MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => Adobe Stock => Topic started by: picture5469 on July 24, 2013, 10:03

Title: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: picture5469 on July 24, 2013, 10:03
Following their two price cuts in a year about one year ago and their most recent tactic of lowering the prices of unsold images it makes me question whether we need another deactivation day but this time for Fotolia.
I have around 1200 files with them.

What are other peoples thoughts?
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Ron on July 24, 2013, 10:08
There is no deactivation on FT, you need to delete the file. And I am not going to waste all the time I put in to get them online by deleting my portfolio. Sorry but I have had too many headaches to get those files online. I am sure I'll get voted down, but the frustration I have experienced with FT has been enough. They can do what they want, I am not going to remove anything.

6 votes down and counting, I assume all the down voters are going to delete all their images? If not, you are a hypocrite. Cheers
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: picture5469 on July 24, 2013, 10:09
Thats fine and its your choice. I'm just asking for opinions
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Mellimage on July 24, 2013, 10:18
I will go through my port and definitely delete some images - especially those that sell well and at higher prices at other agencies in order to avoid that FTs prices will undercut these prices... .
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: sharpshot on July 24, 2013, 10:24
I don't think enough people will be willing to do something that would make FT change their ways.  They're ruining their own business by following the bad moves istock has made.

I'm taking positive action now by mostly working on new photos with alamy.  I'm also going to do a lot of video clips for Pond5 soon.  They're the sites I like working with and have enough sales to keep me interested.  I stopped uploading to istock months ago and I'll now just leave my portfolio on FT and not add anything new.

Low commission percentages and low prices are crippling for contributors, I've thought for a long time that FT have been almost as bad as istock, now they've lost the almost.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: ShadySue on July 24, 2013, 10:35
Following their two price cuts in a year about one year ago and their most recent tactic of lowering the prices of unsold images it makes me question whether we need another deactivation day but this time for Fotolia.
I have around 1200 files with them.

What are other peoples thoughts?

Delete files only if it makes you happy. There is no evidence that D-Day had any effect whatsoever on iStock, but some people were very happy to take certain files out of possible abuse on other sites.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: lisafx on July 24, 2013, 10:53

Delete files only if it makes you happy. There is no evidence that D-Day had any effect whatsoever on iStock, but some people were very happy to take certain files out of possible abuse on other sites.

Sad to say it, but I think this is right.  D-Day was a great idea, but didn't turn out to accomplish anything.  I don't plan on tilting at anymore windmills.  Just going to turn the majority of my efforts elsewhere. 
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: cthoman on July 24, 2013, 10:54
Done. What do I win?  ;D
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: luissantos84 on July 24, 2013, 11:07
Done. What do I win?  ;D

my respect, don't tell me that ain't good enough :D
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Ploink on July 24, 2013, 11:18
Just had my account closed, still feels strange after 8 years  :-\
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: WarrenPrice on July 24, 2013, 11:24
Just had my account closed, still feels strange after 8 years  :-\

Was it closed via email request?
Did you lose some money?
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Ploink on July 24, 2013, 11:26
Just had my account closed, still feels strange after 8 years  :-\

Was it closed via email request?
Did you lose some money?

I sent them an e-mail, have not got a reply yet. I just had a payout, so all is left in my account are $0.25. Don't spend it all at once, guys  ;D
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: cthoman on July 24, 2013, 11:31
Done. What do I win?  ;D

my respect, don't tell me that ain't good enough :D

It's been basically closed for 2 years, so I guess it wasn't good enough.  ;D
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Ron on July 24, 2013, 11:51
So no one is up for it, mostly saying the same as I do, yet my post gets voted down and one post is actually now a great post?

Its clearly personal. I'll take the hint.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: WarrenPrice on July 24, 2013, 11:57
So no one is up for it, mostly saying the same as I do, yet my post gets voted down and one post is actually now a great post?

Its clearly personal. I'll take the hint.

I think it is every man (woman) for themselves, Ron.  I tried deleting images and found it far too tedious.  I emailed a request to close my account ... and deposit my $43.99 balance in my PayPal account.

Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Ron on July 24, 2013, 12:19
So no one is up for it, mostly saying the same as I do, yet my post gets voted down and one post is actually now a great post?

