be able to do this by supporting the fair agents.  Instead of looking at this istock debacle as a bad thing, why not look at it in a positive light?  Use this opportunity to support each other and put your feet down and let ALL the agents know that enough is enough and that you not only wont accept 15% commission, but you wont settle for anything less than 50%.  Its your artwork/photography you know?  Grab this by the balls and demand that youre paid what you deserve to be paid!

« Reply #138 on: September 21, 2010, 07:41 »
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let me remind you that i didn't bitch about 20% or whatever.  and instead of bitching i kept working at it

Maybe you should have bitched and not been such a compliant little doggie? Now they hold all the cards (because you gave yours away). Remind us what % of your microstock income you'll be losing for your loyalty? That Gold canister you've been striving for isn't going to mean much now is it?

I won't lose anything.  In fact, I may actually gain the next level :) Maybe you shouldn't have been so compliant either. 

Please , but please

So , why are you writing obvious lies , if your sales are 4 times up u still want make nothing , actually you are down like most of us.

This is childish

who are you to say what I make? year over year I'm up.  Every month is pretty constant with the previous, and i have no issues with my sales.  The 'summer slowdown' isn't that bad for me, and whatever you want to believe you can. 

WHy do I need to have more respect? I have plenty of respect for a lot of people in this forum, especially those that deserve it.  its obvious that 0 dls over there doesn't have any for anyone else.  I clearly haven't attacked dgilder for his decision to remove his portfolio.  While I may not agree with it, I have been, I blieve, respectful about disagreeing. 

Childish is making assumptions that you don't know anything about.  So believe what you want, but don't tell me to have more respect. 


Ichiro,  m8 , you know I have nothing against u or nobody , but how can u say u are not loosing nothing , and that u might actually go up ?

What are u saying , that u had  less than 10 000 dl in so many years and now you wont be affected or your part is going to stay the same ?

Its not assumption , its a fact , you will be downgraded , and for same % you'll have to work much much harder then now ,  and only contributors know
how many hours we invested in our work with only one goal , and then they lift the bar in a second and u have to jump like u never thought its possible
to stay at the same level.

Man , somewhere deep inside u know most people here are right , please don't try to trash them with empty theories and impossible endings.


If u really believe what u say , hats down m8 , you are are hard worker and u deserve to come where u headed to , but it certainly wont be easier , not for u,
not for me , probably not for anybody.

You have no idea what you are talking about.  And I'm going to leave it at that. 

vlad_the_imp

« Reply #139 on: September 21, 2010, 07:50 »
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Quote
theyre definitely going to pay for it next year when they go through with the change.

I'm not sure this is true. Pay in what way? A few , mainly low selling contributors leave, hurting no one but their own pockets. Big claims of taking clients with them. I suspect this is 99% bluster. I'm in no way defending IS's behaviour, it's just that I suspect little will change, clients come and go, many swore last time prices went up they would leave, the imminent demise of IS was forecast, nothing happened, i predict it will be much the same this time.

traveler1116

« Reply #140 on: September 21, 2010, 08:37 »
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Just a week here, but probably because there wasn't really a reason to do it.


You as well? Unbelievable.


Don't be surprised if your week turns into 10 days or two weeks. That sort of happens

I guess we'll see what happens after the re-education program.  But seriously Lobo said he did this for me because I needed a little break, it's best for me. I was posting in a few threads with things that were about the changes but not about the original thread.  For instance I said that the Race for Gold was over and nobody will be doing this kind of stuff anymore because it helps motivate and teach our competition (which now is everyone at IS, not the other agencies anymore).  I also posted in the forum on the Exclusive+ best match bonus thread that we were promised that our files would get better best match placement but that hasn't happened yet after months of waiting and that this needed to be done now since the changes mean we need more redeemed credits.  I also posted in the thread by a relatively new guy about how excited he was for his raise telling him that he would have gotten a permanent raise under the old system early in next year but now he gets a "raise" that can disappear or go down after one year if he doesn't keep producing great selling images and that he needs at least 4 times more sales every year if he wants another "raise".  Obviously these posts had nothing to do with the threads they were written in.  All hail our fearless leaders!!  As you can tell the re-education program has helped me a bunch.

Lobo also may not have liked this link to the onion, I thought it was funny though:  http://www.theonion.com/articles/manager-achieves-full-mastery-of-pointless-manager,2622/
« Last Edit: September 21, 2010, 09:02 by traveler1116 »

TheSmilingAssassin

    This user is banned.
« Reply #141 on: September 21, 2010, 08:41 »
0
Quote
theyre definitely going to pay for it next year when they go through with the change.

