Author Topic: Anyone cancel exclusive contract yet? (Read 69014 times)

Sadstock · « **Reply #150 on:** May 08, 2011, 10:18 »

Quote from: ShadySue on May 08, 2011, 10:07

Just out of curiosity, did iStock contact any of those dropping the crown for a debriefing?
I remember once on here Lobo (as Pieman) saying that he regularly monitored those leaving exclusivity.
I'd have thought that if they were interested in maintaining the exclusivity program (tbh, I'm surprised they haven't just dropped it), they should get feedback on why people are leaving the program.

------------------------------------
Never heard a peep from them. Maybe because I spoke out enough in the forums, they knew why I was leaving.

jamirae · « **Reply #151 on:** May 08, 2011, 11:14 »

Quote from: Sadstock on May 08, 2011, 10:18

Quote from: ShadySue on May 08, 2011, 10:07
Just out of curiosity, did iStock contact any of those dropping the crown for a debriefing?
I remember once on here Lobo (as Pieman) saying that he regularly monitored those leaving exclusivity.
I'd have thought that if they were interested in maintaining the exclusivity program (tbh, I'm surprised they haven't just dropped it), they should get feedback on why people are leaving the program.

------------------------------------
Never heard a peep from them. Maybe because I spoke out enough in the forums, they knew why I was leaving.

Same here. I mentioned it in the forums. I dont think they care unless they see a drop in their own money. I am peanuts to them and they have better things to do than save peanuts.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #152 on:** May 08, 2011, 11:35 »

I haven't left yet but I haven't and don't expect to hear anything from iStock about terminating my exclusivity.

When they didn't contact me to ask about the fraud conference call even though I think there were many more "votes" for me than for some of the people who participated it was clear to me that I must have p*(#@d off a lot of people at HQ.

I think as long as they keep the visible exclusives - Lise, Sean, et al. - they'll not sweat loosing the rest of us.

Mantis · « **Reply #153 on:** May 08, 2011, 12:22 »

Quote from: jsnover on May 08, 2011, 11:35

I haven't left yet but I haven't and don't expect to hear anything from iStock about terminating my exclusivity.

When they didn't contact me to ask about the fraud conference call even though I think there were many more "votes" for me than for some of the people who participated it was clear to me that I must have p*(#@d off a lot of people at HQ.

I think as long as they keep the visible exclusives - Lise, Sean, et al. - they'll not sweat loosing the rest of us.

Sorry they may think about you in that way, Joan. I can honestly say that I personally appreciated your critique forum feedback on some of my tougher images, especially my composites. Time will certainly tell a compelling story over at Istock. I'm still making enough to keep uploading there but that is softening a bit more each day it seems. There is a thing called the law of diminishing returns and many are almost there it seems.

gclk · « **Reply #154 on:** May 08, 2011, 17:32 »

Quote from: jsnover on May 08, 2011, 11:35

I haven't left yet but I haven't and don't expect to hear anything from iStock about terminating my exclusivity.

When they didn't contact me to ask about the fraud conference call even though I think there were many more "votes" for me than for some of the people who participated it was clear to me that I must have p*(#@d off a lot of people at HQ.

I think as long as they keep the visible exclusives - Lise, Sean, et al. - they'll not sweat loosing the rest of us.

They really should be doing their best to look into the reasons behind each and every termination of exclusivity since they take more commissions from exclusives, and benefit from having work that can't be found elsewhere. Just watching contributors dropping exclusivity without doing their best to determine their motivations seems incrediby short sighted.

Like so many others, I voted for you and would have valued your opinion on what was said. But I suppose when they asked for our votes they didn't go so far as saying they'd take notice of them.

Pixel-Pizzazz · « **Reply #155 on:** May 09, 2011, 13:56 »

Quote from: jsnover on May 08, 2011, 11:35

I haven't left yet but I haven't and don't expect to hear anything from iStock about terminating my exclusivity.

When they didn't contact me to ask about the fraud conference call even though I think there were many more "votes" for me than for some of the people who participated it was clear to me that I must have p*(#@d off a lot of people at HQ.

I think as long as they keep the visible exclusives - Lise, Sean, et al. - they'll not sweat loosing the rest of us.

I was weighed down by the crown for far less time than you, but I think taking that plunge was worse. I've now completely divorced them, but I hope your renewed freedom to play the field with them serves you well. Wishing you the best JoAnn.

IMO, they can't afford to not care, when they are a mere 30 days away from losing big sales to the competition.

ann mc · « **Reply #156 on:** May 11, 2011, 20:14 »

This is what I wrote to IStockphoto... My exclusive application has been stuck on pending for days now. How long does the process take? I originally applied on April 26th 2011. It has been way over 48 hours.

