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Author Topic: subscription joy  (Read 6241 times)

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« on: April 26, 2013, 16:02 »
+2
The big wheel at DT has turned again, and I'm back to nothing but subs.   What a joy to get 35 cents for level 4 images at maximum size.

I'm starting to think it might finally be time to drop these guys, as the percentage of subs is increasing, and I'm only undercutting myself at other sites.

DT's system of 'levels' used to be a reason to stick with them because you felt you had someplace to go, you'd see sales for higher prices over time.  Now they've all but wiped out that advantage with the increasing sub sales.  Not much reason to be there if it's just another 35 cent sub site.   
« Last Edit: April 26, 2013, 16:23 by stockastic »


« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2013, 16:44 »
+2
.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2014, 14:17 by Audi 5000 »

« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2013, 17:22 »
0
Oh yeah that's right.  I've lost track of all the smoke and mirrors.  I'm the perfect patsy for these guys.

75% of my (meager) sales this month have been subscriptions.

« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2013, 17:41 »
+4
The big wheel at DT has turned again, and I'm back to nothing but subs.   What a joy to get 35 cents for level 4 images at maximum size.

I'm starting to think it might finally be time to drop these guys, as the percentage of subs is increasing, and I'm only undercutting myself at other sites.

DT's system of 'levels' used to be a reason to stick with them because you felt you had someplace to go, you'd see sales for higher prices over time.  Now they've all but wiped out that advantage with the increasing sub sales.  Not much reason to be there if it's just another 35 cent sub site.   

Yet another uplifting post from Stockastic! I have absolutely no idea why you come here other than to constantly complain and to endlessly declare "the end of the microstock world is nigh" ... which it isn't.

Putting things in perspective, DT are still the top 3rd or 4th highest earning agency for most and, for me anyway, their RPD is the highest of any other microstock agency. On subs they may pay slightly less than SS but they are still higher than FT (even at Emerald) and also Thinkstock.

dbvirago

« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2013, 18:42 »
0
Yeah, their RPD is good, but like the OP, my sales come in waves. A rash of subs, then a series of 11-17+ credit sales, and then of course, the few days of nothing. Except for the occasionally anomaly, they are usually my #2.

« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2013, 18:46 »
+2
These cycles are normal and how DT operates.  Serban came in here one time to explain that the only fair way to give everyone an even chance is to "position files" favorably for a period (probably 1-2 weeks) then it changes back.  So it is common to see a week or two of subs, then a week or two of OD's not because I say so, but because Serban said so.

« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2013, 18:52 »
0
My RPD for the past twelve months is $1.24.

« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2013, 18:57 »
0
My RPD for the past 12 months is 1.72, I have no complaint.

« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2013, 19:41 »
0
My RPD over the last 13 months is $2.21. No problem for me although I haven't actually been inspired enough to upload to them for over two years. Those silly 'similars' rejections irked me somewhat.

dbvirago

« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2013, 10:42 »
0
These cycles are normal and how DT operates.  Serban came in here one time to explain that the only fair way to give everyone an even chance is to "position files" favorably for a period (probably 1-2 weeks) then it changes back.  So it is common to see a week or two of subs, then a week or two of OD's not because I say so, but because Serban said so.

Makes sense. Thanks for explaining it.

« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2013, 12:18 »
0
These cycles are normal and how DT operates.  Serban came in here one time to explain that the only fair way to give everyone an even chance is to "position files" favorably for a period (probably 1-2 weeks) then it changes back.  So it is common to see a week or two of subs, then a week or two of OD's not because I say so, but because Serban said so.

Interesting (if true).  So on DT, "every dog has his day" and only long-term averages are meaningful.   

« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2013, 12:56 »
0
These cycles are normal and how DT operates.  Serban came in here one time to explain that the only fair way to give everyone an even chance is to "position files" favorably for a period (probably 1-2 weeks) then it changes back.  So it is common to see a week or two of subs, then a week or two of OD's not because I say so, but because Serban said so.

Interesting (if true).  So on DT, "every dog has his day" and only long-term averages are meaningful.

I think that's a fair way to summarize it.

« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2013, 15:21 »
+1
Send me that "joy" if you're not happy with it, I'm not getting anything on DT  :(

« Reply #13 on: April 27, 2013, 19:32 »
0
Send me that "joy" if you're not happy with it, I'm not getting anything on DT  :(

I make some sales, a small fraction of what I get on SS.   My real complaint is that the trend is downward, but they have a 6-month lock-in on your images.  They've been cutting commissions and pushing subs.   If they really go nuts and cut commissions further, or make some other screwy deal, they get to keep selling our photos for 6 months even if they're severely undercutting other sites.   As I understand it, they could cut their prices to 1 cent and we'd still be stuck for 6 months.   Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
« Last Edit: April 27, 2013, 19:49 by stockastic »

« Reply #14 on: April 27, 2013, 20:10 »
0
Send me that "joy" if you're not happy with it, I'm not getting anything on DT  :(

I make some sales, a small fraction of what I get on SS.   My real complaint is that the trend is downward, but they have a 6-month lock-in on your images.  They've been cutting commissions and pushing subs.   If they really go nuts and cut commissions further, or make some other screwy deal, they get to keep selling our photos for 6 months even if they're severely undercutting other sites.   As I understand it, they could cut their prices to 1 cent and we'd still be stuck for 6 months.   Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

That delete option, i believe, is 6 months after you upload.  So any images over 6 months old you can delete.  If you haven't uploaded there for more than 6 months you can delete everything.

