Author Topic: $100 payout minimum sucks!!! (Read 1849 times)

blvdone · « **on:** March 07, 2024, 06:37 »

It sucks on Dreamstime they have $100 payout minimum. I'm at $91 now, but what if they go out of business? They may just get away with not paying any contributors below $100 sales balance in a broad daylight. Sales revenue is rightfully ours. Any amount should be claimed by us. It would be a flat-out theft of our money if that happens.

Faustvasea · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2024, 07:09 »

I do agree. 100 is way too much. 25 will be reasonable.

Andrej.S. · « **Reply #2 on:** March 07, 2024, 07:14 »

Same here. Currently waiting at 85.78 USD. After the payout I will delete all content and delete the account.
20 or 25 USD would be acceptable. I would even accept a small payout fee like paypal does since you would be save not loosing bigger amounts if they become insolvent.

blvdone · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2024, 10:12 »

Quote from: Andrej.S. on March 07, 2024, 07:14

Same here. Currently waiting at 85.78 USD. After the payout I will delete all content and delete the account.
20 or 25 USD would be acceptable. I would even accept a small payout fee like paypal does since you would be save not loosing bigger amounts if they become insolvent.

Bad thing is, sales on Dreamstime is slow. It'll take till the end of year or more to make it to $100 from my current $91. I added some photos to my portfolio recently to hopefully speed up my sales there to reach $100. After that, I may delete my port too. It's ridiculous.

blvdone · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2024, 10:13 »

I hope it won't turn into Nightmaretime.

FHphotography · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2024, 10:51 »

Totally agree. 25 would be ok payout sum. I am waiting with my 88 dollars. At least a week with no sales. Then usually few days in a row and again week with no sales. Weir pattern. Give me my money

!

Zero Talent · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2024, 11:02 »

I'm paid every 1.5 months or so. But a smaller payout threshold is better, of course.

Asthebelltolls · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2024, 11:54 »

And this where the Microstock Forum has lost a lot of its usefulness. There was a time when top tier earnings ratings were legitimate. You can't tell me Stocksy or Self-Hosted are in the top four category. Where does Dreamstime actually rate? They were always in the top six when I first visited this site 10 years ago. If Dreamstime is actually sinking in ratings, there would be time for concern. Personally, Dreamstime and DepositPhotos are my top earners. Regardless, I agree with everyone else. Dreamstime has got to lower their minimum payout level if they don't want to deter contributors from staying on board or joining the agency.

zeljkok · « **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2024, 14:47 »

Dreamstime won't go out of business, but 100 is indeed too high considering that even Alamy has $50 threshold which can be reached with single sale. They do pay you though; last time I waited (for no specific reason) till balance was ~450 and no problems, they even said "thank you".

In my view largest reason for slow sales is virtually no QA. Everything is accepted which caused swamp of sub-standard images much larger than elsewhere.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2024, 16:30 »

Quote from: blvdone on March 07, 2024, 06:37

... It's a flat-out theft of our money.

No. It's not.

I completely understand the frustration with the too-high payout threshold - although it was what everybody used back when DT, iStock, CanStock, Shutterstock etc. started.

You signed up with the site when these payment terms were clearly stated - no changes, no subterfuge. Making totally false statements about the agency doesn't help anyone.

I have no idea how DT is still puttering along - it's a shadow of its former self - but during the pandemic, when the loathsome Pavlovsky was cutting royalties at SS, Dreamstime gave a small bonus to contributors. They're not going to make anyone rich, but they are a decent agency.

For a while, Fotolia allowed you to request a payout below the threshold but would then charge a fee, which seems very reasonable as they have to process the payments and that takes someone's time. They need to have some way to avoid getting drowned in nuisance requests.

I've been getting paid regularly by them, but the days of getting a monthly payout from them (for me) are long gone. I think they should drop the payout level and institute payout on account closure with a (small) fee to cover the payout if it's below the minimum. I don't expect that they'll be rushing to do that though

RalfLiebhold · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2024, 16:52 »

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on March 07, 2024, 16:30

You signed up with the site when these payment terms were clearly stated - no changes, no subterfuge. Making totally false statements about the agency doesn't help anyone.

Thank you Jo Ann, that's exactly the point.

Dreamstime pays me on time several times a year.

