Author Topic: Increase in Credit Value at Fotolia? (Read 68366 times)

gostwyck · « **Reply #75 on:** February 02, 2010, 16:39 »

Quote from: WarrenPrice on February 02, 2010, 16:19

Good timing, Fotolia. All the bad PR is getting lost in the Getty,Thinktank,StockXpert,iStock Noise.

I really don't understand why people want to discuss comparatively minor issues such as those when Fotolia has pulled a stunt such as this.

Getting paid your rightful commissions is about as fundamental a requirement of any agency as you can ever have __ and yet most people seem to be just accepting it.

I've had my buddy who buys from FT check out his receipts. In December he bought a package of 40 credits for £30 which works out at £0.75 per credit __ that's exactly the same value as a contributor's earned credit.

Now he either has the option of buying 21 credits for £20 (at £0.95 per credit) or 55 credits for £50 (£0.91 per credit). The buyers credit has increased in value but the contributor's credit remains the same.

Please can anyone whose FT account is in other currencies (notably the $US and the Euro) share how much image packages cost in their region and also how much the earned credit is worth in their currency. The more information we share amongst ourselves the more we can work out what is going on.

Here's the full package options for the UK;

Buy credits in quantity
Buy in quantity and pay as little as £ 0.63 per credit!

21 credits = £ 20.00 (included 1 bonus credits - £ 0.95/credit)
55 credits = £ 50.00 (included 5 bonus credits - £ 0.91/credit)
115 credits = £ 100.00 (included 15 bonus credits - £ 0.87/credit)
180 credits = £ 150.00 (included 30 bonus credits - £ 0.83/credit)
325 credits = £ 250.00 (included 75 bonus credits - £ 0.77/credit)
700 credits = £ 500.00 (included 200 bonus credits - £ 0.71/credit)
1500 credits = £ 1,000.00 (included 500 bonus credits - £ 0.67/credit)
3200 credits = £ 2,000.00 (included 1200 bonus credits - £ 0.63/credit)

Danicek · « **Reply #76 on:** February 02, 2010, 16:45 »

The US offer seems to be here:

21 credits = $ 24.00 (included 1 bonus credits - $ 1.14/credit)
55 credits = $ 60.00 (included 5 bonus credits - $ 1.09/credit)
115 credits = $ 120.00 (included 15 bonus credits - $ 1.04/credit)
180 credits = $ 180.00 (included 30 bonus credits - $ 1.00/credit)
325 credits = $ 300.00 (included 75 bonus credits - $ 0.92/credit)
700 credits = $ 600.00 (included 200 bonus credits - $ 0.86/credit)
1500 credits = $ 1,200.00 (included 500 bonus credits - $ 0.80/credit)
3200 credits = $ 2,400.00 (included 1200 bonus credits - $ 0.75/credit

The Credit for contributor is worth $1. They should really pay us % of the price, i.e. if someone buys our image with credits worth $0.75, our percentage should be calculated from that.

From looking at the above prices it is not really 100% if it would result in bigger or smaller commission (for us in US zone).

Eireann · « **Reply #77 on:** February 02, 2010, 16:56 »

Off topic

Warren M,
I know I should have used a PM but I'm rushing out the door. No time.
Since you've recently started uploading to other sites (besides Fotolia), can I ask you to take a moment and have a look at Deposit Photos?
They're only new but they're offering a very good deal for photographers right now.
Disclaimer - I have no connection with DPhotos and no referral links. No personal financial motive.
Remember the 'Most favorite people in the world'?

This is why I'm doing it, I just think it might be a good idea, and I told Princess already.

Go to the Home page on this forum and click on 'Deposit Photos - affiliate' topic to learn more about it.
There's a buzz going on and plenty of info and plenty of links to click on and help others.

Actually, this goes for both Warrens. See what you think about it.
Have fun

Snufkin · « **Reply #78 on:** February 02, 2010, 17:13 »

Quote from: warren0909 on February 01, 2010, 13:09

Responses: Fotolia : All you need to be concerned with, Warren, is what you will receive, and that has not changed. Our credit packages have changed, that is all. Your payout stays the same.

Kind regards,

Fotolia Team U.K.
0208 816 72 84

it will have been a technical issue on the £1 - it must have been, while updating our website.

I have no answers for you as far as the other why why why's. We update our website sometimes, we change prices sometimes. We create new products sometimes. Why? Because we decide to

Kind regards,

Fotolia Team U.K.
0208 816 72 84

Unbelievable arrogance, this is extremely unprofessional. I have never seen anything like this. I'm stopping uploads there.
They suck as business partners and they suck as human beings.