Its clearly personal. I'll take the hint.

I think it is every man (woman) for themselves, Ron.  I tried deleting images and found it far too tedious.  I emailed a request to close my account ... and deposit my $43.99 balance in my PayPal account.

Did they do both things for you?
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Mellimage on July 24, 2013, 12:22

Delete files only if it makes you happy. There is no evidence that D-Day had any effect whatsoever on iStock, but some people were very happy to take certain files out of possible abuse on other sites.

Sad to say it, but I think this is right.  D-Day was a great idea, but didn't turn out to accomplish anything.  I don't plan on tilting at anymore windmills.  Just going to turn the majority of my efforts elsewhere.

At least this time the efforts all others make won't be put to nil by a certain bighead going exclusive with FT and then say something like "professionals deal with professionals"  ;)
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: WarrenPrice on July 24, 2013, 12:58
So no one is up for it, mostly saying the same as I do, yet my post gets voted down and one post is actually now a great post?

Its clearly personal. I'll take the hint.

I think it is every man (woman) for themselves, Ron.  I tried deleting images and found it far too tedious.  I emailed a request to close my account ... and deposit my $43.99 balance in my PayPal account.

Did they do both things for you?

Have to wait.  Email was sent this morning (US time).
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Ron on July 24, 2013, 12:59
Ok, good luck.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on July 24, 2013, 13:05
I have no skin in this game (you can see other posts here about why FT wouldn't have me back after I returned to independence) but my suggestion is that people stop uploading there if they're not happy. Why give crappy agencies any new content?

A second thing to consider is deleting any files that get demoted to the low prices - why undercut yourself at another agency by selling an XXL or a vector for a breathtakingly pathetic 3 credits? Even cheapo agencies like 123rf (or iStock's "ValueBin for indie content" files) sell for more than that.

The days are long gone that FT will improve anything for contributors, but where they can make you some money, take it. Where they are actively hosing your files in the search and then as a result of their lack of ability to sell it, cutting the price, take the file away. If you think about it, it's really a big black mark for their reviewing system and their agency's sales capability that they're even having to do this :)
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: EmberMike on July 24, 2013, 13:37
...I don't plan on tilting at anymore windmills.  Just going to turn the majority of my efforts elsewhere.

Elsewhere in microstock or elsewhere away from microstock?
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: lisafx on July 24, 2013, 13:47
...I don't plan on tilting at anymore windmills.  Just going to turn the majority of my efforts elsewhere.

Elsewhere in microstock or elsewhere away from microstock?

Spending a lot more time pursuing things away from microstock.  My uploads are down from +/- 100 per month for a number of years,  to more like 30-40 per month.  Even that feels like a chore for so little reward....
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: flashon on July 24, 2013, 13:49

Delete files only if it makes you happy. There is no evidence that D-Day had any effect whatsoever on iStock, but some people were very happy to take certain files out of possible abuse on other sites.

+1
I am one of those happy folks - no longer need to deal with FT and IS - a great feeling.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: sharpshot on July 24, 2013, 14:49
I think the success of D-Day is hard to measure because we don't know how many buyers were persuaded to try the other sites.  There was a lot of bad publicity for istock.  My guess is that some have switched sites and to me that's a victory.

FT is such a low earner for me now, it's almost insignificant.  They have made a really bad move doing this and I can't see how it will possibly make them more money?  They're already making contributors leave and they will do all they can to get buyers to use other sites.  That's something istock and FT obviously have in common, they don't fully think through the consequences of treating their contributors so badly.  It baffles me why they can't see its a bad policy but hopefully one day it will dawn on them.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: WarrenPrice on July 24, 2013, 14:55
I think the success of D-Day is hard to measure because we don't know how many buyers were persuaded to try the other sites.  There was a lot of bad publicity for istock.  My guess is that some have switched sites and to me that's a victory.

FT is such a low earner for me now, it's almost insignificant.  They have made a really bad move doing this and I can't see how it will possibly make them more money?  They're already making contributors leave and they will do all they can to get buyers to use other sites.  That's something istock and FT obviously have in common, they don't fully think through the consequences of treating their contributors so badly.  It baffles me why they can't see its a bad policy but hopefully one day it will dawn on them.

