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Author Topic: Is StockXpert going down?  (Read 20408 times)

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« Reply #50 on: June 17, 2009, 06:23 »
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It is an interesting dilemma that Getty have with StockXpert.

Judging by my own sales, in proportion to the greater collection, StockXpert appear to have annual sales of about $4-5M. That might be chickenfeed in comparison to IS and Getty but nonetheless it is still a valuable asset and it is probably higher than the sales of JIU/PC combined too.

If they close StockXpert down then they lose the value of their asset and StockXpert customers are probably more likely to go to DT/FT/BigStock as they are a closer fit price-wise than IS. Giving the competition a boost is not going to be a particularly attractive option. On the other hand if they don't continue to invest in marketing and infrastructure for StockXpert then it will probably die a slow death anyway.

I can't really see the sense in boosting JIU/PC (with IS images) whilst at the same time ignoring or killing off StockXpert. All 3 companies are still competing for customers against IS __ unless you believe the market is firmly segmented price-wise. In that case you might as well support StockXpert and JIU/PC as they are primarily competing against other agencies. My guess is that they haven't got much choice but to support StockXpert into the future.

What would you do if you were in charge of Getty?

I don't see such a big problem in keeping the competition inhouse - it's still better than letting the customers move to an outside competitor.
Having different branches and let them compete can be a viable business, so there might be a reason to keep StockXpert alive.

But what I expect: Their margins are greatly different at Istock (paying 20% - 40% depending on exclusivity status and cannister level) and StockXpert (paying 50% and more - they pay 50% based on a credit value of 1$, independent of volume discounts).
That is where they will try to have changes - cut royalties for contributors.
If they do that, what harm is in there for them in keeping a second venue inhouse.


« Reply #51 on: June 17, 2009, 06:33 »
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I would keep StockXpert as cheaper site, to compete in price with FT and DT, allow exclusives to send content there (different content of what is sent to istock, obviously), and use intensively the site to attract buyers looking for exclusive content to IS. And I would close the free stockexchange site or reduce it to even more crappy content.

But no idea of what they are going to do.

« Reply #52 on: June 17, 2009, 06:55 »
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I would keep StockXpert as cheaper site, to compete in price with FT and DT, allow exclusives to send content there (different content of what is sent to istock, obviously), and use intensively the site to attract buyers looking for exclusive content to IS. And I would close the free stockexchange site or reduce it to even more crappy content.

That's a good option. They could have the images from IS that are destined for JIU/PC.

« Reply #53 on: June 17, 2009, 06:57 »
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Why to buy a business of 80 million dollars, and then shut it down...!?

Makes sense only if it was the only competition...

puravida

  • diablo como vd
« Reply #54 on: June 17, 2009, 07:11 »
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All very excellent speculation. That's just what it is. But yes, I think there is truth in some, if not all of your speculation.

And what should we expect of Getty?

I think their history would be a hint. Getty's business ethics and takeover culture.
We know how they've been treating contributors so far, and this is not going to change.

No established firm changes business ethics and culture overnight.
I would say, expect what Getty has been giving us lately to continue.

« Reply #55 on: June 17, 2009, 09:24 »
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No business will ever compete with itself.. istock and StockXpert share the same business model, therefore StockXpert competes directly with istock, and that is not good business, in fact, it's business class 101, do not compete with yourself. There is no hope for those looking for some, the only hope was that StockXpert could be changed entirely so that it does not compete with istock directly, turn it into a subs site? No they want photos.com for that, so I'm afraid StockXpert is gone.

I think, after gutting it all they can, that they'll turn it into a really cheap pay as you go site.  Pictures for a buck with 10 cents going to the contributors. Then they will have...
iStock -- premium and unique products at highish prices
photo.com -- subscritpion site with iStock's low selling stock
StockXpert -- ultra cheap without the large upfront charge of subscription sites, offering non-istock photos competing directly with iStocks other contributors.

« Reply #56 on: June 17, 2009, 09:29 »
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I think, after gutting it all they can, that they'll turn it into a really cheap pay as you go site.  Pictures for a buck with 10 cents going to the contributors.

I can't see that happening at all. How many contributors would accept 10c a pop? It would also devalue the industry as a whole (as they are doing to some extent with JIU/PC).

« Reply #57 on: June 17, 2009, 09:44 »
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It is an interesting dilemma that Getty have with StockXpert....
What would you do if you were in charge of Getty?

I'd set up a separate inspection system with different rules: creative filtering, raster illustrations and simple vectors are encouraged instead of largely refused. Fill the site with as much cheap imagery as you can, PPD only. Subs are at Photos.com+/JIU. Higher priced stuff at IS and Getty. I would keep populating the Photos.com+/JIU site with content 1 year old (maybe 6 months) and older from StockXpert - you get a stream of new stuff, but give it a shot at PPD first before selling as subs. I wouldn't allow duplicating new content from IS or StockXpert on the subs site.

