Youre an idependant? you dont get anything for moving up a pinhole, as an indie, commission stays the same, doesnt it?

Youre an idependant? you dont get anything for moving up a pinhole, as an indie, commission stays the same, doesnt it?

Once upon a time, when all was 20% for independents, that was true. Now, you move up from 15% to 20% as you climb the RC ladder.

@KB

There is something that can be done - they can issue a manual payment the way they have for other site eff-ups. When the EL bonus was incorrectly removed months early, as an example. FWIW, I'd pursue this with contributor relations. I think they are contractually obligated to pay you the higher rate for the sales following you reaching that milestone, and I think it'd be worth arguing the point with them.

You might not win, but I do think it's important you don't just accept their initial "no" at face value. This is a bit like dealing with insurance companies that just say "no" to almost everything in the first place because they know that a huge portion of people will just let it go, thus saving them money.

[nostalgia mode]Many, many moons ago when I was a relatively new iStock contributor I had a very large jump in my balance one day. When I looked, there were six large sales of the same image, just seconds apart. I figured this had to be a misclick mistake on the buyer's part, so I contacted whatever contributor relations was called then to ask them to refund the duplicate sales. I got a reply back which included a comment that it was contributor attitudes like that that made the site a great place. How much things have changed since then[/nostalgia mode]

Hmmm.  Do you remember if there was a similar, unavoidable 'caching' issue when you moved down from 20%?

Ha, ha! 

Actually, I'm not an independent; not any more. I was one of those suckered in by the "grandfathering" promise. I signed an official grandfathering contract whereby I stated I'd become exclusive by Aug 1 (IIRC) and they stated they'd grandfather me for my next canister level. Of course, I thought I was being grandfathered for the commissions at that canister level -- silly me.

But come to think of it, my commission cut did not go into effect on Jan 1 -- wasn't it more like mid-month? So maybe this is their way of getting some of that back?

Youre an idependant? you dont get anything for moving up a pinhole, as an indie, commission stays the same, doesnt it?

Nope. We climb the impossible ladder just like the exclusives.

I don't blame you for being upset and I would suggest contacting CR for further discussion and to resolve any monies owing to you. I'm all for calling them on what they are doing wrong--and there are enough issues presently to do so--but to state they are intentionally stealing from you is ridiculous, not to mention libelous. just saying.

I don't blame you for being upset and I would suggest contacting CR for further discussion and to resolve any monies owing to you. I'm all for calling them on what they are doing wrong--and there are enough issues presently to do so--but to state they are intentionally stealing from you is ridiculous, not to mention libelous. just saying.

Well, I stated the facts as they were, so I don't think that can be considered libelous. It is intentionally stealing, and they admit it (they just use different words). 

Maybe their interpretation of 'immediately' refers to 'the new immediate', a close relative of 'the new trust'.
Or maybe it's a 'new kind of immediate' like the 'new kind of promise' (as in 'you will be grandfathered in').

Of course, it's shameful, but they seem to need to scrape every cent nowadays.

What? istock being dishonest again? I can't believe it!

When on the can system, they never paid for the time it took for the can to update.  That's just how it worked. You're not the first.

I don't have any old documents to back this up, but I don't recall anything saying that you'd get paid immediately. I think that language in the new rate schedule is what makes this different from before.

I wouldn't argue that it's likely they'll try to brush any request for payment  off, but the fact that you've gotten away with something for a long time doesn't make it OK. I think in the past contributors were more likely to overlook things like this because overall iStock was very fair. Lately - with the fraud clawbacks, EL payments messed up (and on and on) - things have become much more "letter of the law" from iStock's side.

He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword, as they say...

Regarding the profile pic - seemed like the only say to let people know I've been banned, rather than I'm suddenly thrilled to bits with everything iStock does

You can always try the BBB, worked for me and apparently a few others:

http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/everyone-with-a-complaint-about-istock-this-worked/msg194202/

Thanks, Lisa.

Regarding that, adding insult to injury, I was only 200 RCs shy of the next level last year (for this year). 200 RCs. You can imagine how that felt. 

You can always try the BBB, worked for me and apparently a few others:

http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/everyone-with-a-complaint-about-istock-this-worked/msg194202/

An interesting idea; thanks. Sounds like it might work.  But given some of the tactics we've heard employed from some other agencies, I'd be afraid of potential retaliation. I was hesitant to even start this thread, but couldn't stand it any longer!

I think I'll just eat it and forget it.

Regarding the profile pic - seemed like the only say to let people know I've been banned, rather than I'm suddenly thrilled to bits with everything iStock does

I had to go take a look...LOL! 

Quote from: Artemis on September 08, 2011, 14:07

Quote from: jsnover on September 08, 2011, 12:34

*snip*

Regarding the profile pic - seemed like the only say to let people know I've been banned, rather than I'm suddenly thrilled to bits with everything iStock does

They didn't ban you because of your comment in the "Feast" thread, did they?!
(that one really made me LOL)

Yes

I love that profile picture....it really gets the point across without saying a word!!!

KB I'd go with the better business bureau or at least threaten to turn them over if they don't treat you fairly. Sometimes it just takes saying the word "BBB" to get their attention and then they will do what you ask. If they don't then do it.

..or u could try this. Not sure if it will work, but no harm in trying.

My fear would be I might have the identical result:
A few days after complaining, my images were down.

 

Quote from: Microstock Posts on September 09, 2011, 03:18

..or u could try this. Not sure if it will work, but no harm in trying.

My fear would be I might have the identical result:
A few days after complaining, my images were down.

 

The contributor wanted their images down off TS (after already waiting 6 months), but this only happened a few days after complaining to the Better Business Bureau. In my opinion you have a perfectly legitimate grievance. You are owed that money.

I know, I was just kidding.

Except, I do have a fear of retaliation, unfounded though it might be. It just doesn't seem worth it for the money, or the principle.

But I do appreciate the suggestions and encouragement. A better person would pursue it further, I'm sure.

Maybe not a better person, but a richer person, who could afford any consequences.