Just a what-if question.
How many of us would be tempted and what kind of terms would they have to offer?
They may be missing a golden opportunity right now.
If the earnings ratings are any indication, they could possibly put a few more nails
in the competition's coffins.

Apparently the bloke that runs it doesn't think it's a good idea.
http://www.microstockgroup.com/shutterstock-com/oringer-blog-why-going-exclusive-as-a-microstock-photographer-doesnt-work

Quote from: Gel-O Shooter on March 12, 2013, 00:37
Just a what-if question.
How many of us would be tempted and what kind of terms would they have to offer?
They may be missing a golden opportunity right now.
If the earnings ratings are any indication, they could possibly put a few more nails
in the competition's coffins.

OMG~~What will it take for ppl to learn there lesson?!

Did you not hear abt the istock drama?

A lot of people are already pretty much exclusive there, so why pay them extra for that. Plus, as sad as it may sound, I don't really think SS can afford to pay contributors more.

No need for them to make such a drastic move any time soon. Their shares are on the climb....

Quote from: Gel-O Shooter on March 12, 2013, 00:37
Just a what-if question.
How many of us would be tempted and what kind of terms would they have to offer?
They may be missing a golden opportunity right now.
If the earnings ratings are any indication, they could possibly put a few more nails
in the competition's coffins.

You don't understand the SS model. They are not missing any 'golden opportunity'; quite the reverse. It is never going to happen because it wouldn't work. There is no value in exclusivity either to SS or to their customers. Therefore it cannot command the premium required to make it finacially viable. It didn't work for IS did it?

It worked very well for istock until Getty came along and ruined it.  I don't like contributor exclusivity but I do think image exclusivity is a good option.  SS is doing well in the low priced microstock market but I'd like to see them expand and take on the higher priced sites as well.  The main Getty site doesn't seem to have much competition and as they're worth a lot more than SS, it's obviously a lucrative market.  Not sure how SS can sustain their growth without trying the higher priced market.  That's why I'm still not feeling confident about the future, as the obvious way for them to increase profits when they slow down is to lower our commissions.