MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => Dreamstime.com => Topic started by: GeoPappas on August 01, 2006, 19:18

Title: DT Eliminates Instant Buy Option
Post by: GeoPappas on August 01, 2006, 19:18
It seems that Dreamstime has removed the ability for a buyer to purchase an image without registering.

That is too bad because I have had quite a few Instant Purchases.  It is quite nice to see a few dollars added for one image (and it is more in line with what the royalty should be in the first place).

A discussion was started about this, but it was closed by admin.  It is very sad that more and more microsites are censoring their forums.

You can read the full discussion here:

http://www.dreamstime.com/thread_5117
Title: Re: DT Eliminates Instant Buy Option
Post by: fintastique on August 02, 2006, 02:35
Definately a mistake if someone just wants one image let them buy one image instead of getting them to sign up for 20 credits.

Does any site allow you to buy just one image now?
Title: Re: DT Eliminates Instant Buy Option
Post by: kacper on August 02, 2006, 04:37
It's a huge mistake if you ask me. On my site I've had my entire portfolio linking to individual images on Dreamstime, because I actually got "impulse" buys of images through my site (a couple dozen to date). Now I'm going to replace it with links to another site. Definitely not Shutterstock nor Istock, but I'm thinking Fotolia or BigStock as they create highest commissions per sale after Dreamstime.

Oh well, too bad.
Title: Re: DT Eliminates Instant Buy Option
Post by: CJPhoto on August 02, 2006, 05:33
kacper - have you joined Featurepics (http://www.featurepics.com/Authors/Images273.aspx).  If not do so.  Quick to do, good acceptances, 70% commissions and you set the prices.  In my opinion it is ideal for what you are doing (better than the othersites anyway).

If you haven't joined yet, feel free to use my link -> Featurepics (http://www.featurepics.com/Authors/Images273.aspx)
Title: Re: DT Eliminates Instant Buy Option
Post by: kacper on August 02, 2006, 06:02
Question: how are the sales there? I don't mind joining a new site and giving someone an affiliate benefit, but I've gone to a lot of trouble before with absolute crap sites like Gimmestock (0 sales, 4 months), ScanStockPhoto (1 sale, 9 months), Crestock (0 sales, 4 months) and TotallyPhotos (0 sales, 4 months) so I'd like to know that I'm actually putting in the effort to send pics, keyword and all for a purpose. I don't expect a payout every month like I do on iStock and Shutterstock, but one needs motivation to keep going, eh?

kacper - have you joined Featurepics ([url]http://www.featurepics.com/Authors/Images273.aspx[/url]).  If not do so.  Quick to do, good acceptances, 70% commissions and you set the prices.  In my opinion it is ideal for what you are doing (better than the othersites anyway).

If you haven't joined yet, feel free to use my link -> Featurepics ([url]http://www.featurepics.com/Authors/Images273.aspx[/url])
Title: Re: DT Eliminates Instant Buy Option
Post by: grp_photo on August 02, 2006, 06:39
Featurepics is the perfect site the best model very friendly great support etc. BUT yes its still a very slow site but they put a lot of effort in the site (for example do the categorizing for you). And its extremly easy to submit your images if you have your keywords in the IPTC-Data they have also FTP.
If i compare effort of uploading to sales its a lot better site than Bigstock for me. In any case its far better then canstockphoto.
For the use of direct links from pictures of your site it is the best solution in my opinion.
Title: Re: DT Eliminates Instant Buy Option
Post by: CJPhoto on August 02, 2006, 06:57
Should have said, it is a new site and it is slow.  It is towards the bottom of my list.  I find it about the same as bigstock and more than can stock.  I jusst thought it would be good for your direct linked photos (due to high commission and set your own prices) but if you are not getting regular sales aswell, it may take a while to get payout.

Does StockXpert (http://www.stockxpert.com/?ref=CJPHoto) allow single sales - that have more volume plus a 50% payout. 

Likewise 123RF (http://www.123rf.com/src_cjphoto) has single sales and a 50% payout (I think they are reducing soon to new comers so get in if you aren't there already - even if you just upload a few to reserve your place) though you also go into their subscription model which you may or may not be happy about (a lot less vloumn that SS).

fotolia (http://www.fotolia.co.uk/partner/39857) only has 33%- 39% payout so not as good as the two mentioned (not sure if they do single sales).

123rf and stockXpert have more volumn that bigstock so not a real option.

Does anyone know that external site that you get per picture sales with SS - though I dont think the payout is good.

The above is based on my experience so depending on your photos, may differ.
Title: Re: DT Eliminates Instant Buy Option
Post by: kacper on August 02, 2006, 14:48
http://www.photosights.net/

It gets very little traffic. 20% payout...

Does anyone know that external site that you get per picture sales with SS - though I dont think the payout is good.
Title: Re: DT Eliminates Instant Buy Option
Post by: madelaide on August 02, 2006, 17:02
Admin insisted this would not affect sales, but I didn't see any expanation why it would be a problem to maintain this feature.  I even saw a buyer saying he would like it.  I think it's odd however the reasoning that buyers would buy a credits package if they wanted an image.  Would they really?  I think they would if they had the intention of buying more than one image, but if it's just one...  they may well go look elsewhere.

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: DT Eliminates Instant Buy Option
Post by: GeoPappas on August 02, 2006, 17:36
I even saw a buyer saying he would like it.

There were actually quite a few buyers that said that they liked the Instant Buy option.

Only DT knows why they did this...