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Author Topic: Cannot Recommend Dreamstime  (Read 20034 times)

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« on: October 31, 2011, 21:47 »
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As a new user of Dreamstime I have had nothing but a dreadful experience and cannot recommend this company or their website which is poorly written and maintained  ???

I've also had the typical fob-off from their support people. It is a joke - plain and simple  :-\

The fact is dreamstime's website is misleading when it comes to subscriptions and what you can actually download. So if you are going to buy a subscription and expect to get 10, 25 or 50 downloads a day - don't count on it because most of the good pics equal 2 or 3 downloads each so you are really only getting two thirds or worse one third of what you expect to get - it is little more than a con-trick!  >:(

When you do download from your lightboxes and select .eps you only get a tiny .jpg - it fails every time to work! 

Dreamstime was an awful experience and a waste of money  >:(


« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2011, 22:33 »
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Your experience is very strange but I confess I am not sure exactly what you are complaining about? I have never experienced any problems with DT as a buyer - in fact, when I used to buy at istock I once had a corrupted eps file and reported it to istock support asking not for a refund but for a file that worked - they treated me like I had done something wrong and was trying get a free file or something - they were truly rude and demanded a guarantee that I had destroyed the corrupted file yada yada yada - it was not like I wanted a refund I simply wanted a file that I had paid for - the rudeness of their support on this issue was among the reasons I stopped buying at IS.

At Dreamstime every time I have had a problem they have gone out of their way to fix it and apologise - I think they are a great site who treat all, buyers and sellers, with a degree of professionalism and courtesy. This is why I find your experience difficult to reconcile as it does not tally with mine and most people's.

May I suggest that you contact support with your issues? I am sure they will be more than willing to sort things out in a fair way.  And please do report back to us and tell us how things were resolved or what DT's response was.

As to the pricing issue - their pricing seems quite open and easy to understand - is there something that you feel might be misleading?

« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2011, 01:22 »
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The fact is dreamstime's website is misleading when it comes to subscriptions and what you can actually download. So if you are going to buy a subscription and expect to get 10, 25 or 50 downloads a day - don't count on it because most of the good pics equal 2 or 3 downloads each so you are really only getting two thirds or worse one third of what you expect to get - it is little more than a con-trick!  >:(

Why are they misleading? I'm not a buyer but I just clicked on 'Buy Now' for an image and it takes me to a page giving details of credit packages and subscriptions. For subscriptions it says, Level 0-2 images: 1 download, Level 3-4 images: 2 downloads, Level 5 images: 3 downloads. Misleading, or you just didn't read it?

« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2011, 04:21 »
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My first microstock experience was with DT as a buyer and I've never had any problems.

« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2011, 07:28 »
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I've purchased hundreds of images through Dreamstime and the process was simple, easy to understand and instant. Perhaps you misunderstood their number of credit as they relate to image size?

digitalexpressionimages

« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2011, 08:00 »
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If you went to Dreamstime's support with the same attitude displayed here then I can understand why they may have treated you with less courtesy than you have come to expect.

I also find it fascinating that you would come to a website for microstock contributors (you know, people trying to earn a living from selling images) and complain that you have to pay extra for "most of the good pics". The sympathy I feel for you at not getting top quality for pennies is overwhelming. I may cry.

I would of course advise you not to go too far in calling a reputable business's practices a con-trick.

« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2011, 08:31 »
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But i can recommend DT to all users:
- to buyers, becose i have my photos for sale on this site, but DT has too love sales...
- to photographers, expecially dreaming about exclusivity- they will not be allowed submit their images on others, better selling sites! DT is the best site for beginners: no exams, no tests, most friendly. Who stay on DT, never will be an competitor for us on better sites. So, all to Dreamstimes!!!

lisafx

« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2011, 14:31 »
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Sorry to hear you had a bad experience at DT.  That's very unusual.  They are known for being one of the most responsive and well-run of the microstock sites, for both buyers and contributors. 

« Reply #8 on: November 01, 2011, 16:53 »
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@juscommune - sorry to hear that you didn't manage to use our site. Hundreds of thousands users are happy to use it every day.
When you buy credits or a subscription, the level downloads are clearly specified in the very same page. So how can you call this a con-trick? It's right there, right before the "Buy subscription" button: http://www.dreamstime.com/credits.
If you want to buy only images counted as 1 download, you can use the Dreamfinder, our advanced search, where you can choose the price of the photos that come up in your searches (I guess you need only level 0-2 images).

@Grandpa - for a photographer with such a small portfolio on every site, you sure seem to know a lot about stock industry. If you ever decide to teach courses about the way to success in microstock industry, count me in, I'll pay whatever it takes!

« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2011, 17:04 »
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@juscommune - sorry to hear that you didn't manage to use our site. Hundreds of thousands users are happy to use it every day.
When you buy credits or a subscription, the level downloads are clearly specified in the very same page. So how can you call this a con-trick? It's right there, right before the "Buy subscription" button: http://www.dreamstime.com/credits.
If you want to buy only images counted as 1 download, you can use the Dreamfinder, our advanced search, where you can choose the price of the photos that come up in your searches (I guess you need only level 0-2 images).

@Grandpa - for a photographer with such a small portfolio on every site, you sure seem to know a lot about stock industry. If you ever decide to teach courses about the way to success in microstock industry, count me in, I'll pay whatever it takes!


Yo DT. Why do I suddenly respect you more.

« Reply #10 on: November 01, 2011, 19:31 »
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Ive read through all your comments thank you. I cannot agree with them all because they do not account for what has actually occurred here. So I will explain it.  :D

To begin with I will restate that my experience with Dreamstime has been far less than satisfactory this is my experience and I am here to warn potential users of the Dreamstime website and what they can expect based on how the site is presented and used.

This is not to say that everyone will experience a problem that is why I am posting on here to bring these issues to the attention of others.

On the Dreamstime site under Subscriptions is this statement:

Level 0-2 images: 1 download
Level 3-4 images: 2 downloads
Level 5 images: 3 downloads

To me this is unclear language and ambiguous since it can mean the very opposite of what the site is attempting to purport i.e.:

Level 5 images can be downloaded up to 3 times per day, Level 4 up to 2 downloads per day, Level 3 up to 2 downloads per day and once each of 0, 1 and 2 - which adds up to 10 downloads per day which is what I was considering at the time (I do note that this option has now been removed).

If it read something like this:

Level 0-2 images - count as 1 download
Level 3-4 images - counts as 2 downloads, not 1 download
Level 5 images - counts as 3 downloads, not 1 download

This would be clear and unambiguous language.

I have now written to Dreamstime twice and not received any word back from them other than acknowledging my email.

My first email relates to the download levels, the following to the .eps issue both of which (to date) have gone unanswered.

Again, these are the facts. Yes I have misunderstood Dreamstime statement with respect the downloads, however, Dreamstime is offering a product and must use clear and unambiguous language so there is no doubt about what is for sale.

I should also have my queries answered within a reasonable time.

WarrenPrice

« Reply #11 on: November 01, 2011, 19:39 »
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@juscommune - sorry to hear that you didn't manage to use our site. Hundreds of thousands users are happy to use it every day.
When you buy credits or a subscription, the level downloads are clearly specified in the very same page. So how can you call this a con-trick? It's right there, right before the "Buy subscription" button: http://www.dreamstime.com/credits.
If you want to buy only images counted as 1 download, you can use the Dreamfinder, our advanced search, where you can choose the price of the photos that come up in your searches (I guess you need only level 0-2 images).

@Grandpa - for a photographer with such a small portfolio on every site, you sure seem to know a lot about stock industry. If you ever decide to teach courses about the way to success in microstock industry, count me in, I'll pay whatever it takes!


Is this a joke?
Do you really represent a professional organisation?
I hope an official DT representative will offer a correction to this childish, irresponsible response.

Maybe you are just another troll?

« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2011, 20:33 »
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Hi WarrenPrice, what is childish and irresponsible in my response? Cause I can't see it, thanks.

@juscommune - I'm pretty sure that you will receive an answer from support and things are gonna work out. I don't know what "reasonable time" means to you, but usually it takes 24-48 hrs.
« Last Edit: November 01, 2011, 20:48 by viorel_dudau »

« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2011, 01:51 »
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Hi WarrenPrice, what is childish and irresponsible in my response? Cause I can't see it, thanks.

@juscommune - I'm pretty sure that you will receive an answer from support and things are gonna work out. I don't know what "reasonable time" means to you, but usually it takes 24-48 hrs.

The poor attempt to sarcasm in your response to Grandpa is very unprofessional. If you're in this forum often enough, you may take notice of how professional and polite responses are given by representatives of other agencies here.

RolMat

« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2011, 02:18 »
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Quote
Is this a joke?
Do you really represent a professional organisation?
I hope an official DT representative will offer a correction to this childish, irresponsible response.
Maybe you are just another troll?

