Author Topic: Alamy changed payment threshold (Read 50812 times)

cidepix · « **Reply #150 on:** November 06, 2013, 15:32 »

Quote from: Ariene on November 06, 2013, 03:22

This is Alamy system and if it works, let it be... What's the different if you get the money today or next 3 months? It is already your money and just need to wait, a little If sell more images today, you'll get more money tomorrow, right?

Grain to grain and nice surprise one day

Maybe It's OK to have uncleared payments for 17 months for you..

It's not for me..

Yes, Just checked and there are still uncleared payments from 17 months ago..

stockastic · « **Reply #151 on:** November 06, 2013, 15:43 »

The problem with Alamy is that the ratio of hoop-jumping to earnings (H/E) has gotten way too high. After a long hiatus I recently uploaded a bunch of photo and now I'm faced once again with grinding through that dumb keyword interface, copying all my keywords from the wrong box (where they show up by default) to the right box, on every single image... and I might get a $15 sale in 3 months... which might be cancelled the next day... or the next month...

ShadySue · « **Reply #152 on:** November 06, 2013, 15:45 »

Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 15:43

The problem with Alamy is that the ratio of hoop-jumping to earnings (H/E) has gotten way too high. After a long hiatus I recently uploaded a bunch of photo and now I'm faced once again with grinding through that dumb keyword interface, copying all my keywords from the wrong box (where they show up by default) to the right box, on every single image... and I might get a $15 sale in 3 months... which might be cancelled the next day... or the next month...

Or a year later, months after you've been paid (if it's a special client).

luissantos84 · « **Reply #153 on:** November 06, 2013, 16:05 »

Quote from: cidepix on November 06, 2013, 15:32

Quote from: Ariene on November 06, 2013, 03:22
This is Alamy system and if it works, let it be... What's the different if you get the money today or next 3 months? It is already your money and just need to wait, a little If sell more images today, you'll get more money tomorrow, right?

Grain to grain and nice surprise one day

It's OK to have uncleared payments for 17 months for you I guess..

It's not for me..

Yes, Just checked and there are still uncleared payments from 17 months ago..

its not, that is outrageous

stockastic · « **Reply #154 on:** November 06, 2013, 16:14 »

Quote from: ShadySue on November 06, 2013, 15:45

Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 15:43
The problem with Alamy is that the ratio of hoop-jumping to earnings (H/E) has gotten way too high. After a long hiatus I recently uploaded a bunch of photo and now I'm faced once again with grinding through that dumb keyword interface, copying all my keywords from the wrong box (where they show up by default) to the right box, on every single image... and I might get a $15 sale in 3 months... which might be cancelled the next day... or the next month...
Or a year later, months after you've been paid (if it's a special client).

You gotta be kiddin me. They'd expect you to pay them back?

ShadySue · « **Reply #155 on:** November 06, 2013, 16:32 »

Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 16:14

Quote from: ShadySue on November 06, 2013, 15:45
Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 15:43
The problem with Alamy is that the ratio of hoop-jumping to earnings (H/E) has gotten way too high. After a long hiatus I recently uploaded a bunch of photo and now I'm faced once again with grinding through that dumb keyword interface, copying all my keywords from the wrong box (where they show up by default) to the right box, on every single image... and I might get a $15 sale in 3 months... which might be cancelled the next day... or the next month...
Or a year later, months after you've been paid (if it's a special client).
You gotta be kiddin me. They'd expect you to pay them back?

It was a 50% refund, as they had apparently changed their mind about the file, and they were a top client. The money was taken from my outstanding balance; I wrote and asked for an explanation and got one.

stockastic · « **Reply #156 on:** November 06, 2013, 19:23 »

Quote from: ShadySue on November 06, 2013, 16:32

Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 16:14
Quote from: ShadySue on November 06, 2013, 15:45
Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 15:43
The problem with Alamy is that the ratio of hoop-jumping to earnings (H/E) has gotten way too high. After a long hiatus I recently uploaded a bunch of photo and now I'm faced once again with grinding through that dumb keyword interface, copying all my keywords from the wrong box (where they show up by default) to the right box, on every single image... and I might get a $15 sale in 3 months... which might be cancelled the next day... or the next month...
Or a year later, months after you've been paid (if it's a special client).
You gotta be kiddin me. They'd expect you to pay them back?
It was a 50% refund, as they had apparently changed their mind about the file, and they were a top client. The money was taken from my outstanding balance; I wrote and asked for an explanation and got one.

They took it from your "cleared" balance?

ShadySue · « **Reply #157 on:** November 06, 2013, 19:24 »

Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 19:23

Quote from: ShadySue on November 06, 2013, 16:32
Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 16:14
Quote from: ShadySue on November 06, 2013, 15:45
Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 15:43
The problem with Alamy is that the ratio of hoop-jumping to earnings (H/E) has gotten way too high. After a long hiatus I recently uploaded a bunch of photo and now I'm faced once again with grinding through that dumb keyword interface, copying all my keywords from the wrong box (where they show up by default) to the right box, on every single image... and I might get a $15 sale in 3 months... which might be cancelled the next day... or the next month...
Or a year later, months after you've been paid (if it's a special client).
You gotta be kiddin me. They'd expect you to pay them back?
It was a 50% refund, as they had apparently changed their mind about the file, and they were a top client. The money was taken from my outstanding balance; I wrote and asked for an explanation and got one.

