what da? istock...

VB inc

« on: April 13, 2011, 13:11 »

#link

This afternoon I get an email from someone that wants to purchase one of my files and cant through istock. She tells me istock told her that "istock is dismantling their site". Thats her words she used. I am not sure if thats correct but what is correct is that she cannot dl my images for some odd reason and needed to contact me directly.
Leads me to think of one of two things. Site doesnt work and has major issues and that might account for substantial drops in dl reported by some. Our files gets turned off and on for purchases which is highly unlikely imo but these days it seems anything goes.
One more what da eff moment as i read this troubling email from my gmail account. The advertisements on the side of the email is for THINKSTOCK. so istock/getty pays google to advertise in emails anything with the word "istock" gets a thinkstock ad.


« Last Edit: April 13, 2011, 13:23 by VB inc »	Ignore \| Logged

Chico

« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2011, 13:16 »

#link

Well, buyers were complaining yesterday:

"Desperate: I tried this several times (American Express) not only Istock does not answer emails - never! But this is not working and no answers.... I promise if I hadnt spent so many hours looking at pictures I would immediatly run to another provider... WHEN WILL THIS GET FIXED? Thank you"

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=316522&page=1


	Ignore \| Logged

disorderly

« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2011, 13:21 »

#link

I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.


	Ignore \| Logged

stockastic

« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2011, 13:22 »

#link

They're sending new lenscaps to all their customers.


	Ignore \| Logged

jamirae

Premium Member

« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2011, 13:22 »

#link

Quote from: VB inc on April 13, 2011, 13:11

This afternoon I get an email from someone that wants to purchase one of my files and cant through istock. She tells me istock told her that "istock is dismantling their site". Thats her words she used. I am not sure if thats correct but what is correct is that she cannot dl my images for some odd reason and needed to contact me directly.
Leads me to think of one of two things. Site doesnt work and has major issues and that might account for substantial drops in dl reported by some. Our files gets turned off and on for purchases which is highly unlikely imo but these days it seems anything goes.
One more what moment as i read this troubling email from my gmail account. The advertisements on the side of the email is for THINKSTOCK. so istock/getty pays google to advertise in emails anything with the word "istock" gets a thinkstock ad.

that kind of sounds a bit fishy to me. make sure it's not some scammer trying to get you to give them your files. Did she call iStock directly? as much as they are screwed up right now, I don't really think an iStock employee would tell a customer "we are dismantling the site." I think you should dig a little deeper into her story.


	Ignore \| Logged

retrorocket

« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2011, 13:35 »

#link

I would say that lady sounds like a scammer. I've had plenty of questionable emails myself.

In regards to Thinkstock, I think that it is true that whenever Istockphoto shows up in an email on gmail a Thinkstock ad appears. I've been noticing that for some time now.

I don't think Istock will ever be dismantled because of the name recognition but we would be very naive to think that Getty doesn't want Thinkstock to overtake Istock at some point. Getty gets a bigger cut with less transparency. Why wouldn't they want that?


« Last Edit: April 13, 2011, 13:36 by retrorocket »	Ignore \| Logged

VB inc

« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2011, 13:36 »

#link

Quote from: jamirae on April 13, 2011, 13:22

It does sound fishy to me also. I would be relieved if it is a scammer in this case. I replied back questioning her statement regarding dismantling the site. She replied back

"Yes, I emailed them and got a call from a man from a 212- area code, which is New York City saying that the image was no longer available and that they were in the process
of dismantling the site. I am sorry that this has upset you, and I am not making this up! So........what I propose is that I try one more time and let you know how successful I am, ok?"


	Ignore \| Logged

loop

« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2011, 13:41 »

#link

Obvious and typical scam.


	Ignore \| Logged

stockastic

« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2011, 13:47 »

#link

This is too weird. If it is a scam, what's it's point?


	Ignore \| Logged

Worried Sick

New Member

« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2011, 13:49 »

#link

Quote from: loop on April 13, 2011, 13:41

Obvious and typical scam.

Agreed. Sounds like a typical scam. First thing copy and paste the full header of the email you received into this web site to find out where the person is located that you sent you the email:

http://www.iptrackeronline.com/header.php

You might find they are located in a suspicious country in either Asia or West Africa.

Secondly, how would a photo buyer get your email address? Normally email addresses don't show to photo buyers on iStock. Or did he/she PM you though the internal message system?

Ask them for their phone number and say you would like to call to discuss and then match the country code of their phone number with their country location based upon their IP address from their email header and see if it is a match. You might find they give you a forwarding number from another country different from where they are located.