If one is struggling to reach the payout limit, it might be the wrong agency for the portfolio.

Wilm · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2024, 17:28 »

I can only say that I have never had any problems with a payout at dreamstime. No matter how you feel about the agency - it has always been fair!

alexandersr · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2024, 18:40 »

Quote from: blvdone on March 07, 2024, 06:37

It sucks on Dreamstime they have $100 payout minimum. I'm at $91 now, but what if they go out of business? They may just get away with not paying any contributors below $100 sales balance in a broad daylight. Sales revenue is rightfully ours. Any amount should be claimed by us. It would be a flat-out theft of our money if that happens.

Probably they will do as CanStock did!

Firn · « **Reply #13 on:** March 08, 2024, 01:17 »

While I agree with everyone else here that the minimum pacout of $100 is too high for a small agency like Dreamstime, I do not understand your argumentation? Theft? Because they could go out of business and you might not be getting your money? Accusing an reliable company that has been around for 24 years and has always paid their contributors on time of theft, just because it could potentially go out of business is taking it a bit far, especially since you could say the exact same thing about every other agency.

cobalt · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2024, 03:46 »

Dreamstime is the ONLY agency that paid us more during the pandemic. For that alone they will always get content from me.

I do believe a threshhold of 50 would be better.

Has anyone written to them and asked them to consider lowering it?

Perhaps in a version where we pay a small fee if we want to pay out at lower values?

Because the 100 dollars might be fee related, that it is cheaper for them to payout at that level.

They are a very decent artist friendly agency with a loyal community and even many exclusive artists and exclusive content.

My sales are slow, but growing, now that I started uploading again. All of last year was 35 dollars, this year I already reached that in early march. They also sometimes have image sales for 15 dollars.

So I hope with regular content I will be able to get a payout several times a year. Once a month as the ultimate goal.

Her Ugliness · « **Reply #15 on:** March 08, 2024, 04:16 »

Quote from: cobalt on March 08, 2024, 03:46

Has anyone written to them and asked them to consider lowering it?

I haven't written them, but I have seen statements by them in their forum, here is a direct quote:
"We cannot accommodate requests of $50 for the simple reason this would increase the payment requests volume considerably."

I have no idea why in 2024 some companies still claim an online payment process cannot be automated.

Of course it is possible, other agencies can do it after all, I just think they don't want to. I know of people who say they have not been able to reach minimum payout for years. And in the meantime Dreamstime gets to keep that money, can invest it and gets interests. It's probably part of the business mode.

Yakystockero · « **Reply #16 on:** March 08, 2024, 04:52 »

Well, $100 made sense years ago when DT worked well and could be reached in a few weeks/months, but this situation has changed. While it is true that they are within their rights since it is known and agreed information, it would be good if they knew how to adapt to their new situation and lower that limit, especially given that payment is an automatic and cost-free process.

And if they are not able to automate, it is because they are outdated and out of the market, and therefore they will die little by little, ergo it would make no sense to continue uploading content there.

murat4art · « **Reply #17 on:** March 08, 2024, 05:23 »

I made a mistake once (8 years ago) DT I deleted all the content when I had 65 dollars, then I asked for my money, they said they can't give it to me without 100 dollars.

RalfLiebhold · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2024, 09:17 »

Quote from: Her Ugliness on March 08, 2024, 04:16

I haven't written them, but I have seen statements by them in their forum, here is a direct quote:
"We cannot accommodate requests of $50 for the simple reason this would increase the payment requests volume considerably."

I have no idea why in 2024 some companies still claim an online payment process cannot be automated.

Even automated online payments are not free. You need software, a payment service provider or payment gateway. This costs money and the prices usually depend on the invoice volume.

In this respect, Dreamstime's argument is understandable.

I prefer the high payout limit to lower sales revenue

blvdone · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2024, 11:13 »

Guess what? I had a huge $2.00 photo sale yesterday and am closer to the $100 payout threshold now. I may be able to cash out before they may go out in the worst case scenario. Fingers crossed!! But it's a tough decision to either immediately cash out once my balance hits $100 or keep going above $100. Because if I cash out at $100, I don't know how long it'll take to get to $100 again. If I keep it going above $100, if Dreamstime suddenly cease the operation, there's no guarantee I'll get my balance back. I'll probably cash out at $100 and delete my port to be safe. I can get like 20 Big Mac for $100. Can't risk that. If the payout minimum was $25, I would definitely keep going.