They took it from your "cleared" balance?

Yes, because the request came when I had some cleared money but wasn't at payout. I guess I'd have gone into negative if I hadn't had money 'in hand'.

stockastic · « **Reply #158 on:** November 06, 2013, 19:36 »

Quote from: ShadySue on November 06, 2013, 19:24

Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 19:23
Quote from: ShadySue on November 06, 2013, 16:32
Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 16:14
Quote from: ShadySue on November 06, 2013, 15:45
Quote from: stockastic on November 06, 2013, 15:43
The problem with Alamy is that the ratio of hoop-jumping to earnings (H/E) has gotten way too high. After a long hiatus I recently uploaded a bunch of photo and now I'm faced once again with grinding through that dumb keyword interface, copying all my keywords from the wrong box (where they show up by default) to the right box, on every single image... and I might get a $15 sale in 3 months... which might be cancelled the next day... or the next month...
Or a year later, months after you've been paid (if it's a special client).
You gotta be kiddin me. They'd expect you to pay them back?
It was a 50% refund, as they had apparently changed their mind about the file, and they were a top client. The money was taken from my outstanding balance; I wrote and asked for an explanation and got one.

They took it from your "cleared" balance?
Yes, because the request came when I had some cleared money but wasn't at payout. I guess I'd have gone into negative if I hadn't had money 'in hand'.

So in the world of Alamy, a "sale" isn't necessarily a sale. And " cleared" doesn't really mean cleared. It's taken me a while but I'm starting to understand. Hope they don't send me a bill for last year.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #159 on:** November 06, 2013, 19:38 »

looks like, amazing!

cidepix · « **Reply #160 on:** November 06, 2013, 22:30 »

Quote from: luissantos84 on November 06, 2013, 19:38

looks like, amazing!

That is why I have no sympathy for them..

a sale uncleared for 17 months!? and still counting? It's a joke..

Even if they lower the threshold to $50, I won't be satisfied.. because their system is so problematic that even if they lift the threshold altogether, this is not the kind of company I want to work with..

there were comparisons with shutterstock above (as a response to my post) but it doesn't make sense.. this is nothing like shutterstock..

there is no excuse that it takes 17+ months for a sale to clear..

Ron · « **Reply #161 on:** November 07, 2013, 03:22 »

^^

I keep saying that but Alamy keeps coming back with the same comment, they report sales in real time, and they pat themselves on the back for that. But its not a sale at all. Its only a sale when the money sits in my bank, and even then its not a sale because when the buyer comes back after a year for a refund, they will get it, and I will be in the red. It has happened on Alamy, people reported it, but then Alalmy denies it.

Ariene · « **Reply #162 on:** November 07, 2013, 07:37 »

Quote from: cidepix on November 06, 2013, 15:32

Maybe It's OK to have uncleared payments for 17 months for you...
Yes, Just checked and there are still uncleared payments from 17 months ago...

and...

Quote from: KB on November 06, 2013, 10:48

Today or in 3 months? Not a big difference.
But in my example, they've been using the image for almost a year now. It took 2 months to report the sale, and so far over 9 months after reporting, without the payment clearing.
You're really ok with that? From what I've read, this isn't the only (or even worst) example, either.

OMG! I had no idea people waiting so long...

This is crazy...
3 or 4 months seems to be noting special with 1 month in other agencies, but one year and over? No way! This is absolutely to much $:-\$

Quote from: ShadySue on November 06, 2013, 16:32

It was a 50% refund, as they had apparently changed their mind about the file, and they were a top client. The money was taken from my outstanding balance

This should never happen!

I had many refunds, maybe to many. Usually the same image was sold again with less $. Once got more $...
It takes one month usually, no longer. I was sure money is mine just when I see it on my Paypal...

luissantos84 · « **Reply #163 on:** November 12, 2013, 21:37 »

sale from May 24th still uncleared

madelaide · « **Reply #164 on:** November 14, 2013, 19:15 »

Wow, I don't think it ever took me more than 2 months after the threshold was achieved.

stockastic · « **Reply #165 on:** November 14, 2013, 21:57 »

Quote from: Ron on November 07, 2013, 03:22

I keep saying that but Alamy keeps coming back with the same comment, they report sales in real time, and they pat themselves on the back for that. [...]

I think the real problem for Alamy is one common to other agencies - they won't make any changes that involve significantly changing their web site, because that's too expensive, and the code is too old, and they're afraid of breaking things, and the developers have moved on. So we see things like that creaky "Manage Images v2.4" interface, that takes 30 seconds to load and then makes you close a box saying "you have no Not Ready images" - it will be like that forever. Or the keywording dialog that puts your IPTC keywords in the wrong box, so you have to cut-and-paste them, on every image, every time.