Then, if they are a confirmed scammer, send them a huge hi-res 100meg TIF file of just black color in the file and tell them you are sending them the file for free because of all their troubles.


« Last Edit: April 13, 2011, 13:51 by Worried Sick »	Ignore \| Logged

Chico

« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2011, 14:02 »

#link

I just receive this sitemail:

I was wondering what you might sell your usage for your "lightbox XX" and "lightbox XXX" collections for as a whole group? Just let me know.

Thoughts? I'm bit confused about what he wants. He can just buy entire lightboxes, no?


	Ignore \| Logged

ShadySue

Premium Member

« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2011, 14:05 »

#link

Quote from: Chico on April 13, 2011, 14:02

Looks like they're trying to get you to sell privately, maybe undercut iStock's price. You could just tell them to purchase the lightboxes they have. If they won't do it, consider reporting them to Support.


	Ignore \| Logged

Worried Sick

New Member

« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2011, 14:09 »

#link

Quote from: Chico on April 13, 2011, 14:02

Yes, of course he/she can. You have nothing to do directly with prices or sales. Now things are getting even wonkier. Tell him you don't set the prices, istock does, and that there is a buy this lightbox button at the lower right-hand corner of each of the light boxes for his/her convenience.


	Ignore \| Logged

Chico

« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2011, 14:30 »

#link

Quote from: Worried Sick on April 13, 2011, 14:09

Quote from: Chico on April 13, 2011, 14:02

Thanks, WS. Exactly what i did.


	Ignore \| Logged

admin

« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2011, 14:55 »

#link

.. changed the subject to a more family friendly title.


	Ignore \| Logged

click_click

« Reply #15 on: April 13, 2011, 15:12 »

#link

Quote from: disorderly on April 13, 2011, 13:21

I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.

That was really funny!


	Ignore \| Logged

jsnover

Premium Member

« Reply #16 on: April 13, 2011, 15:19 »

#link

Quote from: Worried Sick on April 13, 2011, 13:49

... First thing copy and paste the full header of the email you received into this web site to find out where the person is located that you sent you the email:

http://www.iptrackeronline.com/header.php

Thanks for posting that link - that's very helpful.


	Ignore \| Logged

VB inc

« Reply #17 on: April 13, 2011, 15:22 »

#link

sorry admin... im not too family friendly =P


	Ignore \| Logged

jamirae

Premium Member

« Reply #18 on: April 13, 2011, 15:24 »

#link

Quote from: VB inc on April 13, 2011, 13:36

Quote from: jamirae on April 13, 2011, 13:22

why would istock have a NYC area code when they are in Calgary? phishy - phishy..


	Ignore \| Logged

YadaYadaYada

« Reply #19 on: April 13, 2011, 15:39 »

#link

Quote from: disorderly on April 13, 2011, 13:21

I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.

you wanted more security. this is a scam. if you hate everything istock why don't you quit.


	Ignore \| Logged

disorderly

« Reply #20 on: April 13, 2011, 15:47 »

#link

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on April 13, 2011, 15:39

Quote from: disorderly on April 13, 2011, 13:21

I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.

you wanted more security. this is a scam. if you hate everything istock why don't you quit.

The comments in the iStock forum thread don't appear to be a scam. There does (or did) appear to be a total failure in iStock's credit card processing, keeping customers from buying credits. That's only security in the sense that bricking over your doors and windows is security. No one can get in, you can't get out.

As for your last statement, that's called "assuming facts not in evidence." In any event, I am removing my content from iStock a little at a time. I put in enough effort to put images up that I'd like to earn what I can while I reverse the process.

(I would tell you what to do with your suggestion, but my mom and the forum software don't like that kind of language.)


	Ignore \| Logged

luissantos84

« Reply #21 on: April 13, 2011, 15:48 »

#link

I have a blast in this forum everyday


	Ignore \| Logged

Phil

« Reply #22 on: April 13, 2011, 16:12 »

#link

Quote from: disorderly on April 13, 2011, 13:21

I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.

LOL


	Ignore \| Logged

VB inc

« Reply #23 on: April 13, 2011, 16:20 »

#link

it wasnt a scam.... the file was just downloaded. this isnt a file that sells often so its not a coincidence.


	Ignore \| Logged

jsmithzz

« Reply #24 on: April 13, 2011, 18:26 »

#link

Quote from: Chico on April 13, 2011, 13:16

That doesn't sound good. They screw up best match, search is still crap, and now they can't even take peoples' money without screwing things up.


	Ignore \| Logged

Pages: [1] 2

« previous next »

MicrostockGroup

Microstockgroup Sponsors

Topic: what da? istock...

Microstockgroup Sponsors

Microstock Poll Results