I noticed the account balance dropped by a couple of dollars or so, then I saw that I had an email.  Evidently a customer asked for a refund on a file they decided not to use.  No problem with that, but I am surprised that anyone would go to the effort of sending in a "signed and witnessed Certificate of Destruction" for a $20 refund.  My impression has been that the cost of microstock is a tiny fraction of the other costs of graphic art design (such as the artists' time).  Things must be getting pretty tough out there   

Evidently, to get their $20 back they provided a signed statement swearing on the beard of Zeus that they deleted the file.  Talk about counting pennies.

I'm just surprised they would give them a refund. It's not like they are bringing back a pair of blue jeans for a refund. A digital image can't really be returned and you have to rely on the word of the buyer...even though they sworn the deleted the file. iStock must be really kissing a** of the buyers.

Quote from: donding on October 12, 2010, 15:39

They would already have the photo and they can't very well return it.

It's not really about the photo though. What they are buying is a licence to use it. If they decide not to then it makes sense they should get a refund. That just good customer relations.

I think we all like to deal with companies which trust us as customers

Yes I guess you have a good point there. There's just so much thievery out there, I guess you have to learn to trust them.

It sounds ok if this is not a pattern for that buyer.

I got one of those refund emails from iStock.  Buyer decided he needed an Extended License.  He was refunded for his standard license and bought an Extended one so I came out about $30 ahead!

No complaints here.

c h e e r s
fred