It isn't just Alamy of course. These agencies made big investments in web development years ago, but a lot of time has gone by, and they're prisoners of mountains of old spaghetti code that no one really understands anymore. Some of it was very likely done by contractors. Major changes would mean hiring new people and paying a lot of money. And risking problems.

They could change their payout threshold, that wasn't a big deal, just one number really; but all that "cleared payment" stuff is another matter.

Not to beat up on Alamy - because IStock is the perfect example. Unlike Alamy, they kept trying to change things, and breaking things as a result, until they had a royal mess on their hands.

pancaketom · « **Reply #166 on:** November 15, 2013, 03:07 »

I had a check, I have a partner sale from 22 June that still hasn't cleared. It wouldn't be so bad except that it was 2012. It wasn't a big sale or I'd be more annoyed. Still, you'd think a year would be enough.

djpadavona · « **Reply #167 on:** November 15, 2013, 18:47 »

That's funny (well not really, it isn't) because Alamy responded to a post I made on MSG by saying that the maximum clearing time was 4 months. You are going on 17 months without clearance. Ridiculous.

So if we close the accounts or delete the "sold" images immediately, do the sales get cancelled? Because at this point we should do it just to spite the buyer and Alamy, as 17 months is way too long to decide if you want to spend $100-200 or not. Sorry but you had your chance. Waste somebody else's time.

ShadySue · « **Reply #168 on:** November 15, 2013, 19:06 »

I write to push things on if a sale hasn't cleared after six months.

If you delete a file, it's still available for six months afterwards, exactly in case of a swithering buyer (in the T&C). You can hide it from other people by removing caption, title and keywords before deleting (you must do it before hitting delete).

pancaketom · « **Reply #169 on:** November 15, 2013, 19:45 »

I did contact them, and they said it was a partner seller in Brazil that they are going after - so it might be a total loss, or maybe someday we will get something. Not ideal, but that is what can happen w/ shady partners I suppose.

djpadavona · « **Reply #170 on:** November 21, 2013, 12:45 »

I have a significant purchase from July 9 which still hasn't cleared. So I sent Alamy the following email -

I have approximately $150 in uncleared purchases, most of which I believe is in relation to a download on July 9, 2013 under Alamy Ref .........

It has been 4 and 1/2 months since this purchase was made. I would like to have resolution on this sale as soon as possible. If the buyer is not serious about the purchase, then it is time to cancel it and move on. Otherwise complete the purchase immediately.

If it is going to take several months for purchases to clear in the future, I will have no choice but to remove my images.

Regards

Daniel Padavona

I'm tired of dealing with Alamy and their horrible keywording interface, the IPTC import issues, and the purchases which take forever to clear. I'd prefer to show love for agencies which pay 35-40% commissions or more, but given the multiple issues, the new fees, and the very small contribution of Alamy to my overall sales, I see no reason to stick around if they don't give me immediate resolution.

stockastic · « **Reply #171 on:** November 21, 2013, 12:54 »

I used to think I was getting somewhere on Alamy, but in the second half of this year it all just dried up and blew away. My sales are very rare now and net only a few dollars. An occassional fat sale used to make up for the annoyances, but that's not happening any more.

For new stock sites, we're demanding absolutely zero hassles because we don't expect much return. If Alamy were new, today, would we be getting on board?

Ron · « **Reply #172 on:** November 21, 2013, 20:02 »

I see the exact same trend, and I see others post on the Alamy forum, it all went downhill in the second half of this year. There was a rerank in July that killed me off completely. My CTR is 0 now. Since July its been dead.

When I post this on their forum all I hear the gang say is add more images, add more images, you only have 488 images. Fair enough, but these guy just spray and pray. Thousands of stupid images of the same street, every single doorknob photographed.

And then this week a thread is openend by someone with a few thousand images saying he hardly has any sales, and the people replying all have large ports reporting crap sales. But then no one says, add more images.

The one person with a BME has 100,000 images, its stupid

People seem to have a good month when they report 1500 gross sales, thats between 600 and 750 dollar, and then they have 11k images.

I think they dont even know anymore how much money a port with 11k images can do these days.

Something happened in July that killed sales. Period.

madelaide · « **Reply #173 on:** November 22, 2013, 09:41 »

Quote from: djpadavona on November 21, 2013, 12:45

I'm tired of dealing with Alamy and their horrible keywording interface, the IPTC import issues, and the purchases which take forever to clear.

What IPTC import issues?
I do like their keyword grouping for relevance. It is however time-consuming.

stockastic · « **Reply #174 on:** November 22, 2013, 11:25 »

Quote from: Ron on November 21, 2013, 20:02

Something happened in July that killed sales. Period.

That seems to be the bottom line. And apparently the epitaph.

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Author Topic: Alamy changed payment threshold (Read 50812 times)

cidepix

stockastic

ShadySue

luissantos84

stockastic

ShadySue

stockastic

ShadySue

stockastic

luissantos84

cidepix

Ron

Ariene

luissantos84

madelaide

stockastic

pancaketom

djpadavona

ShadySue

pancaketom

djpadavona

stockastic

Ron

madelaide

stockastic

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