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Author Topic: More Changes at Crestock  (Read 21634 times)

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Microbius

« on: October 22, 2010, 10:52 »
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Just came through email:

"To Crestock's Contributing Artists:

First, let me say a belated hello. Since I joined Crestock 6 weeks ago I have been focused on nothing but re-launching the company into the marketplace and have missed greeting all of you who make this business possible.

Second, I want to thank you for sticking with us through the change. We fixed some lingering problems immediately following the change of ownership: we promised and delivered timely payments, faster image approvals, and same-day responses to your questions.

But, mainly I want to share with you what were doing now and what we are planning.

Our participation in the Visual Connections trade show in New York last week was a success. We reintroduced the company to image buyers with its new logo, improved website, and a vastly accelerated search capability - and we were well received. Virtually nobody who came to the booth knew about Crestock previously. People were happy to hear there was a new option in the marketplace. And the affiliation with Masterfile was viewed as very positive. So this was a solid start.

Ellen Boughn has joined the Crestock community with her weekly blog posting. We know that her expertise will provide value to each of you.

Our extended price-point range launched this week, providing Crestock clients with image prices ranging from $1 to $25 and we increased the price for vector files from $10 to $15.

In the last week of October, we will be launching an extensive internet ad campaign to get the word out on Crestock far and wide. As a point of reference, our advertising budget for the next six months is double Crestocks annual sales in 2009 so we clearly intend to make a success of this company!

We have a long list of new projects for the upcoming months. If you have questions, Ill do my best to answer them. But the simple equation is this: the better we do, the better you do.

Take pointers from Ellen. Give us your best.
Joan Fischer, President
"

Good to get some positive news for a change.


« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2010, 10:59 »
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But still only .25 for subs?

Microbius

« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2010, 11:34 »
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yeah not all good news

« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2010, 12:33 »
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I stopped u/l due to there very high non-people photo rejections. Their rejections tell me what they're looking for...they want business people related shots. If they want to succeed, they need to be more diversified like the big boys.  I have 26 images accepted there and over 600 at SS and nearly that at IS. What does that tell ya?

lisafx

« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2010, 12:47 »
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Thanks for posting Microbius.  I hadn't seen this.  Bringing a heavy-hitter like Ellen on board would indicate they are very serious about getting things moving over at Crestock.  I'm glad I started uploading to them again :)

WarrenPrice

« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2010, 13:08 »
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Thanks for posting Microbius.  I hadn't seen this.  Bringing a heavy-hitter like Ellen on board would indicate they are very serious about getting things moving over at Crestock.  I'm glad I started uploading to them again :)

Lisa,
When you "started uploading again" do you mean your entire port or do you take a slower, more deliberate approach?

« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2010, 13:34 »
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Getting the jumper cables out for Crestock seems like a good idea. It will be interesting to see how it works out. There's not too much place for them to go but up... or closed.
« Last Edit: October 22, 2010, 13:36 by cthoman »

« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2010, 13:49 »
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But still only .25 for subs?

But still selling subs?
« Last Edit: October 22, 2010, 13:57 by madelaide »

jbarber873

« Reply #8 on: October 22, 2010, 14:17 »
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   Unless they change their rejection policies, I think they are living on borrowed time. I'm sure bringing in a heavy hitter like Ellen is a good sign, but only if they listen to what she has to say. My communication with them is that the original review team is in place and has no intention of changing their attitude toward what kind of collection they are  building. Since they have not wanted (most of ) my images in the past, i see absolutely no reason start uploading again.

« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2010, 14:52 »
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   Unless they change their rejection policies, I think they are living on borrowed time. I'm sure bringing in a heavy hitter like Ellen is a good sign, but only if they listen to what she has to say. My communication with them is that the original review team is in place and has no intention of changing their attitude toward what kind of collection they are  building. Since they have not wanted (most of ) my images in the past, i see absolutely no reason start uploading again.

Ditto

« Reply #10 on: October 22, 2010, 15:21 »
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I also like the sounds of what seemed like an aggressive marketing campaign.  I still like Crestock a lot, so I hope they can change things around.  they have the potential to be a very nice site.

« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2010, 15:33 »
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I am trying to upload this month after over a year of ignoring them. Rejections are still high so my guess is I have to evaluate results at the end of a month trial. They got good submission interface so it does not take long to process my small batches but it takes many days to review images.

lisafx

« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2010, 19:01 »
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Lisa,
When you "started uploading again" do you mean your entire port or do you take a slower, more deliberate approach?

They already had most of my port, until I pulled out to go exclusive at Istock (ROFLMAO!). 

A couple of months ago when they were bought by Masterfile I resumed uploading and got the remaining several hundred on the site.  At this point they have my whole portfolio except what they have rejected. 

« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2010, 00:10 »
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I e-mail them to ask if the 0.25c subscription will remain now that Crestock was acquired my Masterfile, explaining to them in detail how much I earn from subscriptions on other sites and how far out of line they were with 0.25c. They replied that it will remain unchanged, upon which I then requested that my account be closed immediately. 