Didn't a former executive at iS move into a management/executive position at Fotolia?

Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: djpadavona on July 24, 2013, 15:02
Sad to say it, but I think this is right.  D-Day was a great idea, but didn't turn out to accomplish anything. 

I need to respectfully disagree with you here, Lisa. You are correct that we probably can't do anything to change the ways of the agencies which treat us poorly. But you accomplish 100% of what you wish to accomplish when you take your business elsewhere. I deleted my images Fotolia a few years ago after the repeated "goal post movements" and their aggressive threats on independent forums to punish anyone who questioned them.

The result? I gave up my income with Fotolia immediately, but also gave up all the headaches which came with working with them. I have never once regretted it. Nor would I consider uploading there unless there was a complete sale of the company which brought in 100% new leadership. I don't trust them. I eventually replaced my Fotolia income by finding other outlets within stock, and other ventures which have nothing to do with photography.

The worst thing we can continue to do is to accept poor treatment. How do we feel about ourselves as people, when we allow others to treat us this way? This has nothing to do with the agency, and everything to do with us.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: brm1949 on July 24, 2013, 15:04
I just closed istock, might as well close this one out also. I've been concentrating on Alamy and probably should have from the beginning since my port is wildlife and nature. Haven't had any sales there yet but I'm sure I will in time. Also sending vids to shutterstock and pond 5.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Monty-m-gue on July 24, 2013, 15:07
D-Day may not have brought iStock to its knees - but they don't have the same general manager working there any longer. Maybe a co-oincidence, maybe not.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: halfshag on July 24, 2013, 15:13
Didn't a former executive at iS move into a management/executive position at Fotolia?

Garth Johnson if I remember correctly.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: borg on July 24, 2013, 15:13
There is no effect of deactivation, we saw that before!

Only thing what you can is to try to redirect customers to better deal for you, Symbiostock (if you have), or to other still friendly agencies...
If you announce that you stopped to send new images on iStock or Fotolia for example, on every place where you can (social networks,etc.), every day... That is 365 times per year... Which can be significant impact on their greed...
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: WarrenPrice on July 24, 2013, 15:27
There is no effect of deactivation, we saw that before!

Only thing what you can is to try to redirect customers to better deal for you, Symbiostock (if you have), or to other still friendly agencies...
If you announce that you stopped to send new images on iStock or Fotolia for example, on every place where you can (social networks,etc.), every day... That is 365 times per year... Which can be significant impact on their greed...

It's a joke; not them.  Us.  We'll continue to argue amongst ourselves while the agencies/stores/markets laugh at us.


Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Mellimage on July 24, 2013, 15:29
Didn't a former executive at iS move into a management/executive position at Fotolia?

Garth Johnson if I remember correctly.

And Dittmar, a former Fotolia member (Germany, Switzerland, Austria) moved onto istock/Getty - but Dittmar has left both by now, it seems.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: borg on July 24, 2013, 15:36
There is no effect of deactivation, we saw that before!

Only thing what you can is to try to redirect customers to better deal for you, Symbiostock (if you have), or to other still friendly agencies...
If you announce that you stopped to send new images on iStock or Fotolia for example, on every place where you can (social networks,etc.), every day... That is 365 times per year... Which can be significant impact on their greed...

It's a joke; not them.  Us.  We'll continue to argue amongst ourselves while the agencies/stores/markets laugh at us.

So, every answer to greedy agencies has to be on the personal level...
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: WarrenPrice on July 24, 2013, 15:46
Didn't a former executive at iS move into a management/executive position at Fotolia?


Garth Johnson if I remember correctly.


And Dittmar, a former Fotolia member (Germany, Switzerland, Austria) moved onto istock/Getty - but Dittmar has left both by now, it seems.


This is the one I was thinking of -- iStock Co-Founder.

http://www.microstockgroup.com/fotolia-com/co-founder-of-istockphoto-joins-rival-fotolia-as-north-american-president/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/fotolia-com/co-founder-of-istockphoto-joins-rival-fotolia-as-north-american-president/)

It seems iStock  are running Fotolia. 

Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: WarrenPrice on July 24, 2013, 15:51
There is no effect of deactivation, we saw that before!

