Author Topic: iStock ELs not paying properly? (Read 41905 times)

ShadySue · « **Reply #75 on:** November 04, 2010, 12:30 »

Speculation:
Maybe iStock contacted former buyers with huge deals.
Does the USA/Canada have no notion of 'fully informed consent'? That contributers can sign up based in the information available on the site, then find that loads of credits have been sold cheaper than they were told?

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #76 on:** November 04, 2010, 12:51 »

I got the same thing, on 3 ELs for a price around $.70 a credit.

madelaide · « **Reply #77 on:** November 04, 2010, 15:25 »

Quote from: fotomatt on November 04, 2010, 11:50

Putting aside the option of an individual audit, is there not a regulatory entity that does audits in cases like this? Numerous contributors are angry, with many suspecting fraud.

I don't believe it's a fraud, it's possibly a marketing campaign using low prices. They can do it. And they will say they're doing what is best for us!

cdwheatley · « **Reply #78 on:** November 04, 2010, 16:28 »

Quote from: fotomatt on November 04, 2010, 11:50

Numerous contributors are noticing low royalties on ELs recently. This doesn't even take into consideration the 10% bonus issue. I spoke with Contributor Relations about one of mine and the explanation was that it was a large corporation who paid $.70 per credit. That makes sense if this were the case for a few contributors, but it seems this is the norm for a vast number of ELs now. The price has dropped significantly for everyone I've talked to. The low royalties on ELs is only one issue of non-payment.

Putting aside the option of an individual audit, is there not a regulatory entity that does audits in cases like this? Numerous contributors are angry, with many suspecting fraud.

Yep, I'm not totally satisfied. I've had at least five in the last month that were in the $30.00 range, normally they would be $70.00-$100.00. I've also had some that were in the $55.00-$70.00 range which sounds like 10% drop to me. I got a reply from support to "check the forum" for answers. The huge drop doesn't sound like 10% to me, it looks more like I've been paid as a non-exclusive at 20%, rather than 40%. Impossible to know whats going on though without the actual price per credit the buyer purchased. I hope this gets sorted out.

lisafx · « **Reply #79 on:** November 04, 2010, 16:56 »

Quote from: cdwheatley on November 04, 2010, 16:28

I got a reply from support to "check the forum" for answers.

Just brilliant. If anyone posts in the forums with concerns or complaints they are directed to "submit a support ticket", then if you do contact CR they direct you to "check the forums"!!??

caspixel · « **Reply #80 on:** November 04, 2010, 17:07 »

Wow. The way things are being handled over there looks really really dishonest. And the lack of any kind of communication makes it look like they are trying to hide things.

ShadySue · « **Reply #81 on:** November 04, 2010, 17:12 »

Quote from: lisafx on November 04, 2010, 16:56

Quote from: cdwheatley on November 04, 2010, 16:28
I got a reply from support to "check the forum" for answers.

Just brilliant. If anyone posts in the forums with concerns or complaints they are directed to "submit a support ticket", then if you do contact CR they direct you to "check the forums"!!??

Yup. I was told (after taking out the support ticket like I was told to) that they knew I was following the forum and that the matter had been resolved.
Well, I wouldn't count it as 'resolved' until we get our 10%s, at the very least, and preferably with the issues of transparency dealt with satisfactorily.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #82 on:** November 04, 2010, 17:34 »

Quote from: cdwheatley on November 04, 2010, 16:28

Yep, I'm not totally satisfied. ... Impossible to know whats going on though without the actual price per credit the buyer purchased. I hope this gets sorted out.

Stop by this thread asking for detailed sales data image by image and downloadable. I'm sure they can ignore the thread just as easily with lots of contributors saying "+1" but it can't hurt

Zephyr · « **Reply #83 on:** November 04, 2010, 21:46 »

Quote from: ShadySue on November 04, 2010, 17:12

Quote from: lisafx on November 04, 2010, 16:56
Quote from: cdwheatley on November 04, 2010, 16:28
I got a reply from support to "check the forum" for answers.

Just brilliant. If anyone posts in the forums with concerns or complaints they are directed to "submit a support ticket", then if you do contact CR they direct you to "check the forums"!!??
Yup. I was told (after taking out the support ticket like I was told to) that they knew I was following the forum and that the matter had been resolved.
Well, I wouldn't count it as 'resolved' until we get our 10%s, at the very least, and preferably with the issues of transparency dealt with satisfactorily.

I also was told by CR that it was resolved and given a link to Joyze's post. The reason I sent them a support ticket was because the thread was locked and I want my EL's corrected too. It isn't resolved until Istock credits our accounts.

traveler1116 · « **Reply #84 on:** November 07, 2010, 08:22 »

What dates were the ELs not being paid correctly for? I have 3 or 4 that seem low recently, one a few days ago. I would guess the issue is resolved but who knows, I haven't gotten any extra money or an email about this. Would it be sent to site mail? My one week ban has now turned into 2 months with no explanation yet and I have 3 sitemails that I can't read.