Viorel did reply in a quite detailed manner to the OP. As for GrandPa's post, honestly I also didn't get it either. Finally, as for being in this forum often enough, I guess we don't have to post regularly to see what's going on. Guess what, I do, and the big picture as well. That's why some opinions don't surprise me at all. Like Warren's one, who just called Viorel Dudau a troll. Not a joke, he happens to be an official DT representative.
« Last Edit: November 02, 2011, 02:20 by RolMat »

« Reply #15 on: November 02, 2011, 02:26 »
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@juscommune - sorry to hear that you didn't manage to use our site. Hundreds of thousands users are happy to use it every day.
When you buy credits or a subscription, the level downloads are clearly specified in the very same page. So how can you call this a con-trick? It's right there, right before the "Buy subscription" button: http://www.dreamstime.com/credits.
If you want to buy only images counted as 1 download, you can use the Dreamfinder, our advanced search, where you can choose the price of the photos that come up in your searches (I guess you need only level 0-2 images).

@Grandpa - for a photographer with such a small portfolio on every site, you sure seem to know a lot about stock industry. If you ever decide to teach courses about the way to success in microstock industry, count me in, I'll pay whatever it takes!


Is this a joke?
Do you really represent a professional organisation?
I hope an official DT representative will offer a correction to this childish, irresponsible response.

Maybe you are just another troll?

As far as I know he's passionate about the company he works for, I've seen his posts on DT too. The OP's accusation (or wording) is pretty harsh. I think that the OP has misinterpreted what sub packages entail, although it is pretty clear to the rest of us. To call it a con-trick though and especially for a company like DT, which I personally trust far more than some other microstock sites I could mention, requires response.

As for Grandpa he's entitled to his opinion. If he wants to say that DT is just a place for amateur photographers, I'm sure a lot of people would be offended by that, especially those who do much better than Grandpa and there will be a lot of them.

I like agencies who come on here and defend themselves with some passion. It gives me more confidence in them. Companies like istock and others who basically don't give 2 hoots about what is said about them, show that in their actions too. Example, they can reduce commissions to 15% and not be bothered at all about the outcry. Those who work for DT are clearly passionate about their company and if they respond likewise, that's ok with me, it's far far better than being ignored.

« Reply #16 on: November 02, 2011, 03:06 »
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My enthusiasm for DT went when I started to get some strange rejections.  I don't upload much there now, it takes too long if they are going to reject images that sell on the other sites.  I get paranoid because I read that the search takes rejection rates in to account.  So now I only upload a few landscapes that I know they like.  The problem is, they don't sell as well as things that are likely to get rejected.  It's probably my problem, not theirs but it doesn't make me want to upload more.  My sales have slumped.  Removing old images that don't sell, that I read could improve sales, hasn't worked.

I would like to feel free to upload whatever I want there, I have sold quite a lot over the years and would much prefer the buyers were given a chance to decide if images were useful rather than leaving that subjective decision to reviewers.

« Reply #17 on: November 02, 2011, 03:13 »
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If you're in this forum often enough, you may take notice of how professional and polite responses are given by representatives of other agencies here.

A lot of sweet words have been given here by various agencies over the years. Learn to see through it.

« Reply #18 on: November 02, 2011, 03:22 »
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Some countries don't mind a bit of banter and humour, it makes people seem more human but others think that company representatives should always be very polite.  I think it isn't worth offending potential buyers and contributors, just look at the istock forum, they've offended people that have taken their business elsewhere.  I don't think that's wise for an international business.  Many of us might not understand why people take offence but they do, so it really isn't worth it.

« Reply #19 on: November 02, 2011, 04:58 »
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If you're in this forum often enough, you may take notice of how professional and polite responses are given by representatives of other agencies here.

A lot of sweet words have been given here by various agencies over the years. Learn to see through it.

I am in this longer than you think and I know very well what can lie behind a pretty dressed post from a representative. I wasn't saying anything about whether agency employees are speaking the truth or not, my post was only about the temper of the DT person.
Rolmat's response has quite a different flavour, that's something to be appreciated.

« Reply #20 on: November 02, 2011, 06:28 »
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So Viorel poked a little fun, no biggy, Ive seen much worse.  I think he picked the wrong target though as Grandpa is 100% correct in what he said and very positive about DT and not disrespectful of their contributors as some have interpreted:

But i can recommend DT to all users:
- to buyers, becose i have my photos for sale on this site, but DT has too love sales...

-  Id certainly pimp my DT port before any of the others but it is true that sales per image are much lower than on IS or SS

- to photographers, expecially dreaming about exclusivity- they will not be allowed submit their images on others, better selling sites! DT is the best site for beginners: no exams, no tests, most friendly. Who stay on DT, never will be an competitor for us on better sites. So, all to Dreamstimes!!!
DT certainly is the best for beginners for the reasons stated.  He isnt saying they remain beginners, in fact saying that exclusives will never be competition on other sites is stating that the work is good enough to be competition.

« Reply #21 on: November 02, 2011, 07:48 »
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If you're in this forum often enough, you may take notice of how professional and polite responses are given by representatives of other agencies here.

A lot of sweet words have been given here by various agencies over the years. Learn to see through it.