Pheby · « **Reply #79 on:** February 02, 2010, 17:14 »

Here's the offer from the German page. It should be the same all over Europe:

21 Credits = 24,00 € (inklusive 1 Bonus-Credits - 1,14 €/Credit)

55 Credits = 60,00 € (inklusive 5 Bonus-Credits - 1,09 €/Credit)

115 Credits = 120,00 € (inklusive 15 Bonus-Credits - 1,04 €/Credit)

180 Credits = 180,00 € (inklusive 30 Bonus-Credits - 1,00 €/Credit)

325 Credits = 300,00 € (inklusive 75 Bonus-Credits - 0,92 €/Credit)

700 Credits = 600,00 € (inklusive 200 Bonus-Credits - 0,86 €/Credit)

1500 Credits = 1.200,00 € (inklusive 500 Bonus-Credits - 0,80 €/Credit)

3200 Credits = 2.400,00 € (inklusive 1200 Bonus-Credits - 0,75 €/Credit)

A contributor's credit is worth 1 Euro, at least that is what has been said. The figure in the grey box which states the contributor's country and currency isn't there anymore.

gostwyck · « **Reply #80 on:** February 02, 2010, 17:22 »

Thanks Stardust and Danicek __ very useful to have all the info to hand.

xst · « **Reply #81 on:** February 02, 2010, 17:25 »

Quote from: Danicek on February 02, 2010, 16:45

The US offer seems to be here:

21 credits = $ 24.00 (included 1 bonus credits - $ 1.14/credit)
55 credits = $ 60.00 (included 5 bonus credits - $ 1.09/credit)
115 credits = $ 120.00 (included 15 bonus credits - $ 1.04/credit)
180 credits = $ 180.00 (included 30 bonus credits - $ 1.00/credit)
325 credits = $ 300.00 (included 75 bonus credits - $ 0.92/credit)
700 credits = $ 600.00 (included 200 bonus credits - $ 0.86/credit)
1500 credits = $ 1,200.00 (included 500 bonus credits - $ 0.80/credit)
3200 credits = $ 2,400.00 (included 1200 bonus credits - $ 0.75/credit

The Credit for contributor is worth $1. They should really pay us % of the price, i.e. if someone buys our image with credits worth $0.75, our percentage should be calculated from that.

From looking at the above prices it is not really 100% if it would result in bigger or smaller commission (for us in US zone).

so if buyer paid for package of 325 credits or more - we are actually getting higher % then specified in our level?

borg · « **Reply #82 on:** February 02, 2010, 17:39 »

Quote from: leaf on February 02, 2010, 09:17

here is a link to the fotolia thread.
http://us.fotolia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=25159

it doesn't look like anyone there knows anything more

Hey fellows!

Did you see respond from support about this "question"!???

Danicek · « **Reply #83 on:** February 02, 2010, 17:41 »

Quote from: mocker on February 02, 2010, 17:25

Quote from: Danicek on February 02, 2010, 16:45
The US offer seems to be here:

21 credits = $ 24.00 (included 1 bonus credits - $ 1.14/credit)
55 credits = $ 60.00 (included 5 bonus credits - $ 1.09/credit)
115 credits = $ 120.00 (included 15 bonus credits - $ 1.04/credit)
180 credits = $ 180.00 (included 30 bonus credits - $ 1.00/credit)
325 credits = $ 300.00 (included 75 bonus credits - $ 0.92/credit)
700 credits = $ 600.00 (included 200 bonus credits - $ 0.86/credit)
1500 credits = $ 1,200.00 (included 500 bonus credits - $ 0.80/credit)
3200 credits = $ 2,400.00 (included 1200 bonus credits - $ 0.75/credit

The Credit for contributor is worth $1. They should really pay us % of the price, i.e. if someone buys our image with credits worth $0.75, our percentage should be calculated from that.

From looking at the above prices it is not really 100% if it would result in bigger or smaller commission (for us in US zone).

so if buyer paid for package of 325 credits or more - we are actually getting higher % then specified in our level?

Yes, the numbers seem to suggest that. However very high % of FT buyers are from Germany and the rest EU. These buy in Euros and Pounds. Whereas most contributors are probably in the $$ realm (I'm even though I registered from within EU where I also live now). This changes the % significantly.

borg · « **Reply #84 on:** February 02, 2010, 17:45 »

What!?

Is it mean that isn't so bad about this credit price changing!?

Danicek · « **Reply #85 on:** February 02, 2010, 17:46 »

Quote from: borg on February 02, 2010, 17:45

What!?

Is it mean that isn't so bad about this credit price changing!?

If that's meant to be a question for me, then I don't know. I just posted the credit prices I see in the US zone. The $1 fixed credit price for contributors seems to be someplace in the middle.

gostwyck · « **Reply #86 on:** February 02, 2010, 17:47 »

Quote from: mocker on February 02, 2010, 17:25

so if buyer paid for package of 325 credits or more - we are actually getting higher % then specified in our level?