ShadySue · « **Reply #85 on:** November 07, 2010, 08:47 »

Quote from: traveler1116 on November 07, 2010, 08:22

What dates were the ELs not being paid correctly for? I have 3 or 4 that seem low recently, one a few days ago. I would guess the issue is resolved but who knows, I haven't gotten any extra money or an email about this. Would it be sent to site mail? My one week ban has now turned into 2 months with no explanation yet and I have 3 sitemails that I can't read.

I don't think the money's been paid out yet.
I sent a ticket in and got the reply that the matter has been 'resolved', referring to Joyze's post, which said:

"So, after some digging, we realized that this code was pushed early. We are going to roll the code back but I need to work with the dev team to determine when this will happen. To fix the error of our ways, we will be adding the 10% royalties on these Extended Licensing purchases into your account from the date the code went live until the date we get it fixed. This is for exclusive contributors only as they are only eligible for the additional 10% royalties on Extended licensing. We apologize for the inconvenience and if you have any further questions, please let us know."

To which Lobo added:
"This is the final word on this issue. Thanks for your patience, everyone. Go Giants." and locked the thread.

I haven't a clue what the Giant reference was about. Must be an injoke with Joyze or something.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #86 on:** November 07, 2010, 09:24 »

Quote from: traveler1116 on November 07, 2010, 08:22

What dates were the ELs not being paid correctly for? I have 3 or 4 that seem low recently, one a few days ago. I would guess the issue is resolved but who knows, I haven't gotten any extra money or an email about this. Would it be sent to site mail? My one week ban has now turned into 2 months with no explanation yet and I have 3 sitemails that I can't read.

From like October 1st - still going on. Or so.

donding · « **Reply #87 on:** November 07, 2010, 09:31 »

Quote from: ShadySue on November 07, 2010, 08:47

To which Lobo added:
"This is the final word on this issue. Thanks for your patience, everyone. Go Giants." and locked the thread.

I haven't a clue what the Giant reference was about. Must be an injoke with Joyze or something.

He's probably referring to the New York Giants NFL team or the San Fransisco Giants the baseball team that just won the World Series.

ShadySue · « **Reply #88 on:** November 07, 2010, 09:36 »

Quote from: donding on November 07, 2010, 09:31

Quote from: ShadySue on November 07, 2010, 08:47

To which Lobo added:
"This is the final word on this issue. Thanks for your patience, everyone. Go Giants." and locked the thread.

I haven't a clue what the Giant reference was about. Must be an injoke with Joyze or something.

He's probably referring to the New York Giants NFL team or the San Fransisco Giants the baseball team that just won the World Series.

And that was relevant to our concerns about ELs because ... ?
Doesn't seem like a very respectful comment while locking a thread. :-(

donding · « **Reply #89 on:** November 07, 2010, 11:15 »

Quote from: ShadySue on November 07, 2010, 09:36

Quote from: donding on November 07, 2010, 09:31
Quote from: ShadySue on November 07, 2010, 08:47

To which Lobo added:
"This is the final word on this issue. Thanks for your patience, everyone. Go Giants." and locked the thread.

I haven't a clue what the Giant reference was about. Must be an injoke with Joyze or something.

He's probably referring to the New York Giants NFL team or the San Fransisco Giants the baseball team that just won the World Series.
And that was relevant to our concerns about ELs because ... ?
Doesn't seem like a very respectful comment while locking a thread. :-(

Maybe the some of the koolaid drinkers like the Giants...who knows with these people anymore.

cathyslife · « **Reply #90 on:** November 07, 2010, 11:32 »

Quote from: caspixel on November 03, 2010, 00:25

So, the Extended License change happened September 27!!!!!!! More than a month ago. And iStock had absolutely no intention of fixing it until they got caught. You can't tell me they didn't notice. They knew EXACTLY what they were doing. Desperate. Greedy. Malicious.

Here's when caspixel said the date was, when the software...oops...accidentally got pushed through too early. I thought I remembered reading that date as well in the istock forum thread about it, but I could be wrong.

caspixel · « **Reply #91 on:** November 07, 2010, 12:24 »

Quote from: ShadySue on November 07, 2010, 09:36

Doesn't seem like a very respectful comment while locking a thread. :-(

And judging from their behavior (recent and not so recent) you would expect anything else?

caspixel · « **Reply #92 on:** November 07, 2010, 12:26 »

Quote from: cclapper on November 07, 2010, 11:32

Quote from: caspixel on November 03, 2010, 00:25
So, the Extended License change happened September 27!!!!!!! More than a month ago. And iStock had absolutely no intention of fixing it until they got caught. You can't tell me they didn't notice. They knew EXACTLY what they were doing. Desperate. Greedy. Malicious.

Here's when caspixel said the date was, when the software...oops...accidentally got pushed through too early. I thought I remembered reading that date as well in the istock forum thread about it, but I could be wrong.