Only thing what you can is to try to redirect customers to better deal for you, Symbiostock (if you have), or to other still friendly agencies...
If you announce that you stopped to send new images on iStock or Fotolia for example, on every place where you can (social networks,etc.), every day... That is 365 times per year... Which can be significant impact on their greed...

It's a joke; not them.  Us.  We'll continue to argue amongst ourselves while the agencies/stores/markets laugh at us.

So, every answer to greedy agencies has to be on the personal level...

??? Sorry,  I don't understand?

Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: melastmohican on July 24, 2013, 15:56
I think this is going to be next agency I stop uploading. Their uploading UI is very tedious and result are pathetic. I have around 200 images with no sales so maybe I should delete them too. I am doing this periodically when DT sends me email and it does not seem to affect me in any way.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: sharpshot on July 24, 2013, 16:00
There is no effect of deactivation, we saw that before!

Only thing what you can is to try to redirect customers to better deal for you, Symbiostock (if you have), or to other still friendly agencies...
If you announce that you stopped to send new images on iStock or Fotolia for example, on every place where you can (social networks,etc.), every day... That is 365 times per year... Which can be significant impact on their greed...

It's a joke; not them.  Us.  We'll continue to argue amongst ourselves while the agencies/stores/markets laugh at us.

So, every answer to greedy agencies has to be on the personal level...

??? Sorry,  I don't understand?
I think I understand.  Just because other people carry on supporting greedy sites doesn't mean we all have to.  I'm pleased I removed all my best images from istock.  I don't really care what other people did, it was the right thing for me to do.

I'll wait and see what happens with FT, not going to make a quick decision but I've lost all motivation to upload new images.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: ShadySue on July 24, 2013, 16:01
I just closed istock, might as well close this one out also. I've been concentrating on Alamy and probably should have from the beginning since my port is wildlife and nature. Haven't had any sales there yet but I'm sure I will in time. Also sending vids to shutterstock and pond 5.
My wildlife pics don't sell at Alamy, though I noticed that quite early on so send very little nature there now - there is a lot of competiton.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: brm1949 on July 24, 2013, 16:27
I just closed istock, might as well close this one out also. I've been concentrating on Alamy and probably should have from the beginning since my port is wildlife and nature. Haven't had any sales there yet but I'm sure I will in time. Also sending vids to shutterstock and pond 5.
My wildlife pics don't sell at Alamy, though I noticed that quite early on so send very little nature there now - there is a lot of competiton.

Ouch, well I'm still going to close out fotolia, they reject most of my stuff anyway. Shutterstock does well for my port.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: cthoman on July 24, 2013, 16:37
I think I understand.  Just because other people carry on supporting greedy sites doesn't mean we all have to.  I'm pleased I removed all my best images from istock.

That's pretty much how I feel about it now. I can't babysit everybody in the industry, but I can certainly control where my files go. It may be a longer term strategy, but I think it will pay off in the end.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: gillian vann on July 24, 2013, 16:38
I like the idea of deleting good files that sell well elsewhere, but,
*sigh* more work for no return!
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: ShadySue on July 24, 2013, 16:41
I just closed istock, might as well close this one out also. I've been concentrating on Alamy and probably should have from the beginning since my port is wildlife and nature. Haven't had any sales there yet but I'm sure I will in time. Also sending vids to shutterstock and pond 5.
My wildlife pics don't sell at Alamy, though I noticed that quite early on so send very little nature there now - there is a lot of competiton.

Ouch, well I'm still going to close out fotolia, they reject most of my stuff anyway. Shutterstock does well for my port.
That's interesting, but I see you are based in the US. I have some colleagues who shoot (mainly) UK wildlife and submit to SS and sell badly there. Two of them in particular are extremely accomplished and have won several wildlife competitions between them. Possibly the US market is bigger (?)

It may also be that the US wildlife supply on Alamy is relatively small, so you have less competition (?)
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Bang-images on July 24, 2013, 16:50
Cool all deactivate, that will help me sell more ;-) 

I thing it's  good idea chop the price and then when you've sold 3 bump it back up again. Just look at most peoples ports and see how many pages have no sales!! great files too! just put up at the wrong time, this game is pot luck sometimes.  I'm all in favor of the new short term price drop. better than DT who give your files away fro free after four years of no sale!!!