Well that's the theory and that's what they are trying to fob us off with on their own forum __ but it doesn't hold water for me.

Btw, in the UK the buyer has to buy a package of 700 credits at £500 (about $800) before the price per credit drops marginally below what the credit value is to the UK contributor for commission purposes.

I simply can't see why anyone would buy the larger credit packages at all, apart from perhaps a very few really unusual circumstances, when a subscription would be so much cheaper.

In the UK you can buy 3200 credits for £2000 which would enable you to buy 457 Large images over the course of one year. Alternatively you could buy a Premium subscription for just £1125 which would enable you to download 9125 XXL images over the same year.

Why on earth would anyone buy the credit package over the subscription? Those large credit packages cost so much more than a subscription that it is difficult to believe that they sell __ so they must be there to either drive buyers to the subscription model and/or to obfuscate what FT have done to reduce our commissions.

loop · « **Reply #87 on:** February 02, 2010, 17:48 »

Quote from: Eireann on February 02, 2010, 16:56

Off topic

Warren M,
I know I should have used a PM but I'm rushing out the door. No time.
Since you've recently started uploading to other sites (besides Fotolia), can I ask you to take a moment and have a look at Deposit Photos?
They're only new but they're offering a very good deal for photographers right now.
Disclaimer - I have no connection with DPhotos and no referral links. No personal financial motive.
Remember the 'Most favorite people in the world'?
This is why I'm doing it, I just think it might be a good idea, and I told Princess already.

Go to the Home page on this forum and click on 'Deposit Photos - affiliate' topic to learn more about it.
There's a buzz going on and plenty of info and plenty of links to click on and help others.

Actually, this goes for both Warrens. See what you think about it.
Have fun

It seems to be always the same history. When contributors are desperately needed (without contributor there's no
business), site owners are friendly, nice, cool. The pay for uploads, FT also did it. They are supportive and they asnswer fast the questions and work out problems. Chad was your friend at the forums. At SS, at the very beggining you could talk as much as you wanted at their forums about competitors sites; when IS launched exclusivity all were good words and appeals to the community spirit to retain contributors. Also on DT. But when there's a enough supply of contributors, things change, canisters are made more difficult, al same places, as FT, comissions decrease, one, two times. It's just businness. If they do it and don't have any consequences besides of some angry posts at the forums, they will do it again in the future. No doubt.

gostwyck · « **Reply #88 on:** February 02, 2010, 17:56 »

Quote from: loop on February 02, 2010, 17:48

But when there's a enough supply of contributors, things change, canisters are made more difficult, al same places, as FT, comissions decrease, one, two times. It's just businness. If they do it and don't have any consequences besides of some angry posts at the forums, they will do it again in the future. No doubt.

We can change it. Without us they don't have a business. We have to stick together, not upload new images to them, re-evaluate exclusivity at Istock and, most importantly, DO NOT LET THEM FORGET THAT WE WANT OUR COMMISSIONS PAID IN FULL.

Don't give up. It may take time, possibly weeks or even months, but we will eventually get our commissions paid properly.

Red Dove · « **Reply #89 on:** February 02, 2010, 18:08 »

I'll probably get jumped on for this - but I don't know how many of you work for corporate entities where this is common practice. For example, my experience working with the number one and two computer companies in the world has been exactly this; whether hiking the price or reducing it, the quick and dirty way to increase your profit/share price always ends up by reducing opex ie. wages and salaries. I've seen top class people leave the company in question and nobody cares as long as Wall Street and London are happy.

And my cynicism extends to not believing the gold plus contributors will really leave Fotolia - it's bad for their business to write off a revenue stream in the belief they can generate it elsewhere in a short time frame.

Prove me wrong but that's been my experience.

loop · « **Reply #90 on:** February 02, 2010, 18:10 »

Well, I can't do anything, in fact I went to IS exclusivity years ago. Not that IS is perfect but, by comparision, it almost seems.

stockastic · « **Reply #91 on:** February 02, 2010, 18:13 »

Quote from: madelaide on February 01, 2010, 18:39

Actually I think they say a % of credits. Observe that all our accounting there is in credits, which only become $ when we ask for a payout. Not that I agree with this, but I think they have their wording correct.

I am not sure I agree with that.

Fotolia can charge a buyer whatever they want, and report a sale as an arbitrary number of "credits" to the contributor, but is there actually any fixed ratio between buyer dollars and credits? The ratio is apparently whatever Fotolia decides it is, on a given day, for a given buyer. If that's the case, they're not committing to any set commission as a percentage of the sale. They're just paying whatever they choose to pay.

gostwyck · « **Reply #92 on:** February 02, 2010, 18:13 »

Quote from: Red Dove on February 02, 2010, 18:08

And my cynicism extends to not believing the gold plus contributors will really leave Fotolia - it's bad for their business to write off a revenue stream in the belief they can generate it elsewhere in a short time frame.

