It'll be interesting to see how sales change, if at all.  I know that since the day they turned it on my sales DL's are 50% compared to the last couple of months.  So I've gone from 20 a day pre-best match  tweak, to 12 after and now 4-6 each day over the last three days.  Not enough data I know but just sayin.  Give it a month then we'll start a DL discussion

Buyers!  how will they PERCEIVE, this new incredible DOT system?  from Plebs to Aristocracy?

1 dot.................................. plebian files, cheapo rubbish that can be found in a jumble sale.

2 dot.................................. slightly better, at least shot with average equipment. Still amateurs though

3 dot...................................at least this is shot by semi-pros.

4 dot...................................AHHH!!  this is where the worlds top-pros hang out!!  splendid!


well folks!  it does look like a hierarchy ladder, we know it isnt but in looking at any ladder it doesnt go downhill unless youve been at the top, it sure goes uphill.

I think I prefer collections-symbols before the dots.

Have a nice weekend.

It depends on the buyers - but you're right this is more about how buyers perceve value than actual value. There are a certain percentage of buyers who will buy something because its expensive and because someone else tells them its good without any appreciation of real value. That applies to all markets - food, clothes, cars, cameras, etc.

I'm sure most buyers don't really get the difference between what collections mean (Agency... something to do with the CIA??, Vetta - are those Italian files??), but basic price points are much simpler.

Quote from: lagereek on June 25, 2011, 00:07

Buyers!  how will they PERCEIVE, this new incredible DOT system?  from Plebs to Aristocracy?

1 dot.................................. plebian files, cheapo rubbish that can be found in a jumble sale.

2 dot.................................. slightly better, at least shot with average equipment. Still amateurs though

3 dot...................................at least this is shot by semi-pros.

4 dot...................................AHHH!!  this is where the worlds top-pros hang out!!  splendid!


well folks!  it does look like a hierarchy ladder, we know it isnt but in looking at any ladder it doesnt go downhill unless youve been at the top, it sure goes uphill.

I think I prefer collections-symbols before the dots.

Have a nice weekend.

Hi!

Just afraid it sends the wrong vibes, thats all, apparantly Im not alone in my thinking, its become an issue in the IS-forum as well!  at the moment it really looks like dot 1, is the cheapo leftovers, doesnt it, especially since the message is: cheaper files.
However, on the other scale it must puzzle buyers when they see that the pics on dot-4, are no better! then 1 and 2. which raise the question,  why are they more expensive?

Its fine balance, isnt it?

"m not alone in my thinking, its become an issue in the IS-forum as well!  at the moment it really looks like dot 1, is the cheapo leftovers, doesnt it, especially since the message is: cheaper files."

The customers have eyes to see, don�t they?

I mean, they click on the dots and immediatly get the results.

I really don�t think you can fool them to believe that the cheaper file is "amateur work" if it clearly isn�t.

Nobody has questioned why the company has had to introduce such a measure?.
...

Because it's been discussed on here for months.

There was a public holiday on Thursday in many European countries and many people took Friday off as well. So downloads are down for Europe.

Ouch I hadn't tried that bottom slider. That's nasty. Can't wait to read about sales results.

I think I prefer collections-symbols before the dots.

Buyers I've spoken with hate the collection symbols. Some don't even notice them or realize that they're a tool for determining an approximate price of an image from the search results page.

They've been screaming for a price filter, and now they've got it. I think it's long overdue and it can't hurt things at istock really. If anything this should keep some buyers from looking around for a new place to shop.

Quote from: nicmac on June 27, 2011, 09:10

Ouch I hadn't tried that bottom slider. That's nasty. Can't wait to read about sales results.

How do you think reading about other contributors sales will have any bearing or direct impact on yourself that the new filter has been a success or failure?

It's sole purpose is to help designers narrow down there search at the price point they're willing to pay.  It's only helpful to designers who use Istockphoto and hardly likely to bring more traffic/new clients to the site IMO.

I agree with Nicmac.  I will be interested to see how this impacts sales of contributors who have images at different levels. 

If it is being perceived by buyers as a quality slider, then independents might be reporting downed sales.  As a buyer of pretty much anything, I like to buy in the middle of the quality range.  I know I can't afford the most expensive, but don't want the cut rate junk either. 

OTOH if most of istock's buyers are extremely cost conscious, then we will probably see a lot of complaints from the folks with a high number of V/A files. 

I think the stats threads are very useful for watching how site changes affect contributors.  And yes, I do know that this is a tool for buyers, not contributors, but buyer behavior has a huge affect on contributors bottom line.   

youre right in a sense, as long as we undestand this tool is only there to aid buyers, we the contributors will not earn a dime more, in fact its got nothing to do with us. This is exclusivly for the buyers.

Well, only on the most obvious level. If buyers switch from Agency to contributors' files because they can find them again, instead of going off somewhere else, then obviously contributors will benefit. My sales look relatively healthy today, it may be the best day of the entire month.

Yes I have also had a couple of good days, especially yesterday but when I look whats been sold, its pretty much the same files which are always being downloaded.

Quote from: shank_ali_reborn on June 28, 2011, 16:25

(...) - BME for dls and $$, and almost reaching last June's dls, then suddenly after last Thursday, which was my BDY for dls, CRASH on Friday, and it's been dire since. Right back to Jan-Apr sales figures.
(...)

That's exactly my situation. Up to friday last week the sales were great and from that day on it just dried up. So I guess it's a best match tweak.