(I would like to get my 30% back instead of this 17% I have now. That's why I reapplied)

The reply i got was this...

There is currently a hold on evaluating Exclusivity Applications. The Development Team is doing some maintenance within this area of the site.

You will need to wait until this routine maintenance is finished. After this point in time your Exclusivity Application will be reviewed. Unfortunately I do not have an ETA as to when this will be completed.

I don't understand what that means. Is this normal?

P.S sorry if this is in the wrong thread. Thank you pancaketom you are correct

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #157 on:** May 11, 2011, 20:20 »

There's a certain irony in your choice of thread - the one about people canceling their contracts

However the canceling has been taking longer than the 30 days, so it's amusing that now they're backed up on the input side as well.

To answer your question, it seems that almost all of the iStock site is suffering from bugs and other problems and that you've encountered yet another - assuming the "maintenance" is fixing bugs versus changing the rules for exclusives or exclusivity applications.

You really don't have much choice but to wait it out. No, it isn't normal the way things used to be at iStock, but unfortunately broken is the new normal.

Not sure if that was helpful, but I think it's the best I can do!

pancaketom · « **Reply #158 on:** May 11, 2011, 22:13 »

Quote from: ann mc on May 11, 2011, 20:14

This is what I wrote to IStockphoto... My exclusive application has been stuck on pending for days now. How long does the process take? I originally applied on April 26th 2011. It has been way over 48 hours.

(I would like to get my 35% back instead of this 17% I have now. That's why I reapplied)

The reply i got was this...

There is currently a hold on evaluating Exclusivity Applications. The Development Team is doing some maintenance within this area of the site.

You will need to wait until this routine maintenance is finished. After this point in time your Exclusivity Application will be reviewed. Unfortunately I do not have an ETA as to when this will be completed.

I don't understand what that means. Is this normal?

P.S sorry if this is in the wrong thread.

Broken is the new normal at IS- sad but maybe true.

but what I wanted to comment on was that if you are getting 17% there now as an exclusive you would get 30%, not 35% (as I understand the RC targets, I could be wrong).

eurobanks · « **Reply #159 on:** May 12, 2011, 18:32 »

I'm strongly considering dumping my crown, too. I appreciate everyone's input here in making my decision, which is a very difficult one. I've been exclusive to istock since 2007 and have never uploaded to other sites. It seems a bit daunting, but I'm tired of flatlining at istock. I feel like after all my hard work, my portfolio should be worth more than 20-30 downloads a day. I'll never know unless I try.

Good luck, Jo Ann! I'm pretty quiet on the istock forums, but I do read them. I appreciate you always watching we contributor's backs.

Risamay · « **Reply #160 on:** May 12, 2011, 19:06 »

Quote from: jsnover on May 08, 2011, 11:35

I haven't left yet but I haven't and don't expect to hear anything from iStock about terminating my exclusivity.

When they didn't contact me to ask about the fraud conference call even though I think there were many more "votes" for me than for some of the people who participated it was clear to me that I must have p*(#@d off a lot of people at HQ.

I think as long as they keep the visible exclusives - Lise, Sean, et al. - they'll not sweat loosing the rest of us.

Or, perhaps, unlike the others included, they were far less confident that you're allegiance could be bought (so to speak) on/with that call

Seems that many of those who were vocal before these calls are pretty well quiet now. You know?

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #161 on:** May 12, 2011, 19:58 »

Quote from: eurobanks on May 12, 2011, 18:32

I'm strongly considering dumping my crown, too. I appreciate everyone's input here in making my decision, which is a very difficult one. I've been exclusive to istock since 2007 and have never uploaded to other sites. It seems a bit daunting, but I'm tired of flatlining at istock. I feel like after all my hard work, my portfolio should be worth more than 20-30 downloads a day. I'll never know unless I try.

Good luck, Jo Ann! I'm pretty quiet on the istock forums, but I do read them. I appreciate you always watching we contributor's backs.

Thanks for the wishes - unlike you, I have been independent before, so it's just a matter of getting back in the saddle, so to speak

It took me a long time to come to a decision - I had to borrow Lisafx's fence a few times - but I just could no longer see much of a future there for me. There are plenty of independents here to provide you with information if you need more as you think things over.

I now have started uploading images to the two sites that will let me do that while I wait (i.e. can turn off the sales availability).