Prove me wrong but that's been my experience.

I will be proving you wrong, on both counts, but your support for the campaign is needed too.

Just because something similar may have happened before ... somewhere else ... in another industry ... at another time ... does not mean it has to happen again here. Nor do we have to lie down and accept it. No sir.

warren0909 · « **Reply #93 on:** February 02, 2010, 18:23 »

Quote from: Eireann on February 02, 2010, 16:56

Off topic

Warren M,
I know I should have used a PM but I'm rushing out the door. No time.
Since you've recently started uploading to other sites (besides Fotolia), can I ask you to take a moment and have a look at Deposit Photos?
They're only new but they're offering a very good deal for photographers right now.
Disclaimer - I have no connection with DPhotos and no referral links. No personal financial motive.
Remember the 'Most favorite people in the world'?
This is why I'm doing it, I just think it might be a good idea, and I told Princess already.

Go to the Home page on this forum and click on 'Deposit Photos - affiliate' topic to learn more about it.
There's a buzz going on and plenty of info and plenty of links to click on and help others.

Actually, this goes for both Warrens. See what you think about it.
Have fun

Thanks Eireann,

Will defo take a look at the moment my time is spent getting my port up on two other sites but as soon as I get the chance I will join and may I just thank you on a personal level I felt so let down by Fotolia and your support (and others) made me stronger

Warren

madelaide · « **Reply #94 on:** February 02, 2010, 19:18 »

I am lost now.

They say credits cost from 75c in the US Fotolia. I understand there are different prices according to the credits package purchased by the buyer, right? This is what I read here:
http://en.fotolia.com/Member/BuyCreditsChooseAmount
And this is new, right?

But then we will be always receiving our share based on 1 credit = 1 USD (for those in US Fotolia like me). If so, it is not so outrageous. We lose in the cheap packages but win in the more expensive ones. Of course we can never know which package sells more (but we can bet it's the cheapest ones).

I felt much more harmed by the commission change months ago.

donding · « **Reply #95 on:** February 02, 2010, 19:42 »

There still isn't any Credit=(dollar amount) on the site. You'd think if they screwed up they would change it back on the site....
I have "28.586 credits".....now I'd like to know how they would figure that into $$$

Eireann · « **Reply #96 on:** February 02, 2010, 23:33 »

Warren,
I was so upset about this thing, I kept on thinking about it all night long.
It's not about money, (I don't make any), it's the way they replied to you.
That email made me feel like I was worth nothing.
I was (again) on the verge of stopping all uploads to Fotolia.
I would have done it in a second, I have nothing to lose.

Well, good news

You've got yourself an official apology. Well deserved and well done!
It's the second time you've made Fotolia think twice, for the good of everyone involved.
Check Fotolia's forum - Chad's 2 posts.
I have to tell you, after reading his posts I feel a lot better (I know it's silly, but I do!).
As if suddenly, I too matter.

There's power in your voice, Warren. ( I know why. More about it at some other time). Don't let them shut it up.

Now, let's wait for the changes. Will they be good for us?

Lizard · « **Reply #97 on:** February 02, 2010, 23:50 »

Quote from: stockastic on February 02, 2010, 18:13

Quote from: madelaide on February 01, 2010, 18:39
Actually I think they say a % of credits. Observe that all our accounting there is in credits, which only become $ when we ask for a payout. Not that I agree with this, but I think they have their wording correct.

I am not sure I agree with that.

Fotolia can charge a buyer whatever they want, and report a sale as an arbitrary number of "credits" to the contributor, but is there actually any fixed ratio between buyer dollars and credits? The ratio is apparently whatever Fotolia decides it is, on a given day, for a given buyer. If that's the case, they're not committing to any set commission as a percentage of the sale. They're just paying whatever they choose to pay.

I think you are right , in case when that credit for buyers and our credit are not valued the same , the % they pay us has no meaning whatsoever. What is that credit now , they are not paying the % of the image price
but % of something they invented. Whats next , 100$ credits for buyers and we get % of number 1 again ?

I wonder if that's even legal , maybe it is , but definitely its not nor ethical nor moral.

Phil · « **Reply #98 on:** February 03, 2010, 01:54 »

doesnt matter, found it

leaf · « **Reply #99 on:** February 03, 2010, 01:58 »

it looks like there is a new thread on fotolia now
http://us.fotolia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=25258

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Author Topic: Increase in Credit Value at Fotolia? (Read 68366 times)

gostwyck

Danicek

Eireann

Snufkin

Pheby

gostwyck

xst

borg

Danicek

borg

Danicek

gostwyck

loop

gostwyck

Red Dove

loop

stockastic

gostwyck

warren0909

madelaide

donding

Eireann

Lizard

Phil

leaf

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