Author Topic: Has Pond 5 lowered prices 50% down again? (Read 4130 times)

bestravelvideo · « **on:** July 01, 2021, 13:25 »

Let's start from the end:
I am now uploading a series of new videos.
New.
This means they are not uploaded to a single other agency, yet.
I set my own prices manually.
When I go to preview the clips (not reviewed yet) they already appear at 50 % down.
This also covers the answer that they might match prices.
The latest videos are not available at any other agency.
If I go to double the prices, they appear to the price tag I wish them to be.
In fact my latest two sales this week were at the prices I saet them to be.
It would just be simpler they come out and tell us we are not to be allowed to set our own prices anymore.
This price ladder game only tires us going up and down, setting new prices again and again.
Idedally Pond 5 would come out with a brief reply and explanation but not doing that is not doing justice to their past and credibility.
Please do not attempt to reply with just witty comments that do not add to the conversation.
Naturally I am not dictating you how to reply but I do not come here spending my time writing to feel better.
It will not and I do need the publicity.
I am just seeking for a logical answer to a stock world that I do not know if it is sane anymore.

fotoroad · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2021, 14:16 »

It was exclusive account ?

bestravelvideo · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2021, 19:35 »

No, the regular acount. (funny my exclusive ones have zero sales!)
I just had another sale reported now, that is in line with my adjusted prices.
I am not complaining about that, I just want to know what is going on and when do I have to stop re adjusting my prices to compensate for the 50 % auto price down.

kall3bu · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2021, 11:03 »

Did you try to ask the support from pond5?
I had questions in the same direction and also told them about artist who now double the price to get the real expected price and they answered me very detailed about their marketing strategy.
Just a side: It is also described in their FAQ which you accepted as non exclusive artist.
Best you ask them yourself.
I also did not know about it, because I guess nearly nobody is reading that FAQs before, right?
And: They lower the price only in special regions, not everywhere, but always change the regions, too, so it is difficult to tell you where they are cheaper right now.
Really confusing. But they also are okay, if you double the price instead. - but then the double price might shown in not selected regions and it could be to expensive for them

I was also surprised finding many images below 5$, mostly 3$ for XL and many just for 1$ all sizes. But strangely not one of my photos were offered for that low price even I have many set to the minimum price. The answer to that I did not understand and I was lazy to ask again. I guessed, it might be because I am exclusive with my videos on pond5 and so they also did no touch my photos? but they said NO! ALL photos and NOn exclusive footages are until 50% cheaper in special and changing regions. Confusing, but luckily I am not really involved.

bestravelvideo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2021, 11:07 »

Thanks for claryfing that.
As for my exclusive ones, I see my prices are not changed.

komikmiha · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2021, 06:58 »

Special and changing regions? I have two accounts on P5, one exclusive and one non-exclusive, both in same region. They changed the prices only on non-exclusive account. That is weird and I will not tolerate such behavior.

Asthebelltolls · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2021, 09:40 »

During the Industrial Revolution. In the manufacturing and Public sectors. Everywhere you look, when labor was mistreated by their employers, they unionized.
Microstock is NOT a partnership. Currently, we work for companies that dictate and control the rules and that will never change as long as the vast majority of contributors accept their terms. Terms that they can and will change to meet their best interests, not yours.
Shutterstock, on their home page, states "become a contributor" not "become a partner". Their tutorials often include a background statement suggesting that if you want to make more money expand your skills/profession into freelance work. Creating work for companies as a professional videographer and/or photographer.

https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/five-year-camera-technology-actually-utdated

I think the best thing we contributors can do in this forum is to let everyone know who is thinking about becoming a contributor is that the agencies are in control. Not you.

komikmiha · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2021, 10:47 »

As long video clips are my material I'm in control. If I disagree with a company I can remove all of my work. I did that once. I'll do it again if necessary.

Noedelhap · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2021, 13:24 »

Are you sure THIS option (see below) is unchecked in your account (go to Dashboard > tab Account > Preferences, scroll all the way down)

Optimized Marketplace Pricing
[ ] Yes! I would like for Pond5 to price my Content and modify my prices - up and/or down, to take advantage of trends in the marketplace to capture incremental revenue opportunities. Please see section 3 of the Contributor Agreement for additional details.