Oh, and I'd grandfather in to the new inspection system all current StockXpert contributors for vector/raster/3D submissions to the new site. This is especially to catch all the vector contributors who can't get approved for vectors at IS. 

« Reply #58 on: June 17, 2009, 10:07 »
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Really pissed about this obviously but, cant say I didnt see it coming when IS announced they would be selling out photos at Photos.com and Jupiterimages. The thing that drives me crazy is I have about five times that amount of photos at SX then I do at IS.

My sales at SX were doing really well to with about 200% more of my sales coming from the partner sites rather than SX itself. This is really disappointing.

« Reply #59 on: June 17, 2009, 11:00 »
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I'd set up a separate inspection system with different rules: creative filtering, raster illustrations and simple vectors are encouraged instead of largely refused. Fill the site with as much cheap imagery as you can, PPD only. Subs are at Photos.com+/JIU. Higher priced stuff at IS and Getty. I would keep populating the Photos.com+/JIU site with content 1 year old (maybe 6 months) and older from StockXpert - you get a stream of new stuff, but give it a shot at PPD first before selling as subs. I wouldn't allow duplicating new content from IS or StockXpert on the subs site.

Oh, and I'd grandfather in to the new inspection system all current StockXpert contributors for vector/raster/3D submissions to the new site. This is especially to catch all the vector contributors who can't get approved for vectors at IS. 

That's another good solution too. Gives them an even bigger spread of the potential microstock market.

puravida

  • diablo como vd
« Reply #60 on: June 17, 2009, 11:28 »
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It is an interesting dilemma that Getty have with StockXpert....
What would you do if you were in charge of Getty?

I would quit and join Corbis  ;D


m@m

« Reply #61 on: June 17, 2009, 11:39 »
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I used the same post on another thread, but I think it may be usefull here as well...

I contacted StockXpert's support asking them about the future of the site as well as the commissions accumulated there, and this is what I got back:

"We have not been told that there is no plan to shut StockXpert down in the short term so you will continue to get earnings from StockXpert. In the event of it closing, you will be informed at that time and more info will be available.

Until then it is business as usual and there is no need for you to worry."

What do you guys think?...does StockXpert might have only 90 more days to live?

« Reply #62 on: June 17, 2009, 11:50 »
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I contacted StockXpert's support asking them about the future of the site as well as the commissions accumulated there, and this is what I got back:

"We have not been told that there is no plan to shut StockXpert down in the short term"


Huh? Then there is a plan to shut StockXpert down   ???


« Reply #63 on: June 17, 2009, 12:01 »
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I just hope they will keep StockXpert, although it doesn't look very promising... Despite the issues with new images my sales are not bad - and StockXpert has different customer base comparing with istock. I am quite sure they will loose a big deal of customers if they close StockXpert and point them to istock.

lisafx

« Reply #64 on: June 17, 2009, 12:30 »
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Thanks for posting that M@m.  They are not denying that StockXpert will close, just saying they haven't heard.  That doesn't sound at all promising.

I guess I will stop uploading there.  Breaks my heart, though, as sales have continued to be steady for me.  In fact, I am having a better month there then I have had in awhile.  Maybe customers using up their credits and loading up on sub images in preparation for going elsewhere?

Nothing against Istock, but I hope StockXpert's customers go to SS, DT, etc. instead.  Getty's treatment of contributors in this situation has been pitiful.  

puravida

  • diablo como vd
« Reply #65 on: June 17, 2009, 12:51 »
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Huh? Then there is a plan to shut StockXpert down   ???

at least -not- in the -short term-

this is polticians rhetoric. Getty's CEOs should forget about stock photography and get into politics. they talk the same way:
example:
-"there is (no need) for everyone to panic" -
 -"we are (not going) to have another great depression"
- " (not everyone) of us are going to lose our jobs".


« Last Edit: June 17, 2009, 12:58 by puravida »

puravida

  • diablo como vd
« Reply #66 on: June 17, 2009, 13:02 »
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Thanks for posting that M@m.  They are not denying that StockXpert will close, just saying they haven't heard.  That doesn't sound at all promising.

I guess I will stop uploading there.  Breaks my heart, though, as sales have continued to be steady for me.  In fact, I am having a better month there then I have had in awhile.  Maybe customers using up their credits and loading up on sub images in preparation for going elsewhere?