Not like istock!! they don't tell Big Porkers!

:-)

Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: lisafx on July 24, 2013, 17:04
  I'm all in favor of the new short term price drop. better than DT who give your files away fro free after four years of no sale!!!



Hyrons, you don't have to give away your files on DT after they haven't sold for 4 years.  You can select to disable them instead. 
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: lisafx on July 24, 2013, 17:06
Sad to say it, but I think this is right.  D-Day was a great idea, but didn't turn out to accomplish anything. 

I need to respectfully disagree with you here, Lisa. You are correct that we probably can't do anything to change the ways of the agencies which treat us poorly. But you accomplish 100% of what you wish to accomplish when you take your business elsewhere. I deleted my images Fotolia a few years ago after the repeated "goal post movements" and their aggressive threats on independent forums to punish anyone who questioned them.

The result? I gave up my income with Fotolia immediately, but also gave up all the headaches which came with working with them. I have never once regretted it. Nor would I consider uploading there unless there was a complete sale of the company which brought in 100% new leadership. I don't trust them. I eventually replaced my Fotolia income by finding other outlets within stock, and other ventures which have nothing to do with photography.

The worst thing we can continue to do is to accept poor treatment. How do we feel about ourselves as people, when we allow others to treat us this way? This has nothing to do with the agency, and everything to do with us.

You're right Dan, maybe D-Day had more effect than I have seen.  For those whose motivation was just to disentangle themselves from Istock completely, I am sure it was a rewarding experience. 

For those that hoped Getty/Istock would modify some of their most abusive policies, it was a disappointment. 
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: rene on July 24, 2013, 19:11

Delete files only if it makes you happy. There is no evidence that D-Day had any effect whatsoever on iStock, but some people were very happy to take certain files out of possible abuse on other sites.

Sad to say it, but I think this is right.  D-Day was a great idea, but didn't turn out to accomplish anything.  I don't plan on tilting at anymore windmills.  Just going to turn the majority of my efforts elsewhere.
I'm not so sure. We hoped an immediate effect, like step back and it didn't happen. I think D-Day and all bad noise around iStock (and FT) contribute to their decline.
I'm in charge of 5 designers and very often we hire PR agencies. I asked them to NOT select any images from iStock/Getty for our projects. I couldn't tell them that the reason was I don't like them. I used objective arguments like: too expensive, bad performance of research engine, IT problems and high risk of images been deleted. Yes, I told them that many contributors were unhappy and the risk to not find selected images. I can guarantee you that this argument speaks.  If after the whole and long process of validation you try to download the high resolution version and it's not more there...
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: PaulieWalnuts on July 24, 2013, 19:29
Didn't a former executive at iS move into a management/executive position at Fotolia?


Garth Johnson if I remember correctly.


And Dittmar, a former Fotolia member (Germany, Switzerland, Austria) moved onto istock/Getty - but Dittmar has left both by now, it seems.


This is the one I was thinking of -- iStock Co-Founder.

[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/fotolia-com/co-founder-of-istockphoto-joins-rival-fotolia-as-north-american-president/[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/fotolia-com/co-founder-of-istockphoto-joins-rival-fotolia-as-north-american-president/[/url])

It seems iStock  are running Fotolia.


Looks like Patrick Lor moved on. He's the CEO for Dissolve http://www.dissolve.com (http://www.dissolve.com) which looks like video footage for $5. Yeech, $5?

ETA: Okay so looks like generic or leftover clips are $5. Better stuff is $50.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: WarrenPrice on July 24, 2013, 19:56
So no one is up for it, mostly saying the same as I do, yet my post gets voted down and one post is actually now a great post?

Its clearly personal. I'll take the hint.

I think it is every man (woman) for themselves, Ron.  I tried deleting images and found it far too tedious.  I emailed a request to close my account ... and deposit my $43.99 balance in my PayPal account.

Did they do both things for you?

@Ron,
Yes.  A very amicable email confirming my request and letting me know that a $1 fee would be assessed for transferring any balance of less than $50.  I'm happy.   8)
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: farbled on July 24, 2013, 20:03
So no one is up for it, mostly saying the same as I do, yet my post gets voted down and one post is actually now a great post?

Its clearly personal. I'll take the hint.

