Quote from: stockastic on November 22, 2013, 16:25

Quote from: Ron on November 22, 2013, 01:02
Something happened in July that killed sales. Period.

That seems to be the bottom line.  And apparently the epitaph.

For you maybe. For me Alamy is performing how I would expect it to perform and I am pleased with the results.

I like Alamy. I am an iStock exclusive but currently seldom uploading there because new content seems to be buried. I assume this will be fixed one day but meanwhile I am enjoying uploading RM to Alamy, improving the quality of my work, doing better stuff etc. I have recently started uploading stuff there which I would previously have hoped to send to E+. And as much as I like iStock I am actually considering pulling some content which never even got a view and trying it RM at Alamy instead.

I agree with what Ron says about people uploading multiple images of very little. But not everyone is like that. There are some great portfolios on Alamy too.

Quote from: bhr on November 22, 2013, 16:36

Quote from: stockastic on November 22, 2013, 16:25

Quote from: Ron on November 22, 2013, 01:02
Something happened in July that killed sales. Period.

That seems to be the bottom line.  And apparently the epitaph.

For you maybe. For me Alamy is performing how I would expect it to perform and I am pleased with the results.

I like Alamy. I am an iStock exclusive but currently seldom uploading there because new content seems to be buried. I assume this will be fixed one day but meanwhile I am enjoying uploading RM to Alamy, improving the quality of my work, doing better stuff etc. I have recently started uploading stuff there which I would previously have hoped to send to E+. And as much as I like iStock I am actually considering pulling some content which never even got a view and trying it RM at Alamy instead.

I agree with what Ron says about people uploading multiple images of very little. But not everyone is like that. There are some great portfolios on Alamy too.

Are you allowed to do that (bolded text)? I vaguely thought at one point that once it went to IS you couldn't send it elsewhere even if you removed it. Nice that you can have an outlet to work on even if IS is not performing for new uploads.

Alamy did very well for me last year (number 2 site), this year not so much, and last month was my first zero month there in a while. I have a few sales there this month for EL $ amounts, so not too shabby. Keywording is a bit of a pain and it would have been nice had they actually implemented the [ ] to group keywords. Still, it is another outlet and they haven't totally screwed us (yet?) like some others. They have been slowly eroding though.

Quote from: pancaketom on November 22, 2013, 18:01
Are you allowed to do that (bolded text)? I vaguely thought at one point that once it went to IS you couldn't send it elsewhere even if you removed it.

Yes I think it is okay. But I would obviously check the contract again before doing so. AFAIK it is only rejected content which is problematic. And I would not do this with any content which has RF sales or, even, reasonable views.

I like iStock as an outlet but whilst new content is buried and since they withdrew the E+ option it is frustrating sending them stuff which should be, at least, getting a view.

Quote from: bhr on November 22, 2013, 18:43

Quote from: pancaketom on November 22, 2013, 18:01
Are you allowed to do that (bolded text)? I vaguely thought at one point that once it went to IS you couldn't send it elsewhere even if you removed it.

Yes I think it is okay. But I would obviously check the contract again before doing so. AFAIK it is only rejected content which is problematic. And I would not do this with any content which has RF sales or, even, reasonable views.

I like iStock as an outlet but whilst new content is buried and since they withdrew the E+ option it is frustrating sending them stuff which should be, at least, getting a view.

From what I remembered, you had to seek permission for each individual image. However, there is a new team, things may be different. Please let us know how it turns out.

Quote from: Freedom on November 22, 2013, 19:27
From what I remembered, you had to seek permission for each individual image. However, there is a new team, things may be different. Please let us know how it turns out.

My recollection is that this was for rejected content. Not for content which one chooses to deactivate oneself.

But (for goodness sake) please don't take my word for it. I am obviously going to have a thorough read of the agreement - or possibly even pay someone to read it for me. I think the agreement is likely to give the best objective answer.

Quote from: stockastic on November 22, 2013, 16:25

Quote from: Ron on November 22, 2013, 01:02
Something happened in July that killed sales. Period.

That seems to be the bottom line.  And apparently the epitaph.

July itself was dead for me, but from August on I seem to be back to four or five decent sales a month on 4,000 images. It's not great but it's still firmly "middle tier" as far as my sales go.

Here is their response to my complaint about uncleared payments from early July -

Hello Daniel

The time it takes for a sale to clear depends on the type of customer and if they've got a particular deal with us. We report sales in as they happen to contributors, unlike many other stock agencies who would only inform you when they've received funds.  This transparent system has great benefits for contributors, the down side is contributors are able to see uncleared sales. 

If you haven't seen the payment clear we haven't given up or forgotten about it, our Credit control team are still chasing and we'll update your account once we've collected payment

If there's anything else we can do for you, just give us a shout.

Thanks,

Rehana
Member Services


Sorry but that isn't good enough. I expected a weak response, and that is exactly what I received.

4 1/2 months is a ridiculously long period for a payment to clear, and I don't buy it. The idea that other agencies wait several months for checks to clear, or credit cards to process, etc., or for buyers to decide that they really want the image they ordered, is a little unbelievable. These days I expect nothing less from a stock agency than smoke, mirrors, and a whole lot of deflection.

I really don't think there is "anything else they can do for me", so I guess it is time to clear out my portfolio, wait a few years for the payments to clear, and then close the account permanently.

There is a fundamental difference between a prepaid (microstock) site and a post-paid agency. The clients of a post-paid agency will always delay payment for as long as they possibly can. Boosting cash-flow by delaying settlements must be in Economics 101. It ain't pretty but it's the way the world works.

Quote from: djpadavona on November 22, 2013, 20:17
I really don't think there is "anything else they can do for me", so I guess it is time to clear out my portfolio, wait a few years for the payments to clear, and then close the account permanently.