I'm not sure this is true. Pay in what way? A few , mainly low selling contributors leave, hurting no one but their own pockets. Big claims of taking clients with them. I suspect this is 99% bluster. I'm in no way defending IS's behaviour, it's just that I suspect little will change, clients come and go, many swore last time prices went up they would leave, the imminent demise of IS was forecast, nothing happened, i predict it will be much the same this time.


Oh theyll pay for sure.  Id be betting theyre already starting to feel the effects slightly but come January next year, itll hit them like a tonne of bricks.  Perhaps a few mainly low selling contributors with smaller portfolios have already left or are currently pulling their ports but the rest of the independents are doing the smart thing and hanging off till next year.  There is no point them leaving in a hurry when the change doesnt happen till later.  Id say most of them are hanging out for stockfresh to take off, and it will.  I seriously doubt any self-respecting non-exclusives will stay for 15%.  20% is already degrading, 15% is just criminal.  So independents will leave next year, no new contributors will sign up after this and itll be too risky for anyone to go exclusive.  Buyers have already had word that istock isnt as spectacular as it says it is and they can find quality images for much less at other agencies where the contributor is paid a fair amount.  Its inevitable... higher prices, lower commissions, and a smaller database to top it off, buyers will be forced to leave.  Exclusives will then be left there with their big dilemma... but Ive invested too much time to leave and start from scratch elsewhere versus but Im losing money staying here.  Its going to be tough for exclusives and theyre going to have to be prepared with one foot already out the door.  They would be naive not prepare themselves.  I seriously feel for them... even you.

« Reply #142 on: September 21, 2010, 08:52 »
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Quote
It seems that you are here to intimidate and apply pressure on those who would encourage buyers to find outlets which pay the majority of contributors fair rates.

I think that is rather an exaggeration. It's hardly likely that anything anyone says here is going to 'intimidate' or 'apply pressure' on anyone else. This is a devisive issue unfortunately, exclusives don't want threats of taking clients away, non exclusives want to be able to use such threats to make themselves feel better about the situation. Those 2 views are diametrically opposed and conflict is inevitable. Divide and rule might be iStocks philosophy at the moment.

Exclusives had better hope that iStock gets a seriously bloody nose out of this - which, yes, means losing a significant number of sales - because if it doesn't they'll be "adjusting the credit levels" next year to bring you closer and closer to the 20%-for-all commission target (and 15% for the rest of us, I suppose).

donding

  • Think before you speak
« Reply #143 on: September 21, 2010, 09:38 »
0


Oh theyll pay for sure.  Id be betting theyre already starting to feel the effects slightly but come January next year, itll hit them like a tonne of bricks.  Perhaps a few mainly low selling contributors with smaller portfolios have already left or are currently pulling their ports but the rest of the independents are doing the smart thing and hanging off till next year.  There is no point them leaving in a hurry when the change doesnt happen till later.  Id say most of them are hanging out for stockfresh to take off, and it will.  I seriously doubt any self-respecting non-exclusives will stay for 15%.  20% is already degrading, 15% is just criminal.  So independents will leave next year, no new contributors will sign up after this and itll be too risky for anyone to go exclusive.  Buyers have already had word that istock isnt as spectacular as it says it is and they can find quality images for much less at other agencies where the contributor is paid a fair amount.  Its inevitable... higher prices, lower commissions, and a smaller database to top it off, buyers will be forced to leave.  Exclusives will then be left there with their big dilemma... but Ive invested too much time to leave and start from scratch elsewhere versus but Im losing money staying here.  Its going to be tough for exclusives and theyre going to have to be prepared with one foot already out the door.  They would be naive not prepare themselves.  I seriously feel for them... even you.

I agree. I think the effects will be felt more after the first of the year when a lot of independents as well as exclusives will pull their ports. It may be more independents leaving, but so many contributors have niche portfolio's or that one image that a buyer wants and when it's no longer there, the buyer will move on to other sites. They really won't have much of a choice. I do wonder though how many small contributors even understand what is going on or are even aware of it. I know they sent e-mails but how many actually bother reading them or even understand it. Many may not even know what % they are getting paid now. But I will say this....rather exclusive or independent...everyone has pictures on there and there is always that one picture that is perfect for the buyer.

vlad_the_imp

« Reply #144 on: September 21, 2010, 09:51 »
0
Quote
Oh theyll pay for sure.  Id be betting theyre already starting to feel the effects slightly but come January next year, itll hit them like a tonne of bricks.