I think it is every man (woman) for themselves, Ron.  I tried deleting images and found it far too tedious.  I emailed a request to close my account ... and deposit my $43.99 balance in my PayPal account.

Did they do both things for you?

@Ron,
Yes.  A very amicable email confirming my request and letting me know that a $1 fee would be assessed for transferring any balance of less than $50.  I'm happy.   8)

For me as well just now.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: pancaketom on July 24, 2013, 20:20
I think that we are all small enough potatoes that deleting our ports won't make much difference to the agencies - at least at first. BUT, it can do a lot for your own self esteem etc. That is the reason to stop uploading or delete things, when you are no longer happy living with the situation the way it is.

In the long run maybe the sites that cause many people to do this will lose business.

Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Ploink on July 25, 2013, 00:00
Just had my account closed, still feels strange after 8 years  :-\

Just to follow up: They were pretty quick about it. I sent them a sitemail yesterday afternoon and my photos are gone today. In true Fotolia style they sent me an e-mail that a new message was there for me and that I should login to read it - which of course I can't anymore (login, not read ;)).

Ah, but it probably would only say how much they miss me and how sorry they are to see me go...  ;D
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Beppe Grillo on July 25, 2013, 01:56
Just utopia

I can imagine that the best situation could be that all the 33074 members of this forum have photos on FT and all these 33074 will participate to the D-Day.

But I am not sure that:
- All these users have images on FT (even half)
- All these users will read this thread (maybe 10%)
- All the ones reading this thread will do it (maybe 10%)

The contributors on FT should be around 2.5 millions now (I did not found the exact figure)
So, supposing this, we get 33 074/2 500 000 = 1.3%

This could be the best situation, 1.3% of FT users will delete 10% of their photos…
Will FT care about this?

But now if we consider that only few users participating to this thread will do it……
just homeopathy…
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: borg on July 25, 2013, 03:03
There is no effect of deactivation, we saw that before!

Only thing what you can is to try to redirect customers to better deal for you, Symbiostock (if you have), or to other still friendly agencies...
If you announce that you stopped to send new images on iStock or Fotolia for example, on every place where you can (social networks,etc.), every day... That is 365 times per year... Which can be significant impact on their greed...

It's a joke; not them.  Us.  We'll continue to argue amongst ourselves while the agencies/stores/markets laugh at us.

So, every answer to greedy agencies has to be on the personal level...

??? Sorry,  I don't understand?
I think I understand.  Just because other people carry on supporting greedy sites doesn't mean we all have to.  I'm pleased I removed all my best images from istock.  I don't really care what other people did, it was the right thing for me to do.

I'll wait and see what happens with FT, not going to make a quick decision but I've lost all motivation to upload new images.
Exactly that! Thanks Sharpshot!

I don't want to delete any existing file on greedy agencies, that is my effort in past and it still will give me some money...
So, maybe it was weak investment at the end, but I don't have to work any more on that part of portfolio, it is passive part now.. There is no more wasted time, those images are already on the market!
So, why to delete those images (especially low-selling images), they still bringing me some money and deleting of them won't be even noticed from iStock point of view (0,000000000000000000001%).
But key for me is in promotion and new images...
My new images mean new investment of effort, money or time in future, so related with them I don't want bad deal any more!
I stopped upload on iStock, probably Fotolia is the next!
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: brm1949 on July 25, 2013, 05:06
Just had my account closed, still feels strange after 8 years  :-\

Just to follow up: They were pretty quick about it. I sent them a sitemail yesterday afternoon and my photos are gone today. In true Fotolia style they sent me an e-mail that a new message was there for me and that I should login to read it - which of course I can't anymore (login, not read ;)).

Ah, but it probably would only say how much they miss me and how sorry they are to see me go...  ;D

Closed my account also and can't read their last message either. Hope they send my balance soon.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: cidepix on July 25, 2013, 06:17
they recently reduced the price for all vectors from 8 to 5

I have had enough with them..

that is why I stopped uploading.. I might as well delete all my files as soon as what I earn from my personal sites surpasses the amount I earn from fotolia.. (I am almost there..)

but I must add that, if there is a deactivation day I will delete all my files immediately to support the cause.. so I am all for it..
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: lisafx on July 25, 2013, 12:05
I noticed something has changed at FT.  Yesterday, when I was going through my files to see which ones had been downgraded, the prices were 1,1,2,2,3,3.  Today the same images are 1,2,3,4,5,6, etc. 