Why not take a deep breath before you do that ?

If you close the account you will never again see any new money from them. Granted some payments are slow. On the other hand they do some great sales too. My best single sale this year earned me (i.e. after deductions) $130 and was paid quickly.

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on November 22, 2013, 20:37
There is a fundamental difference between a prepaid (microstock) site and a post-paid agency. The clients of a post-paid agency will always delay payment for as long as they possibly can. Boosting cash-flow by delaying settlements must be in Economics 101. It ain't pretty but it's the way the world works.

There are people in this forum going on 1 to 2 years without payments clearing. Pushing cash flow numbers out beyond the fiscal year is nothing but financial chicanery. I wouldn't trust an investment in a company which did so. I just don't see where Alamy's pricing justifies this type of post-pay delay. Most of my sales are in the $20 to $50 range. It's really not worth waiting 6 to 24 months for.

Alamy is in no rush to collect money, since they give it all away to charity anyways. And when they need extra funding to open a new office, they lower the royalties.

Quote from: Ron on November 24, 2013, 13:38
Alamy is in no rush to collect money, since they give it all away to charity anyways. And when they need extra funding to open a new office, they lower the royalties.

I believe we can and should complain about royalties but certainly not the main issue at Alamy, they "pay" what? 2 (30%) to 3 (50%) times iStock right?

Two votes down for stating facts. Alamy themselves said they lowered royalties to fund the new office. When you vote down, at least sure its not obvious you vote down the person rather then the comment.

Are the people who wait so long 'nudging' Support? I contact them after six months and put a note in my diary for four weeks later, and I've only had to use the four-weeks-later reminder once. But I guess some buyers will be 'stickier' to catch up.
It also seems that certain distributors need nudging sometimes.

Quote from: Ron on November 24, 2013, 16:47
Two votes down for stating facts. Alamy themselves said they lowered royalties to fund the new office. When you vote down, at least sure its not obvious you vote down the person rather then the comment.

They did indeed say that, and it's also true that while they have said that their US office is doing very well, they haven't thought to restore the 5%.

Quote from: luissantos84 on November 24, 2013, 16:41

Quote from: Ron on November 24, 2013, 13:38
Alamy is in no rush to collect money, since they give it all away to charity anyways. And when they need extra funding to open a new office, they lower the royalties.

I believe we can and should complain about royalties but certainly not the main issue at Alamy, they "pay" what? 2 (30%) to 3 (50%) times iStock right?

You are mixing up things there. Complaining about lowering royalties is different than complaining about the height of the royalties.

Quote from: ShadySue on November 24, 2013, 16:48

Quote from: Ron on November 24, 2013, 16:47
Two votes down for stating facts. Alamy themselves said they lowered royalties to fund the new office. When you vote down, at least sure its not obvious you vote down the person rather then the comment.

They did indeed say that, and it's also true that while they have said that their US office is doing very well, they haven't thought to restore the 5%.

I know, thats why I also know the votes down are done out of spite.

Quote from: Ron on November 24, 2013, 16:49

Quote from: luissantos84 on November 24, 2013, 16:41

Quote from: Ron on November 24, 2013, 13:38
Alamy is in no rush to collect money, since they give it all away to charity anyways. And when they need extra funding to open a new office, they lower the royalties.

I believe we can and should complain about royalties but certainly not the main issue at Alamy, they "pay" what? 2 (30%) to 3 (50%) times iStock right?

You are mixing up things there. Complaining about lowering royalties is different than complaining about the height of the royalties.

no, I am not, I believe we should worry about agencies paying less than Alamy royalties, I wish all agencies were paying royalties as high as Alamy, I don't enjoy their metadata process and perhaps the lack of sales (consistency) but I am certainly fine with their royalties %, lowering to 50% isn't a good sign but still a few miles ahead comparing to all other agencies we are "happy" to work with

I think I know best what I should worry and complain about.

Quote from: Ron on November 24, 2013, 20:06
I think I know best what I should worry and complain about.

don't take it so personal man, will think twice before quoting you, I wasn't attacking you, just telling my opinion on what "we" should be concerned, will use I from now on

Its ok Louis, I wasnt offended, just explaining what I meant. You have a short fuse, I thought you knew by now I am on your side. It seems whenever someone doesnt agree with all you say they can expect a mouth full. Understand who your friends and enemies are and pick the right battles. Casualties through friendly fire must be avoided at all times. 

But that first sentence really isn't a FACT, is it?


Ron: "[size=78%]Alamy is in no rush to collect money, since they give it all away to charity anyways. And when they need extra funding to open a new office, they lower the royalties...."[/size]

Quote from: Ron on November 24, 2013, 16:47
Two votes down for stating facts. Alamy themselves said they lowered royalties to fund the new office. When you vote down, at least sure its not obvious you vote down the person rather then the comment.

Quote from: ShadySue on November 24, 2013, 16:47
Are the people who wait so long 'nudging' Support? I contact them after six months and put a note in my diary for four weeks later, and I've only had to use the four-weeks-later reminder once. But I guess some buyers will be 'stickier' to catch up.
It also seems that certain distributors need nudging sometimes.

I nudged them, and posted their reply. They gave a standard cut-and-paste response, pretty much out of the Agency playbook. My account will be closed within 2 months, but I will probably have this uncleared balance to deal with for the next year or so.

Quick question - I believe it is this month that the payment threshold is lowered (end Nov). I'm at $150 cleared - but it's not coming up in the balance of account section as due? That's not the norm when you were over the old threshold. Anyone else the same? Does it mean I will get payed or not? Thanks...

Answered my own question by searching the Alamy forum - 'Yes, you'll be paid in the December payrun. The changes in the contract officially comes into force in 45 days time but we're working with these new rules with effect from the next pay run (beginning of December).'