After some time I got a nice e-mail response that they were not aware that other stock sites pay more for subscriptions and they would like to have a telephonic interview with me. After a long discussion by phone I was given the assurance that their pricing structure and commission payment to contributors will be investigated in detail and some changes will be made. As a result, I have put my request to close my account on hold, pending the outcome of this new restructuring.

I really appreciate the effort to arrange for a telephonic interview with me and their willingness to listen to contributors. However, if the 0.25c subscription is not raised I will be very surprised and disappointed.  What is the use of all these changes if subscriptions still constitute the bulk of all sales there? I will ask them to close my account immediately.  Sorry, nice people don't feed my family, money do. I am still positive that we will see an increase. Lets wait and see.

« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2010, 09:22 »
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changes... changes... ok! what about rejections??.. I haven't got a clue what they are looking for.. I have submit days ago 2 pictures that were approved in all agencies.. yeah rejected at Crestock! :P really not worth

rubyroo

« Reply #15 on: October 23, 2010, 09:23 »
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@ Eco

That is surprising... I'm surprised that they went to that much trouble, which is good, but I'm also surprised that they weren't aware of the commissions on other sites.

Good for you for pushing a little harder.  If they raise their commissions, I might start uploading there... but only if I'm certain that their 'Judge Dread' or whatever he was called has gone.   I always felt that element of Crestock was really childish and very unprofessional.

BooKitty

« Reply #16 on: October 23, 2010, 16:06 »
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I dropped Crestock  over a year ago after 2 months. I had images pending review for 22 days. Sent them many emails asking why so long for review, these emails were never responded to. I finally sent an email to close my account and that one was answered in two hours.

I uploaded some illustrations on Sat based on the positive postings in here. I am willing to give them a chance again now that they are owned by Masterfile, an agency that I respect and that I have purchased RM from.

And subs for .25... SS pays that (and they have thousands of contributors) and if you have a problem with that don't upload.

rubyroo

« Reply #17 on: October 23, 2010, 16:54 »
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SS increases commissions as your cumulative sales hit certain targets.
« Last Edit: October 23, 2010, 16:58 by rubyroo »

« Reply #18 on: October 23, 2010, 18:40 »
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And subs for .25... SS pays that (and they have thousands of contributors) and if you have a problem with that don't upload.

I currently earn 0.38c at SS. Add to that an increasing number of on demand downloads at $1.24/2.85 per download SS is hardly comparable to Crestock. 

BooKitty

« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2010, 20:43 »
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And subs for .25... SS pays that (and they have thousands of contributors) and if you have a problem with that don't upload.

I currently earn 0.38c at SS. Add to that an increasing number of on demand downloads at $1.24/2.85 per download SS is hardly comparable to Crestock. 

OK sure, but you had to earn $10,000 to get that .38c per DL, etc. Don't know how long it took you to make 10K but you had to be getting ..25c and then .33c for a while before you moved up in the ranks.

I  like SS and I am a contributor, I am half way to the $500 mark and .33c per DL.

I am not defending Crestock, I thought they sucked out loud but they are under different management now and all I am saying is they pay the same for subs that SS does when you start out and you can earn .35c per sub DL after 100 downloads. I am willing to give them a second chance.

« Reply #20 on: October 24, 2010, 01:27 »
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I am not defending Crestock, I thought they sucked out loud but they are under different management now and all I am saying is they pay the same for subs that SS does when you start out and you can earn .35c per sub DL after 100 downloads. I am willing to give them a second chance.

0.35c per sub download after 100 downloads? I think you are mistaken, unless it is something they just announced (don't think so). What you probably refer to is that the percentage on single images sales increase from 20% to 30% after 100 downloads. Problem is that single images sales are almost non-existent on Crestock. I am with Crestock since 2006 with well over 1000 downloads and I still get 0.25c per sub download. This is the point I want to make that unlike SS you are stuck with 0.25 for life with no opportunity to increase that.

BooKitty

« Reply #21 on: October 24, 2010, 11:41 »
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Eco, you are correct, I mis-read the clause.

I will listen to your experience at Crestock when you say that single sale DLs are almost non-existent. If you are willing to answer how many or percentage of your 1000+ DLs were single sales?

I appreciate the info and I will rethink on this and continue to watch this forum for opinions based on knowledge and experience of contributing to Crestock.

Thanks

« Reply #22 on: October 24, 2010, 14:25 »
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I closed my account there last year and would be interested since the fact that they did change hands and see how it goes for all of you that are still there and if things actually are better than in the past.

I'll probably make a decision to go back or not probably after the first of the year.

« Reply #23 on: October 24, 2010, 17:52 »
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And subs for .25... SS pays that (and they have thousands of contributors) and if you have a problem with that don't upload.

I currently earn 0.38c at SS. Add to that an increasing number of on demand downloads at $1.24/2.85 per download SS is hardly comparable to Crestock. 

I guess you have said quite good.. HARDLY COMPARABLE! I can add one more HARDLY! :P

m@m

« Reply #24 on: October 24, 2010, 20:10 »
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Make that two ;)!


 

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