Was there a policy change? 
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Ron on July 25, 2013, 12:17
I noticed something has changed at FT.  Yesterday, when I was going through my files to see which ones had been downgraded, the prices were 1,1,2,2,3,3.  Today the same images are 1,2,3,4,5,6, etc. 

Was there a policy change?
Yes, also been said that images with 3 sales will automatically be set back to the lowest standard selling price
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: lisafx on July 25, 2013, 12:21
I noticed something has changed at FT.  Yesterday, when I was going through my files to see which ones had been downgraded, the prices were 1,1,2,2,3,3.  Today the same images are 1,2,3,4,5,6, etc. 

Was there a policy change?
Yes, also been said that images with 3 sales will automatically be set back to the lowest standard selling price

Thanks Ron.  Interesting news. 

As an emerald, I am still having to go through manually to reset eligible images to the 2 credit base I have them set at. 

Oh well, some progress is better than none. 
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: brm1949 on July 28, 2013, 14:43
Just had my account closed, still feels strange after 8 years  :-\

Just to follow up: They were pretty quick about it. I sent them a sitemail yesterday afternoon and my photos are gone today. In true Fotolia style they sent me an e-mail that a new message was there for me and that I should login to read it - which of course I can't anymore (login, not read ;)).

Ah, but it probably would only say how much they miss me and how sorry they are to see me go...  ;D

Closed my account also and can't read their last message either. Hope they send my balance soon.
[/quote


Received payment via paypal today from fotolia. That was quick. They kept 1.00
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: WarrenPrice on July 28, 2013, 15:03
So no one is up for it, mostly saying the same as I do, yet my post gets voted down and one post is actually now a great post?

Its clearly personal. I'll take the hint.

I think it is every man (woman) for themselves, Ron.  I tried deleting images and found it far too tedious.  I emailed a request to close my account ... and deposit my $43.99 balance in my PayPal account.

Did they do both things for you?

Have to wait.  Email was sent this morning (US time).

Giving credit where it is due -- Fotolia has closed my account and my balance was just transferred to my PayPal account.
Thanks and Adios.
 8)
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Lizard on July 28, 2013, 15:06

Delete files only if it makes you happy. There is no evidence that D-Day had any effect whatsoever on iStock, but some people were very happy to take certain files out of possible abuse on other sites.

Sad to say it, but I think this is right.  D-Day was a great idea, but didn't turn out to accomplish anything.  I don't plan on tilting at anymore windmills.  Just going to turn the majority of my efforts elsewhere.

you sure about that ?  ;D

 I got the feeling that the direction they are headed is somehow not the direction they have planned, or in the way they planned  and if the industry market is pretty much same sized  every buck not spent there is most probably spent somewhere else.



Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on July 28, 2013, 15:07
  D-Day was a great idea, but didn't turn out to accomplish anything.  I don't plan on tilting at anymore windmills.  Just going to turn the majority of my efforts elsewhere.

But ... didn't you see? It wasn't a windmill, it was a giant! We were like the forces of Hussein ibn Ali at the battle of Karbala, or the Light Brigade at Balaclava.
And it resulted in the expulsion of Sean Locke which, looking back, while it might be terrible for him still leaves a deep wound in iStock's image.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: lisafx on July 28, 2013, 18:02
Okay, you guys win!  I guess although we didn't knock the giant down, maybe we gave him a kick in the shins at least ;)
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: picture5469 on July 28, 2013, 18:06
Okay, you guys win!  I guess although we didn't knock the giant down, maybe we gave him a kick in the shins at least ;)
I think enough damage was done. Looks like they have had to change lots of things.
Title: Re: Do we need a deactivation day on fotolia?
Post by: Noedelhap on July 30, 2013, 12:08
So no one is up for it, mostly saying the same as I do, yet my post gets voted down and one post is actually now a great post?

Its clearly personal. I'll take the hint.

Stop worrying about those hearts or getting votes down, it's not like they're worth anything. But if it's any reassurance, I voted you up because I didn't think your post was bad.