If you really believe this you are very naive.

Quote
which, yes, means losing a significant number of sales

I'm having a very good week this week, I'm getting back to pre-summer sales. I agree IS are a bunch of arrogant SoB's and of course I don't want my income to drop (not sure if it will yet, I'll be close to my target if not on it by the new year) I've been at IS long enough to see every price rise of change be met with a chorus of "We're taking our clients away' or "we're stopping buying at IS". It make no difference. This will be the same. That is my prediction, especially when you see who is making the threats. It has to be said they're not big sellers. To be honest, the more work is removed, the more likely those left are to sell stuff. I'm not happy with IS's handling of this, but to see it as some apocalyptic microstock event is just not true.

vlad_the_imp

« Reply #145 on: September 21, 2010, 09:54 »
0
Donding-Member for 4 years. 400 downloads.

traveler1116

« Reply #146 on: September 21, 2010, 09:55 »
0
Donding-Member for 4 years. 400 downloads.
You can see lots of people's portfolios on here but no one can see yours, I don't understand why you are calling someone out.

donding

  • Think before you speak
« Reply #147 on: September 21, 2010, 09:56 »
0
Donding-Member for 4 years. 400 downloads.

Yup....thats me.... ;D

« Reply #148 on: September 21, 2010, 10:03 »
0


Oh theyll pay for sure.  Id be betting theyre already starting to feel the effects slightly but come January next year, itll hit them like a tonne of bricks.  Perhaps a few mainly low selling contributors with smaller portfolios have already left or are currently pulling their ports but the rest of the independents are doing the smart thing and hanging off till next year.  There is no point them leaving in a hurry when the change doesnt happen till later.  Id say most of them are hanging out for stockfresh to take off, and it will.  I seriously doubt any self-respecting non-exclusives will stay for 15%.  20% is already degrading, 15% is just criminal.  So independents will leave next year, no new contributors will sign up after this and itll be too risky for anyone to go exclusive.  Buyers have already had word that istock isnt as spectacular as it says it is and they can find quality images for much less at other agencies where the contributor is paid a fair amount.  Its inevitable... higher prices, lower commissions, and a smaller database to top it off, buyers will be forced to leave.  Exclusives will then be left there with their big dilemma... but Ive invested too much time to leave and start from scratch elsewhere versus but Im losing money staying here.  Its going to be tough for exclusives and theyre going to have to be prepared with one foot already out the door.  They would be naive not prepare themselves.  I seriously feel for them... even you.

I agree. I think the effects will be felt more after the first of the year when a lot of independents as well as exclusives will pull their ports. It may be more independents leaving, but so many contributors have niche portfolio's or that one image that a buyer wants and when it's no longer there, the buyer will move on to other sites. They really won't have much of a choice. I do wonder though how many small contributors even understand what is going on or are even aware of it. I know they sent e-mails but how many actually bother reading them or even understand it. Many may not even know what % they are getting paid now. But I will say this....rather exclusive or independent...everyone has pictures on there and there is always that one picture that is perfect for the buyer.

And let's not forget that with each price rise over the last couple years, contributors have seen decreases in downloads. I communicate with several (former) buyers. They have all pretty much phased iStock out of their purchasing. Once the Agency collection is introduced and Vetta prices are increased, both of which will dominate the searches, more and more buyers will get sick of wading through higher priced stuff when they can find it cheaper at other sites. And once the logo program is unveiled...oh boy...

« Reply #149 on: September 21, 2010, 10:03 »
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I understand the argument that everyone has the right to complain about changes and everyone deserves a fair commission, etc.  Which I 100% agree with.  There's a faction here that says downloads don't matter, and there's a faction that says that past performance does matter in judging the validity of the argument.  I do believe that DLs and tenure do matter because the statistical reference point that a person that has 38 downloads over 1 year or 500 downloads over 5 years carries much less weight than someone who is at 12000 dls over 3 years or something like that.  Experience is a huge player in almost any job and this is obviously no different.  

I'm not saying that people with crappy ports or low dls do not have valid arguments, and in a lot of cases they do, what I'm saying is that when people who are predicting the future from a such a small reference sample its hard to take that prediction seriously given the lack of data/experience to back up claims.

Then there's always those that just go off the deep end anyways....whatever it is...this off topic reply is just to try to incorporate the idea that dls and experience and portfolio exposure do matter a bit more than many peopel here are willing to admit.


 

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