Lots of things have changed in the last couple of years, although mostly for the better - SS's Content editor is a very smart piece of software and I was very impressed this morning with the ability to add to and subtract from keywords in a selection of images which didn't have identical ones, but which had a common subset. Sounds small, but it's (a) really helpful when you have a phrase "Turks and Caicos Islands" which no one would ever type but is in the iStock CV and (b) indicates some thought went into these features instead of just doing something quick and dirty. So I was able to remove "Water's Edge" from a batch, leaving all the other keywords alone; add "Turks & Caicos". What a pleasure to have a nice surprise!

I had my old accounts turned on again but in the case of Stockfresh and Veer had to apply which felt a bit funny. Stockfresh accepted me within hours and I'm still waiting on Veer

21 days to go...

traveler1116 · « **Reply #162 on:** May 12, 2011, 20:10 »

Wow, I'm a little surprised Jo Ann. Good luck and of course keep us updated on how this is going for you, I'm sure a lot of people are very curious. Again good luck.

eurobanks · « **Reply #163 on:** May 12, 2011, 20:36 »

Jo Ann - thanks for providing more details. I have much to learn! I value your posts on your experience going back and forth between indendent and exclusive. Even though I've been agonizing over this for quite some time (as my husband just reminded me!), the simple answer is my numbers should be growning not shrinking. And that's just not happening at istock and it is never going to.

My biggest concern in making the decision is the model release. I've always used iStock's form, so does anyone know if the other sites will accept it? I'd hate to go back and ask my models to fill out new ones. Of course, I'll use Getty's form going forward, as I believe Lisafx recently recommended in another post.

Thanks!

Leslie

jamirae · « **Reply #164 on:** May 12, 2011, 23:05 »

Quote from: eurobanks on May 12, 2011, 20:36

Jo Ann - thanks for providing more details. I have much to learn! I value your posts on your experience going back and forth between indendent and exclusive. Even though I've been agonizing over this for quite some time (as my husband just reminded me!), the simple answer is my numbers should be growning not shrinking. And that's just not happening at istock and it is never going to.

My biggest concern in making the decision is the model release. I've always used iStock's form, so does anyone know if the other sites will accept it? I'd hate to go back and ask my models to fill out new ones. Of course, I'll use Getty's form going forward, as I believe Lisafx recently recommended in another post.

Thanks!

Leslie

yes they will! that was one of my major concerns as well. You just have to remove the istock logo and address from it. There is a generic model release (i think that is the getty one) that you can use with all the sites. I had been exclusive with istock since I started there in 2004 and dumped the crown after the September RC announcement. I saw the writing on the wall and I have no regrets.

lagereek · « **Reply #165 on:** May 12, 2011, 23:36 »

NO!!!

We are all P+ nowdays. We will all ride it out and wait.

eurobanks · « **Reply #166 on:** May 13, 2011, 08:09 »

yes they will! that was one of my major concerns as well. You just have to remove the istock logo and address from it. There is a generic model release (i think that is the getty one) that you can use with all the sites. I had been exclusive with istock since I started there in 2004 and dumped the crown after the September RC announcement. I saw the writing on the wall and I have no regrets.
[/quote]

Thank you!! That's a relief!

How are inspections at other sites? Are they as tough as istock or just different? It seems like every time I try to take a risk with processing on istock, I get rejected. Sometimes I just want to let the market to decide.

cathyslife · « **Reply #167 on:** May 13, 2011, 08:53 »

Quote from: eurobanks on May 13, 2011, 08:09

How are inspections at other sites? Are they as tough as istock or just different? It seems like every time I try to take a risk with processing on istock, I get rejected. Sometimes I just want to let the market to decide.

All of the sites seem to go through phases where most everything you submit is accepted and then wham, nothing gets approved. It seems to have a lot to do with the hiring of reviewers, but also, you must be diligent and submit only your best. If you think an image is borderline, it will likely get rejected.

It's best to focus on shooting, shooting and shooting. Then uploading and uploading and uploading. The advantage of submitting to multiple sites is that unless the image is totally horrible, it will likely get accepted at some, if not all. If it gets rejected at one site, you still have other chances to get it selling somewhere else.

There really isn't a set answer to give you about who is tough and who isn't because it changes all the time. And it's different for everyone. Such is the roller coaster ride of microstock.

edit: After a time, you will notice yourself what you can get by with at each place. I used to have problems at Shutterstock with shallow dof photos, but it doesn't seem to be an issue for me anymore. But others might say something different.

gostwyck · « **Reply #168 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:43 »

Quote from: jamirae on May 12, 2011, 23:05

yes they will! that was one of my major concerns as well. You just have to remove the istock logo and address from it.