Yakystockero · « **Reply #20 on:** March 08, 2024, 13:59 »

Quote from: RalfLiebhold on March 08, 2024, 09:17

Even automated online payments are not free. You need software, a payment service provider or payment gateway. This costs money and the prices usually depend on the invoice volume.

In this respect, Dreamstime's argument is understandable.

I prefer the high payout limit to lower sales revenue

Payment companies offer these transfers, services and free software to many sender, as they take a good cut in the currency exchange, with the loss of the recipient of course.

Roscoe · « **Reply #21 on:** March 08, 2024, 14:25 »

Quote from: alexandersr on March 07, 2024, 18:40

Quote from: blvdone on March 07, 2024, 06:37
It sucks on Dreamstime they have $100 payout minimum. I'm at $91 now, but what if they go out of business? They may just get away with not paying any contributors below $100 sales balance in a broad daylight. Sales revenue is rightfully ours. Any amount should be claimed by us. It would be a flat-out theft of our money if that happens.
Probably they will do as CanStock did!

So far, Dreamstime always has been one of the more respectable agencies. At least, that's how I experience them.

Yes, the $100 payout limit is very high compared to other agencies, but on the other hand, I'm not worried too much about not getting paid.

Either they pull the plug and cease operations, like canstock did. Clean closure, everyone gets paid.

Or, in case of bankruptcy, there's always a fair chance that another company takes over and eventually pays the contributors. It's not a tiny nitwit agency, they do have quite a big and diverse library and still a fair customer base. Same happened with EyeEm by the way. A lot of struggles and a lot of uncertainty, but in the end, we all got our coffee money and some of us even more. Speaking of coffee money: most you can lose (or not being paid) is $ 99.99. And that's not the end of the world.

I hope none of that happens, and Dreamstime stays around.

RalfLiebhold · « **Reply #22 on:** March 08, 2024, 15:37 »

Quote from: Yakystockero on March 08, 2024, 13:59

Quote from: RalfLiebhold on March 08, 2024, 09:17

Even automated online payments are not free. You need software, a payment service provider or payment gateway. This costs money and the prices usually depend on the invoice volume.

In this respect, Dreamstime's argument is understandable.

I prefer the high payout limit to lower sales revenue

Payment companies offer these transfers, services and free software to many sender, as they take a good cut in the currency exchange, with the loss of the recipient of course.

In my opinion, this is not correct.
If you look at the price structures of payment gateways such as Ayden, Stripe (payment service for Airbnb) etc., the client (sender) pays the costs and not the the recipient.

This is comparable to card payments. As a businessman, you pay the fees for the transfer and use of the devices.

LizC · « **Reply #23 on:** March 08, 2024, 23:55 »

I agree $100 is much too high especially when the majority of downloads are .35 I think $50 would be much fairer. We may have agreed to the terms but how many of us would think it would take so long to reach payout? In three years I'm up to $87and it doesn't look like I'm going to reach $100 any time soon. And I think it is wrong and maybe even unethical not to pay accumulated earnings to those who want to close their account.

Pacesetter · « **Reply #24 on:** March 09, 2024, 01:59 »

Clearly contributor numbers achieving $100 minimum payout back when the policy was first put in place were much higher than what it is now so everyone's on the same page with reducing the minimum payout. I've actually achieved minimum payout but haven't claimed it as I feel I may as well close the port down once I do. Maybe I can just leave it and one day when I make it to $200 I can claim $100 (if they allow that probably not but anyway) and then I can always know I can with draw money with at least $100 sitting in there. Point is really, Dreamstime is not worth it for me.

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Author Topic: $100 payout minimum sucks!!! (Read 1849 times)

blvdone

Faustvasea

Andrej.S.

blvdone

blvdone

FHphotography

Zero Talent

Asthebelltolls

zeljkok

Jo Ann Snover

RalfLiebhold

Wilm

alexandersr

Firn

cobalt

Her Ugliness

Yakystockero

murat4art

RalfLiebhold

blvdone

Yakystockero

Roscoe

RalfLiebhold

LizC

Pacesetter

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