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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: davidgoh on June 13, 2013, 22:39

Title: Which do you prefer: Agency-regulated pricing or self-regulated pricing?
Post by: davidgoh on June 13, 2013, 22:39
Hi MSG! Just wanted to open a discussion on file pricing. I've personally never been in an agency where I could set my own prices, so I really wouldn't know how it's like. I personally like the idea of self-regulated pricing, but I can't help but feel like it's a quick way for everyone to engage in a price war where no one wins.

Thanks for participating!
Title: Re: Which do you prefer: Agency-regulated pricing or self-regulated pricing?
Post by: Leo Blanchette on June 13, 2013, 22:43
For #1 there's a good option out there.  ;)
Title: Re: Which do you prefer: Agency-regulated pricing or self-regulated pricing?
Post by: tickstock on June 13, 2013, 22:45
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Title: Re: Which do you prefer: Agency-regulated pricing or self-regulated pricing?
Post by: cthoman on June 14, 2013, 00:24
I'd say either as long as it fits in with what I'm looking for. That said, it is nice to have a voice in how things are priced.
Title: Re: Which do you prefer: Agency-regulated pricing or self-regulated pricing?
Post by: ShadySue on June 14, 2013, 05:21
A mix. Looking at how my files have moved in the new iS collections, I would love to move a few up one or two collections and quite a number down one or two collections.
I wouldn't consider myself expert enough on the market to know where everything should go, though it only takes a minute to check if a particular subject is unique or rare.
Title: Re: Which do you prefer: Agency-regulated pricing or self-regulated pricing?
Post by: KB on June 14, 2013, 09:46
I used to prefer #1, but based on what I've seen happening to video clip prices on P5, there needs to be constraints put in place. Otherwise it's just a race to the bottom, which helps no one at all.
Title: Re: Which do you prefer: Agency-regulated pricing or self-regulated pricing?
Post by: heywoody on June 14, 2013, 12:44
Hi MSG! Just wanted to open a discussion on file pricing. I've personally never been in an agency where I could set my own prices, so I really wouldn't know how it's like. I personally like the idea of self-regulated pricing, but I can't help but feel like it's a quick way for everyone to engage in a price war where no one wins.

Thanks for participating!

Yeah, setting them yourself sounds attractive but then you wonder are you pitching it right / pricing yourself out of the market so you look around and see what others are doing, perhaps lowering them.  Then others look at you and maybe lower theirs and, in the end, everyone is worse off than with agency prices.

Title: Re: Which do you prefer: Agency-regulated pricing or self-regulated pricing?
Post by: cthoman on June 14, 2013, 12:51
Yeah, setting them yourself sounds attractive but then you wonder are you pitching it right / pricing yourself out of the market so you look around and see what others are doing, perhaps lowering them.  Then others look at you and maybe lower theirs and, in the end, everyone is worse off than with agency prices.

I think that logic is slightly flawed. The whole point of setting them is that you think you have a better idea of the value of your work than other artists or agencies.
Title: Re: Which do you prefer: Agency-regulated pricing or self-regulated pricing?
Post by: heywoody on June 14, 2013, 13:17
It's another variable.  It might work for those with unique or stand out work but would probably kill anyone uploading saturated subject matter.  I see several threads about dropping sales / best match issues.  Give the buyer a nice additional filter like price and it's game over because there is no shortage of choice.  Different of course on your own web site.

The other problem is that value really depends on whether anyone wants any particular image not whether it's good, bad or indifferent in itself.  I am totally useless at predicting what will sell and then it's usually not what I would consider the better ones.