Quote from: Sammy the Cat on February 07, 2018, 09:46
We understand that these changes have caused a lot of concern among Contributors but rest assured, the coming phase would be good news for Contributors.

OMG, bwahahahahaha they can't be serious. I can just imagine the execs sitting around the meeting table. "Okay so we need to reduce contributor commissions. Let's not tell them and when they eventually figure it out give them the old 'we have good news' line?" (everyone laughs)

Fast forward a couple months. "We're excited to announce we've launched some great changes that will benefit all contributors. We've adjusted (lowered) royalty percentages for contributors and have improved (raised the goal bar really high) contributor goal levels. This will benefit contributors (123rf) by encouraging you to contribute a higher quantity and quality work. You will make more (less) money through increased sales volumes (falling sales). We're proud to support our wonderful contributor community with these exciting changes.

FAQ

Q: How will this impact my income?
A: You will somehow miraculously against all mathematical theory make more money from reduced commissions and lower sales volume. Aren't you excited?

Q: Are my royalties being reduced?
A: Reduced is such a harsh word. We prefer to use the word "adjusted" which is much more pleasant and doesn't specify a reduction.

Q: How do I benefit from these changes?
A: There will be absolutely no benefit to you but we'll spin it so it sounds exciting like you'll somehow benefit.

Q: Can I opt out of these changes?
A: Absolutely. We believe in freedom of choice, fairness, and strong relationships with our contributors. You can request to close your account or if you prefer you can openly complain on the internet and we'll close it for you.

Humor aside, it will be interesting to see what the "good news" is.

They will make an announcement ONCE all the changes have been introduced - so they will tell us after we have already found out, good of them. I was regularly earning $200-$300 a month with them until about 18 months ago, now lucky to hit $75, and now they have cut levels again. Gone from level 5 at 50% to probably level 2 now on what, 30%?

Everybody loves surprises... Unless they are terrible surprises.

Quote from: cthoman on February 09, 2018, 16:49
Everybody loves surprises... Unless they are terrible surprises.

The timing of the announcement is also interesting. They could have held at 2017 rate for this year and then in 2019, based on the earnings, artists would be at the new rate. Instead they pulled the rug out from under contributors, without notice, and said, we'll be telling you what happened in a few months.

Or they could have announced in October that the 2018 rates would be adjusted based on 2017 sales. Instead they said nothing, made the change, and haven't explained anything except what some people have discovered. I'm happy I left. No terrible surprises from 123RF anymore.

Watch that 8.6 in the poll and see how you are earning more with the new plan. Anyone taking bets on the rise or fall of the number? 

Quote from: fotorob on February 09, 2018, 09:53
This might be a good time to remind of the last royalty cut stunt that 123rf pulled of some years ago:
http://www.microstockgroup.com/123royaltyfree-com/123rf-sharing-commissions-with-parent-company-inmagine/

We aren't the same company, just the same stock holders. No matter how they lie about the new levels, we're getting a cut in pay and they are making more money. We're being lied to again.

If the final result will be lower commission I will delete my portfolio. I am tired to be treaten like an idiot.
I will feel better and it will be completelly painless as I am earnig here 2% compared to SS.

Is it really too much to ask these companies to operate with a minimum baseline of common decency?  I'm also getting tired of the drama of deleting files, not uploading to certain agencies and trying to track all of the bad behaviour.  I've stopped uploading at 123. I have clients who use them and I'll be vigorously informing them of the bad behaviour.  If the "great news" is bad enough, I'll delete my port. Ever since they pulled the royalty credit stunt, I've put them in the same category as IS and DP and bad reputations are hard to shake.

3 weeks and still waiting for response from 123 support to my question about official commission rule.

I've stopped submitting to this agency, problem solved.

The usual out of control greed.
I am no longer submitting to them.
If the rates do fall, I will delete my portfolio.

. . . nuff said.

Quote from: rene on March 01, 2018, 10:20
3 weeks and still waiting for response from 123 support to my question about official commission rule.

I got a reply,

They have removed the 2nd and 4th Tier from the previous Contributor Commission Structure. This is phase 1. Phase 2 will bring good news. And they didnt announce phase 1, because they want to give a full announcement after phase 2, end of March

It all makes sense now...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zc4bGkU05o

Finally got back a canned reply to my email sent on Feb 2nd.

Quote from: Semmick Photo on March 01, 2018, 21:22

Quote from: rene on March 01, 2018, 10:20
3 weeks and still waiting for response from 123 support to my question about official commission rule.

I got a reply,

They have removed the 2nd and 4th Tier from the previous Contributor Commission Structure. This is phase 1. Phase 2 will bring good news. And they didnt announce phase 1, because they want to give a full announcement after phase 2, end of March

I am back in the first tier and I get $0.196 (0.216 - tax) for a download. I don't see how that will change in phase 2, so no more uploads to 123 from me.

I've actually started deleting images from 123 I've had enough let them go screw someone else 

I had actually started uploading to them again last year for the first time since their commission cuts because their RPDL was OK compared to other agencies.  Now I've been reduced to level 1, and selling images for 22 cents per subscription DL is too low so they are back off the list.  Will wait to see what else they come up with but I suspect this is the end for them.  I still get enough ELs and other higher DLs that I will leave my images there for now, but no new images will go there and I won't send the big backlog that built up after the last commission cut either.  Too bad - screwing contributors is not a good path to prosperity.

Exciting new: yesterday I have made a sale for $0.08!
123EF, the New iStock with 10 times less sales but with the same low commissions...

And the same again if we not united the agencies will kill one day our income completly.

Quote from: Chichikov on March 13, 2018, 06:10
Exciting new: yesterday I have made a sale for $0.08!
123EF, the New iStock with 10 times less sales but with the same low commissions...

Congrats. Very well done!

Quote from: Mantis on March 13, 2018, 12:43

Quote from: Chichikov on March 13, 2018, 06:10
Exciting new: yesterday I have made a sale for $0.08!
123EF, the New iStock with 10 times less sales but with the same low commissions...

Congrats. Very well done!

Oh, thank you so much Mantis! :p

Anyone had a march payment ? I had any in februrary and I'm waiting for march payment and yes i have more than 50$ ... !

Quote from: Julied83 on March 13, 2018, 14:26
Anyone had a march payment ? I had any in februrary and I'm waiting for march payment and yes i have more than 50$ ... !

They don't pay until the 15th

Quote from: Chichikov on March 13, 2018, 06:10
Exciting new: yesterday I have made a sale for $0.08!
123EF, the New iStock with 10 times less sales but with the same low commissions...

Are you opted in for partner sales? 

Quote from: trek on March 13, 2018, 16:09

Quote from: Chichikov on March 13, 2018, 06:10
Exciting new: yesterday I have made a sale for $0.08!
123EF, the New iStock with 10 times less sales but with the same low commissions...

Are you opted in for partner sales?

You know, I don't find where it is indicated on the site...
But I never had a sale for such a low amount before.

Quote from: Chichikov on March 13, 2018, 16:39

Quote from: trek on March 13, 2018, 16:09

Quote from: Chichikov on March 13, 2018, 06:10
Exciting new: yesterday I have made a sale for $0.08!
123EF, the New iStock with 10 times less sales but with the same low commissions...

Are you opted in for partner sales?

You know, I don't find where it is indicated on the site...
But I never had a sale for such a low amount before.

Check account settings.  Payment details.