DT won't accept IS MR's unless either the photographer or model is resident in Canada (the laws of which govern Istock's MR).

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #169 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:48 »

Quote from: gostwyck on May 13, 2011, 09:43

Quote from: jamirae on May 12, 2011, 23:05
yes they will! that was one of my major concerns as well. You just have to remove the istock logo and address from it.

Dreamstime won't accept IS MR's unless either the photographer or model is resident in Canada (the laws of which govern Istock's MR).

Recent IS MRs are non-country specific, mentioning US and other cities as to which laws apply.

gostwyck · « **Reply #170 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:57 »

Quote from: sjlocke on May 13, 2011, 09:48

Recent IS MRs are non-country specific, mentioning US and other cities as to which laws apply.

^^^ Thanks. I wasn't aware of that. It's a while since I've needed to fill one out!

Sadstock · « **Reply #171 on:** May 13, 2011, 10:08 »

Quote from: gostwyck on May 13, 2011, 09:43

Quote from: jamirae on May 12, 2011, 23:05
yes they will! that was one of my major concerns as well. You just have to remove the istock logo and address from it.

Dreamstime won't accept IS MR's unless either the photographer or model is resident in Canada (the laws of which govern Istock's MR).

------------------------------

I had a similar experence with dreamstime. I'm left with the choice of hunting up models that I have not talked with in years or not uploading my people images.

cathyslife · « **Reply #172 on:** May 13, 2011, 10:29 »

Quote from: gostwyck on May 13, 2011, 09:43

Quote from: jamirae on May 12, 2011, 23:05
yes they will! that was one of my major concerns as well. You just have to remove the istock logo and address from it.

Dreamstime won't accept IS MR's unless either the photographer or model is resident in Canada (the laws of which govern Istock's MR).

Since day 1 in microstock, I took the IS MR and altered it to remove the logo and address/country specific wording, making it generic, and have uploaded to SS, DT and BigStock without problems. I did the same for the property release.

Is this something new for DT, because I've uploaded both in the past few months.

Difydave · « **Reply #173 on:** May 13, 2011, 10:45 »

Quote from: eurobanks on May 12, 2011, 18:32

I'm strongly considering dumping my crown, too. I appreciate everyone's input here in making my decision, which is a very difficult one. I've been exclusive to istock since 2007 and have never uploaded to other sites. It seems a bit daunting, but I'm tired of flatlining at istock. I feel like after all my hard work, my portfolio should be worth more than 20-30 downloads a day. I'll never know unless I try.

Good luck, Jo Ann! I'm pretty quiet on the istock forums, but I do read them. I appreciate you always watching we contributor's backs.

"Flatlining" sums up my own feelings pretty well. Exclusive since June 2006. never uploaded anywhere else. Tired of adding more and more images for no extra reward ( Even less rewards after the various recent-ish knock backs)
As you say a very difficult decision to make though.

lagereek · « **Reply #174 on:** May 13, 2011, 10:55 »

Quote from: Difydave on May 13, 2011, 10:45

Quote from: eurobanks on May 12, 2011, 18:32
I'm strongly considering dumping my crown, too. I appreciate everyone's input here in making my decision, which is a very difficult one. I've been exclusive to istock since 2007 and have never uploaded to other sites. It seems a bit daunting, but I'm tired of flatlining at istock. I feel like after all my hard work, my portfolio should be worth more than 20-30 downloads a day. I'll never know unless I try.

Good luck, Jo Ann! I'm pretty quiet on the istock forums, but I do read them. I appreciate you always watching we contributor's backs.

"Flatlining" sums up my own feelings pretty well. Exclusive since June 2006. never uploaded anywhere else. Tired of adding more and more images for no extra reward ( Even less rewards after the various recent-ish knock backs)
As you say a very difficult decision to make though.

Hi Dave!

you got two options. Either stay and ride it out, hoping for the best, or get rid of the crown and do like the rest of us, P+. Its a tough call and I certainly wouldnt want to decide.

best Dave. Christian

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Author Topic: Anyone cancel exclusive contract yet? (Read 69014 times)

Sadstock

jamirae

Jo Ann Snover

Mantis

gclk

Pixel-Pizzazz

ann mc

Jo Ann Snover

pancaketom

eurobanks

Risamay

Jo Ann Snover

traveler1116

eurobanks

jamirae

lagereek

eurobanks

cathyslife

gostwyck

Sean Locke Photography

gostwyck

Sadstock

cathyslife

Difydave

lagereek

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