I'm fairly certain it was joyze who said that. And it was in the thread that Lobo locked.

Seems it still isn't fixed and no one has been offered a refund. Someone said they probably wouldn't do it before Jan. 1. I bet they are right...if they ever fix it at all. My money is on the second. And they hope, just like the commission decreases, that everyone will calm down about it and go back to bending over.

Sadstock · « **Reply #93 on:** November 07, 2010, 15:06 »

Quote from: traveler1116 on November 07, 2010, 08:22

What dates were the ELs not being paid correctly for? I have 3 or 4 that seem low recently, one a few days ago. I would guess the issue is resolved but who knows, I haven't gotten any extra money or an email about this. Would it be sent to site mail? My one week ban has now turned into 2 months with no explanation yet and I have 3 sitemails that I can't read.

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

September 27
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=270252&page=3

Sadstock · « **Reply #94 on:** November 11, 2010, 22:04 »

Do you believe this is still going? Istock is still taking an extra 10% and has not indicated when they will fix the problem! I can't believe it could take this long to fix it, so I guess it really is about something else like perhaps padding the bottom line.

Makes me think of this quote from JJRD in late September "Let me add the following, however: if one day I do not believe in iStockphoto anymore, I will be out of here in a snap. Faster than a speeding bullet.

It is not the case at the very moment. I still believe in this place, just as on day one. I am in it for the long haul & for the well being of the entire community."

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=257202&page=3#post4869221

Are we at that point yet JJRD?

hoi ha · « **Reply #95 on:** November 12, 2010, 02:41 »

I broke down and just read the forum discussion on IS's boards - I didn't realise the magnitude of what was happening - or make that the magnitude of what was not happening on behalf of contributors on IS's part. I would be willing to put money down on a bet that H&F are shopping Getty - I can see no other explanation for their behaviour.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #96 on:** November 12, 2010, 10:46 »

I'm close to certain that the missing money will eventually be paid to contributors. However, over a week after the acknowledgment of the "inadvertent" rollout of the code that took away the additional 10%, the promised rollback hasn't yet happened. Why wasn't that done in a day or two at most?

They're just closing support tickets on this saying it's resolved and pointing to the forum thread. That's pretty ballsy given that the contributors don't yet have their cash.

If the money doesn't find its way back to contributors until after December 31st, perhaps that helps their books - a no-interest no-consent loan as it were.

And if you didn't notice it there was another thread about prices on newly approved (exclusive only, according to Lobo) vectors going up and down. Supposedly no sales were made at the wrong 2 credit (instead of 14 or 20) price, but contributors were asked to watch their royalties to be sure.

Losing the plot on tracking and payment of contributor earnings is a very worrying thing.

pet_chia · « **Reply #97 on:** November 12, 2010, 15:22 »

Quote from: jsnover on November 12, 2010, 10:46

...
If the money doesn't find its way back to contributors until after December 31st, perhaps that helps their books - a no-interest no-consent loan as it were.
...
Losing the plot on tracking and payment of contributor earnings is a very worrying thing.

In theory, the amount they owe to contributors is recorded as a liability and their books are no better than if they had paid up already. If they owe the money but are not counting it as a liability then this is the kind of thing that eventually trips companies up. Sooner or later they can't (legally) hide the weakness on their books and in this situation companies can have a hard, painful landing. In my experience, companies sometimes play these games and let the crap pile up off-balance sheet, and they're waiting for something big to happen in which they can finally reckon in all the junk without it being noticed by shareholders and analysts. Such as a blowout quarter, an abominably bad quarter, or a takeover.

lisafx · « **Reply #98 on:** November 12, 2010, 16:40 »

Quote from: hoi ha on November 12, 2010, 02:41

I broke down and just read the forum discussion on IS's boards - I didn't realise the magnitude of what was happening - or make that the magnitude of what was not happening on behalf of contributors on IS's part. I would be willing to put money down on a bet that H&F are shopping Getty - I can see no other explanation for their behaviour.

I doubt you'll find many here that would take that bet. Events just keep piling up that point in the direction of a sale.

keithpix · « **Reply #99 on:** November 12, 2010, 19:04 »

Today in the IS forum I suggested that contributors get together and contract some kind of ombudsman....or advocate. It was deleted by the moderator....which sucks big time. Do any of you photogs with IS know of any conversations or efforts to hire an advocate....someone to watch over our interests? It wouldn't cost much per contributor. Am I crazy or is this a good idea?

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Author Topic: iStock ELs not paying properly? (Read 41905 times)

ShadySue

Sean Locke Photography

madelaide

cdwheatley

lisafx

caspixel

ShadySue

Jo Ann Snover

Zephyr

traveler1116

ShadySue

Sean Locke Photography

donding

ShadySue

donding

cathyslife

caspixel

caspixel

Sadstock

Sadstock

hoi ha

Jo Ann Snover

pet_chia

lisafx

keithpix

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