Author Topic: For non americans...:-) (Read 5082 times)

sam100 · « **on:** March 21, 2008, 04:45 »

Hi,

I was going over my spreadsheets from past and this year yesterday evening.
I couldn't go past the fact that lateley the value of our pictures devaluated by about 22 % compared to past year (around same period) mainly due to the increasingly dropping value of the dollar.

The fact that subscription sales on some sites where you can not opt out are increasing which also leads to lesser income per picture doesn't really contribute to the growth and our motivation.

With a portfolio growht with about 150 % over the year and just about an increase of income around 45 % i was wondering how much more we need to produce/upload to stay in the game, to keep it profitable for our time...?..

Any other thoughts.?..

Patrick.

Freezingpictures · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2008, 05:30 »

Not only that, the equipment costs are much higher over here. Just imagine, now it is for me totally worth to buy equipment in the US, pay the shipping costs, pay 19% tax on importing it to Europe (the tax goes on total of price of the equipment AND shipping), and than additional tax depending what equipment it is (Lens starting at 3% going up). I recently payed ~ 35% tax on an iPod which came from the US.

Because of the Dollar I am really glad Ft pays in Euro for me as well as for Panthermedia which goes well for me and pays in Euro as well.
However, I am not right now doing so much stock photography, but for us Europeans it means work harder and focus on quality which is by the way allways good

thesentinel · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2008, 05:52 »

As ever Your Mileage May Vary.

In the UK currently the dollar is less than 2% off where it was 12 months ago, though in November it was a more than that, yet my sales value per image sold has risen by 60%, since Istock, where I am exclusive, has very significantly raised prices and this does not seem to have reduced sales. I am also selling significantly more than this time last year though I've not really uploaded enough to keep my portfolio size increase in line with percentage of the overall increase of the total available files.

You also need to consider that where the dollar has dropped against local currencies the buyers money goes further than it did and they may buy more------- though just how sensitive buyers are to prices in the microstock band remains moot given the istock price increases not resulting in the predicted, by some, sales collapse.

vikavalter · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2008, 06:20 »

Quote from: Freezingpictures on March 21, 2008, 05:30

Not only that, the equipment costs are much higher over here. Just imagine, now it is for me totally worth to buy equipment in the US, pay the shipping costs, pay 19% tax on importing it to Europe (the tax goes on total of price of the equipment AND shipping), and than additional tax depending what equipment it is (Lens starting at 3% going up). I recently payed ~ 35% tax on an iPod which came from the US.

Because of the Dollar I am really glad Ft pays in Euro for me as well as for Panthermedia which goes well for me and pays in Euro as well.
However, I am not right now doing so much stock photography, but for us Europeans it means work harder and focus on quality which is by the way allways good

where do you buy your equipment? I'm thinking on upgrading but Ebay for a new camera feels a bit too risky.

Freezingpictures · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2008, 06:59 »

Well, actually I have not yet bought higher cost equipment from the US only indirectly through a German dealer who buys in the US and sells in Germany. I saved ~300 Euros on a 24-70L lens compared to the local shop prices. www.pixeluniversum.de (However it can take quite a bit to receive your stuff and it is very hard to contact them by phone. I bought two lenses, bot took much longer than advertised but they eventually came and work well.)

But you can even get it cheaper I believe if you directly order it at place like BH Photo in the US who seem to be cheap also for the US and reliable (there is advertism of this shop in this forum to the right). I once spent 100$ on them.

Phil · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2008, 07:10 »

Quote from: vikavalter on March 21, 2008, 06:20

Quote from: Freezingpictures on March 21, 2008, 05:30
Not only that, the equipment costs are much higher over here. Just imagine, now it is for me totally worth to buy equipment in the US, pay the shipping costs, pay 19% tax on importing it to Europe (the tax goes on total of price of the equipment AND shipping), and than additional tax depending what equipment it is (Lens starting at 3% going up). I recently payed ~ 35% tax on an iPod which came from the US.

Because of the Dollar I am really glad Ft pays in Euro for me as well as for Panthermedia which goes well for me and pays in Euro as well.
However, I am not right now doing so much stock photography, but for us Europeans it means work harder and focus on quality which is by the way allways good
where do you buy your equipment? I'm thinking on upgrading but Ebay for a new camera feels a bit too risky.

you have to watch customs for where you are.

I bought one off a guy in canada he had 50 listed but that was all he had. when I needed warranty he was nowhere to be found (emails bounced). However twice I have sent a lenses back to cameta camera and they were excellent about it both times and replaced them within a couple days of them receiving them. Prodigital2000? in canada have always been very good to deal with also.

Phil

leszek · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2008, 07:56 »

Well, I buy all my stuff from B&H in NY. No custom fees or taxes on photographic equipment here in Australi - just shipping + 10% GST (or VAT) if you prefer. Although in the last year the prices dropped significantly here - it still is a no-brainer buying from B&H, if one has some faith in Canon's quality system (worked for me so far, touch wood

)

Gregor909 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2008, 15:04 »

I am thinking about purchasing the Wacom Cintiq 12WX!
Any of you guys have an advice on where to buy it?

madelaide · « **Reply #8 on:** March 22, 2008, 17:11 »

B&H has a special delivery system to Brazil, which is actually smuggling, in my terms.

I never tried it (and I wouldn't risk it), but people say it works well and, in case of problems, they pay all extra fees.

In fact I never buy abroad anything that I might need to return. I think I only bought books so far, and software I download directly. I tried to buy some cute ponytail holders, but they wouldn't ship them to Brazil.

Regards,
Adelaide

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Author Topic: For non americans...:-) (Read 5082 times)

sam100

Freezingpictures

thesentinel

vikavalter

Freezingpictures

Phil

leszek

Gregor909

madelaide

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