« Reply #15 on: April 27, 2013, 22:03 »
0
That delete option, i believe, is 6 months after you upload.  So any images over 6 months old you can delete.  If you haven't uploaded there for more than 6 months you can delete everything.

Oh ok, that's not as bad then, but still pretty bleak.

« Reply #16 on: April 28, 2013, 00:19 »
0
These cycles are normal and how DT operates.  Serban came in here one time to explain that the only fair way to give everyone an even chance is to "position files" favorably for a period (probably 1-2 weeks) then it changes back.  So it is common to see a week or two of subs, then a week or two of OD's not because I say so, but because Serban said so.

Interesting (if true).  So on DT, "every dog has his day" and only long-term averages are meaningful.

I think that's a fair way to summarize it.

I definitely see this patern with my own sales.  None, subcriptions, then credit sales.  No totally that way but enough to see the patern.

I don't mind it being that way instead of stuck at the back of every exclusive, company, factory, agency, whole owned content that happens at other agencies.

« Reply #17 on: April 28, 2013, 06:14 »
0
These cycles are normal and how DT operates.  Serban came in here one time to explain that the only fair way to give everyone an even chance is to "position files" favorably for a period (probably 1-2 weeks) then it changes back.  So it is common to see a week or two of subs, then a week or two of OD's not because I say so, but because Serban said so.

Interesting (if true).  So on DT, "every dog has his day" and only long-term averages are meaningful.

I think that's a fair way to summarize it.

I definitely see this patern with my own sales.  None, subcriptions, then credit sales.  No totally that way but enough to see the patern.

I don't mind it being that way instead of stuck at the back of every exclusive, company, factory, agency, whole owned content that happens at other agencies.

Exactly.  It is a pretty fair way to do it I suppose.

« Reply #18 on: April 28, 2013, 10:08 »
0
I must have rotated up when the OP went down because I am having a BME there.  Still a lot of subs but also some decent credit sales.  Many of the subs were level 0 so it's good to get those ones moved up.  At least the subs sales help advance the levels so when you get credit sales they are for more - let's look on the bright side.  Next month I'll probably rotate back to the bottom but for now I am happy and DT is contending for #2 this month.

WarrenPrice

« Reply #19 on: April 28, 2013, 11:12 »
0
That delete option, i believe, is 6 months after you upload.  So any images over 6 months old you can delete.  If you haven't uploaded there for more than 6 months you can delete everything.

Oh ok, that's not as bad then, but still pretty bleak.

Isn't there another restriction?  I seem to remember that only a certain number of images can be disabled over certain periods of time -- even those that are over 6 months?
Could be wrong but there was a thread about this ... a long time past. @jsnover?

« Reply #20 on: April 28, 2013, 11:52 »
0
That delete option, i believe, is 6 months after you upload.  So any images over 6 months old you can delete.  If you haven't uploaded there for more than 6 months you can delete everything.

Oh ok, that's not as bad then, but still pretty bleak.

Isn't there another restriction?  I seem to remember that only a certain number of images can be disabled over certain periods of time -- even those that are over 6 months?
Could be wrong but there was a thread about this ... a long time past. @jsnover?

I'm not jsnover, but here's the story from the horse's mouth:

Quote
Q I am a contributor, how do I close my account?

A You can disable all files approved more than six months ago at any time. You are allowed to disable 30% of files uploaded in the recent six months however 70% must be kept online for six months from their approval date. You can disable the remaining 70% after six months pass. Once the files are disabled, nobody is able to view/access them, except for you. The files will remain in our offline database for 12 months until all liabilities (refunds, potential copyright infringements, etc) concerning them are cleared off, then they are automatically deleted.

The account cannot be closed until the above requirements of the contract expire. Accounts with activity (license/download) cannot be deleted, as they can be referenced internally in regards to past licensing. However, they can be blocked from public access.
More account closure details can be found in our Terms and Conditions.

« Reply #21 on: April 28, 2013, 12:47 »
0
not much to say regarding DT beside disappointment, less than 600$ in the last 13 months (1.04$ rpd)

« Reply #22 on: April 28, 2013, 15:02 »
0
Quote
Q I am a contributor, how do I close my account?

A
The account cannot be closed until the above requirements of the contract expire.

I hate this.  I hate the idea that you can't just close your account at any time and be done with them.  The 70% thing just makes it more complicated.   

Maybe it's just me, but reading those "terms" now just makes me want to get the heck out and put all my stuff on another new site where the commissions and terms at least make sense.  DT now seems more complicated than the federal tax code.  Who needs all this?

« Last Edit: April 28, 2013, 15:07 by stockastic »

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #23 on: April 28, 2013, 15:10 »
0
Maybe it's just me, but reading those "terms" now just makes me want to get the heck out and put all my stuff on another new site where the commissions and terms at least make sense. 
You'd have to start selling your own work for that to be the status quo.
Even the best sites will have all the fuzzy legalese favouring them in some/all ways.

« Reply #24 on: April 28, 2013, 15:32 »
+1
None are perfect but some are a heckuva lot more straightforward than DT.   


 

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