Agency Based Discussion > 123RF
Decided to leave 123rf
Jo Ann Snover:
Not sure when they'll actually pull the portfolio, but yesterday I asked 123rf to close my account.
I've been with them since 2005 (with a gap 2008-11 when I was exclusive at iStock) and in spite of my distaste for their new royalty scheme (rolling 12 months credits total versus flat 50%), I figured I'd stay - to see if the promised huge growth in volume would occur. It didn't, and I've uploaded in batches up until last fall. Comparing sales of new files with how those fared at SS gave me a clue that uploading new work to 123rf wasn't going to make a difference - SS was selling them well. As an example, one remodeling image that sold 77 times so far on SS has sold twice at 123rf.
123rf sales have continued to drop (with a surprising upward blip in December to something like "normal") and on March 1st, the decline was such that I dipped to level 3 in the royalty tiers.
I thought a bit about what to do and decided that I saw no reason that their failure to sell my portfolio should net them more money out of every sale. Seemed like a perverse incentive scheme I wanted no part of.
As I just (mid-December) re-joined Fotolia, I know what an agency with the ability to sell can do with the same files 123rf can't sell - about 10x what 123rf can manage.
I realize that no one who shops at 123rf will care about one contributor leaving, but I care about supporting bad business models - as in, I don't want to do that.
I'm still with Dreamstime, even though they're in a terrible free-fall as well, because they're not cutting my royalty rates as a result of their failures (my money totals are down as a result of volume decline, of course).
The old Ann Landers question "Are you better off with him or without him?" - I'm done.
Lostlenscap:
I washed my hands of them last month as well. It's always a tough decision to hang on or not, I applaud you making your break from them and hope Fotolia works well for you.
Justanotherphotographer:
The new pay structure at 123 was a pay rise for me and their rates are actually still a higher percentage than almost any other site. I have seen a slip in number of downloads the last month or two so I can understand if they aren't worth it for you anymore. I hope they recover and wish you well with the other sites you are on.
Minsc:
Base on my numbers, 123RF is 1/8 of SS. It's not a top tier agency, but they're consistent and they're growing. 123RF like every other agency is constantly growing their portfolio. The pie is getting bigger, but smaller pieces for everyone.
I don't understand the point of deleting your whole portfolio unless you're going exclusive. You lose your search position and you start from the bottom all over again if you decide to go back in the future. It doesn't matter where you go, you're competing with over 50 million images.
PixelBytes:
I finally got around to doing my January stats. Had to wait for Istock numbers to come in.
Last October or November my 123 monthly royalties crashed to 1/4 of usual and have stayed there. I didn't bother investigating, but assumed sales had nosedived. Imagine my surprise when I did stats for Jan and Feb and discovered both months sales were equal or better than same months last year?! Looks like their new pricing scheme is to blame. >:(
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