Nothing against Istock, but I hope StockXpert's customers go to SS, DT, etc. instead.  Getty's treatment of contributors in this situation has been pitiful. 

you think this is pitiful? wait till Getty  takes over SS, DT,etc.. too  8)

« Reply #67 on: June 17, 2009, 13:08 »
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Huh? Then there is a plan to shut StockXpert down   ???

at least -not- in the -short term-

this is polticians rhetoric. Getty's CEOs should forget about stock photography and get into politics. they talk the same way:
example:
-"there is (no need) for everyone to panic" -
 -"we are (not going) to have another great depression"
- " (not everyone) of us are going to lose our jobs".




'Play on words' but according to the post by m&m they say 'we have not been told that there is no plan'. Not, there is no plan...
« Last Edit: June 17, 2009, 13:17 by runamock »

« Reply #68 on: June 17, 2009, 13:20 »
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I would keep StockXpert as cheaper site, to compete in price with FT and DT, allow exclusives to send content there (different content of what is sent to istock, obviously), and use intensively the site to attract buyers looking for exclusive content to IS. And I would close the free stockexchange site or reduce it to even more crappy content.

But no idea of what they are going to do.

Yes, that's IMO what's most likely going to happen!
And that would explain this very strange statement from one of the moderators on the StockXpert forum;

Quote
In the future if there are royalty changes or other changes that you feel are unfair or that you are not happy about, you can make the decision at that time to remove your images from StockXpert. Until that day comes, I invite you to continue to upload your images to the site.

Milinz

« Reply #69 on: June 17, 2009, 13:32 »
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Well StockXpert CREW was always fair for me and they never made any thing similar to iStock crew... Any their rejection was stated correctly and they've helped me to understand microstock better and best of all other sites and their reviewers!
Only who can be close to this BEST is lead of acquisition at Shutterstock who always make good decisions as well some people on DT! Lately there are some positive moves at FT also!

SO, I will always remember that STOCKXPERT had one of THE BEST CREW and most fair reviewers in microstock industry!

So, StockXpert guys and girls and all in HAAP MEDIA I really wish to give you credit and my respect for all you've done and you are doing now as true profesionals unlikely as to some amateurs on iStock!

pieman

  • I'm Lobo
« Reply #70 on: June 17, 2009, 13:34 »
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So, StockXpert guys and girls and all in HAAP MEDIA I really wish to give you credit and my respect for all you've done and you are doing now as true profesionals unlikely as to some amateurs on iStock!

I was hoping for more cap locks here. If this was the iStockphoto Forums your post would have been rejected.

Squat

  • If you think you know, you know squat
« Reply #71 on: June 17, 2009, 13:50 »
0

Yes, that's IMO what's most likely going to happen!
And that would explain this very strange statement from one of the moderators on the StockXpert forum;

Quote
In the future if there are royalty changes or other changes that you feel are unfair or that you are not happy about, you can make the decision at that time to remove your images from StockXpert. Until that day comes, I invite you to continue to upload your images to the site.


#1 . with this much we have to give StockXpert and the people working there the benefit of the doubt. I don't think they know anything more than what the bosses want them to know.
#2.  StockXpert has been a good site to us before this complication started, so I think they deserve a little patience and cooperation from us too.
#3. the statement by the moderator [ you can make the decision at that time to remove your images from StockXpert ] is something that StockXpert has allowed us to do freely, viz to delete our images
anytime we want. This is something no other sites allow us to do.
I think we should bear with them and wish them well because of this, especially point #3.
They cannot turn things around if we don't give them a chance .
If not, like the mod said, we can delete the images when the time comes that the terms are no longer fair to us.

« Reply #72 on: June 17, 2009, 13:58 »
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So, StockXpert guys and girls and all in HAAP MEDIA I really wish to give you credit and my respect for all you've done and you are doing now as true profesionals unlikely as to some amateurs on iStock!

I was hoping for more cap locks here. If this was the iStockphoto Forums your post would have been rejected.

;D ;D


« Reply #73 on: June 17, 2009, 14:20 »
0

So, StockXpert guys and girls and all in HAAP MEDIA I really wish to give you credit and my respect for all you've done and you are doing now as true profesionals unlikely as to some amateurs on iStock!

I was hoping for more cap locks here. If this was the iStockphoto Forums your post would have been rejected.

;D ;D



rofl Milinz the human sequencer  8)

« Reply #74 on: June 17, 2009, 14:31 »
0

Nothing against Istock, but I hope StockXpert's customers go to SS, DT, etc. instead.  Getty's treatment of contributors in this situation has been pitiful.  

I think this may be the case, the Photos.com collection is going to look pretty feeble without the StockXpert content, at least in the short term, or perhaps always, with IS upload restrictions and rejections for 'not stock' they may never catch up.


 

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