As some of you may know I stopped reviewing (bouncing) there many months ago when they made what I said at the time was a fatal mistake.

I've also commented on the Yaymicro thread here about another reason that I think contributed to LO's downfall.

But the main reason that LO has failed is because they failed to do the most basic things that any business needs to survive, MARKETING,  I liked Bryan he is a decent guy but unfortunately I think his ego took the better of him, it was clear a long long time ago that his marketing strategy of not advertising wasn't going to work, many people told him this and yet he continued along the same line.

Let this be a lesson to any new site that tries to enter this market, if you want to sell something you need to tell potential buyers that you have something to sell.

I've never seen a site get so many accolades from it's users and yet they have failed, if somebody with good marketing experience took over LO they could easily make it a huge success.

I wish Bryan and all involved at LO all the best for the future.

I just read the statement more closely. Am I reading this right that if you aren't currently above $25 you essentially lose that money, or only convert it to buy photos? If so, looks like the Valentines Day $1 cash-out was their way of providing a last chance to cash out.

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on April 16, 2008, 11:01
I just read the statement more closely. Am I reading this right that if you aren't currently above $25 you essentially lose that money, or only convert it to buy photos? If so, looks like the Valentines Day $1 cash-out was their way of providing a last chance to cash out.

yes that is how i understood it as well

Doesn't it seem like there should be some option to delete your portfolio available so that for the next month buyers can't buy your photos with no chance of a contributor ever getting paid  because they are nowhere near the cash out point?

You can delete them individually but that looks like about the only option.

I'm struggling to contain my disappointment at NOT having spent 2 years uploading and investing time there...

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on April 16, 2008, 12:07
You can delete them individually but that looks like about the only option.

It might not work but I'd suggest people do what I've done on my profile page, then hopefully some potential buyers might go somewhere else, of course most potential buyers go somewhere else anyway because they've never heard of LuckyOliver, but then thats what advertising does for you.

My LO profile page

Quote from: holgs on April 16, 2008, 12:11
I'm struggling to contain my disappointment at NOT having spent 2 years uploading and investing time there...

That's exactly why I'm no longer jumping aboard new sites until after I see some sign of stability and growth. LO was very easy to upload to but it still took time which could have been used more productively elsewhere.

Quote from: holgs on April 16, 2008, 12:11
I'm struggling to contain my disappointment at NOT having spent 2 years uploading and investing time there...

well, in my case, it was worth the time (at least i think so - i got several payouts) - altho not as much as some other places but more than one or two other sites i'm on that are more well known. And, I met a lot of great people in the forums

LO definately had a great community and friendly supportive staff. Maybe it should have been somehow transitioned into making money from it's strength as a social community.

I like the fact that the site doesn't even have the common courtesy to tell it's contributors BEFORE it gets posted all over the message boards.  Jeez, what a way to find out!

Quote from: Seren on April 16, 2008, 12:54
I like the fact that the site doesn't even have the common courtesy to tell it's contributors BEFORE it gets posted all over the message boards.  Jeez, what a way to find out!

It was posted first on the LO blog and on every page of the LO site - before it was posted "all over the message boards" - you just happened to log in elsewhere first.

At least they gave 1 month's notice - many other sites have just disappeared from the face of the earth with no notice and no chance for the customers to use their credits and for the contributors to possibly get their money.

Mitch

I don't regret uploading there.  I had a few payouts and some of the ideas Bryan came up with have made me money on other sites.

Quote from: maunger on April 16, 2008, 12:58
It was posted first on the LO blog and on every page of the LO site - before it was posted "all over the message boards" - you just happened to log in elsewhere first.

No, not everyone looks at the sites each day.  For instance at the moment I am without my laptop so I just flicked onto this site at work.

An email should have been sent to ALL contributors at the same time as the blog being posted.

Also, ALL contributors should get their payouts.  Not just if they've made over X amount.  You cannot keep money that doesn't belong to you.

Quote from: RT on April 16, 2008, 12:20

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on April 16, 2008, 12:07
You can delete them individually but that looks like about the only option.

It might not work but I'd suggest people do what I've done on my profile page, then hopefully some potential buyers might go somewhere else, of course most potential buyers go somewhere else anyway because they've never heard of LuckyOliver, but then thats what advertising does for you.

My LO profile page

I can't see that working as the buyers will have credits to use up and they will lose money if they go elsewhere.

In a months time the buyers will have to go elsewhere.  I think it is sensible to try and let them know where they can buy your images when LO has gone.

Ditto on the "no marketing--no survival" comment earlier.

I suppose now we can look on the list to the right and write off all those we never see do any mainstream advertising.

So what happens to the image library?

i've been deleting mine through out the day

Quote from: michealo on April 16, 2008, 15:49
i've been deleting mine through out the day

I would... but their site doesn't work with my work computer running internet expolorer!

Oh well, I'll try and find a customer services email or something and send them one.  Last thing I want to do is sell a picture and not get paid for it.

So, what's a guy to do?

Open up each photo one at a time and delete it.  (Do I have time for this?)

Or hope that PT Barnum sweeps in and buys the carnival at a discount rate and lets the fat lady eat a few more twinkies?

I'm just surprized they didn't go straight out of business.   Normally a company goes into Chapter 11 - forgive me if that is not the correct U.S. term - and then into bankruptcy.  I'm just shocked that an Internet business is "winding down" instead of just dying.  They must have made at least something.

Remember all that talk about a photographer's collective?  Too bad we didn't have our poop together and we could have pounced on this. 

I just deleted 4 images and that was painful enough. 

I am deleting the best sellers - just in case

It is sad seeing them to turn out the lights. I enjoyed LO. I wish all the members of the LO team good luck for there future!

Quote from: Seren on April 16, 2008, 13:12
No, not everyone looks at the sites each day.  For instance at the moment I am without my laptop so I just flicked onto this site at work.

An email should have been sent to ALL contributors at the same time as the blog being posted.

Also, ALL contributors should get their payouts.  Not just if they've made over X amount.  You cannot keep money that doesn't belong to you.

Well - i've had photos on 2 other sites that went under and cash in my account - all the "notice" i got was that the site wouldn't load one day - and poof - all my money was gone and who knows what the heck happened to the image library! How do you think that made me feel?

Some people are just never happy no matter what.

I am thankful that LO is giving their customers a month to use their purchased credits. I can understand why some photographers would want to remove their images so they aren't sold in the mean time. And, I've asked for some clarification on their plans for payouts (if they have any yet).

Many fine people are suddenly going to be looking for jobs and new opportunities. And I feel sorry for them. They have my thoughts today.