I am in this longer than you think and I know very well what can lie behind a pretty dressed post from a representative. I wasn't saying anything about whether agency employees are speaking the truth or not, my post was only about the temper of the DT person.
Rolmat's response has quite a different flavour, that's something to be appreciated.

@heywoody I don't know, maybe u are better at deciphering it than I am. "Who stay on DT, never will be an competitor for us on better sites." This just read to me as dt contributors are no competition to other site contributors (although they are often the same people anyway). But at the end he says "So, all to Dreamstimes!!!". So maybe he just wasn't able to express clearly what he was thinking. I'm certainly confused now anyway

@Tabimura I can see ur point. But I wasn't implying or even thinking that you weren't in this a long time. What people should understand is that DT is an agency where a lot of the staff have backgrounds similar to our own. They are artists/photographers including the owner etc. These are people who in general are by nature passionate. On Viorel's contributor page he says "I guess this is why we are all here at Dreamstime. We all want to live off our passion. And its great when we succeed." Doesn't every artist want to live off their passion. DT is their passion now, they aren't a business or business people who have come in to this industry to do their 9-5 jobs and live off other peoples passion, which is the common trend of agencies, both new and old. I'm sure that a lot of these agencies would give the perfect clinical response to perceived criticism, if they respond at all. They are detached from their business and will move to another job easily because of this detachment. But while they work for the agency that they are with, they will go through the motions, with their clinical responses and their "you can trust us" jargon. But you can't trust them as ultimately they don't really care about their business, the only thing they care about is their pay packet.

I trust a person more who gives an unconventional answer but shows his passion for his company, rather than a person who gives a clinical answer but doesn't really give a dam.
« Last Edit: November 02, 2011, 08:10 by Microstock Posts »

WarrenPrice

« Reply #22 on: November 02, 2011, 09:08 »
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Quote
Is this a joke?
Do you really represent a professional organisation?
I hope an official DT representative will offer a correction to this childish, irresponsible response.
Maybe you are just another troll?

Viorel did reply in a quite detailed manner to the OP. As for GrandPa's post, honestly I also didn't get it either. Finally, as for being in this forum often enough, I guess we don't have to post regularly to see what's going on. Guess what, I do, and the big picture as well. That's why some opinions don't surprise me at all. Like Warren's one, who just called Viorel Dudau a troll. Not a joke, he happens to be an official DT representative.

I think you are finally getting a sense of humor, Rolmat.   ;D
And you are learning to "Spin."  But, please reread my post.  I didn't call anyone anything.
Twisting my words is why I am banned from your forum.  
Say hi to Serban.   ;D

PS:  he sure came across as a troll.  Did you think the response was representative of a professional organization?  I honestly thought he was trying to start just what this has turned in to.   ::)
« Last Edit: November 02, 2011, 09:13 by WarrenPrice »

digitalexpressionimages

« Reply #23 on: November 03, 2011, 08:39 »
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But i can recommend DT to all users:
- to buyers, becose i have my photos for sale on this site, but DT has too love sales...
- to photographers, expecially dreaming about exclusivity- they will not be allowed submit their images on others, better selling sites! DT is the best site for beginners: no exams, no tests, most friendly. Who stay on DT, never will be an competitor for us on better sites. So, all to Dreamstimes!!!

Dreamstime tests contributors every time they submit. That's what reviewers do. If an image isn't good enough it's rejected, you fail but are free to try again tomorrow. I don't understand istocks test. Any amateur with a decent camera who shoots everyday will eventually come up with 3 shots that pass their little test. That doesn't suddenly make them pros.

I also know of many contributors on Dreamstime with less than a dozen images in their ports, not because they don't submit but because most of their work is not good enough. They are always free to keep trying though and they don't have to wait 6 months. The point is, the quality of material is as good as any site that makes you pass a stupid test first. To say dreamstime is for beginners is an insult to both a top tier agency and it's contributors.
« Last Edit: November 03, 2011, 08:41 by digitalexpressionimages »

« Reply #24 on: November 03, 2011, 09:37 »
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Again, I dont see any disrespect to DT or its contributors in Grandpas post.  All he is saying is that DT is more beginner friendly which it most certainly is.  Instead of using an entrance exam to control the flow of substandard images they use acceptance ratio as a throttle far easier for someone starting off to get a feel for what is and isnt acceptable and to start building a portfolio.  The exclusivity terms are easy enough to meet and actually very attractive in the beginning.  As a result they have a population of exclusive contributors who are very loyal to the site many of whom would otherwise present serious competition to independents on other sites again this is saying something positive about DT and its contributors.  I suspect (and this is me just taking a punt) that better sites just means sites with more sales activity in my (limited) experience IS and SS both have far higher sales and revenue per online image (as opposed to revenue per download).


 

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