MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: WarrenPrice on September 06, 2012, 09:30

Title: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: WarrenPrice on September 06, 2012, 09:30
My first sale after the outage -- 7 effin cents!!!

Let's see ... considering the volume effect ... ten images would be .... 70 cents.   Don't you just love capitalism?   :P

Maybe it will be good enough for transfer to Thinkstock.   ;D
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: thesentinel on September 06, 2012, 09:38
Mine was 24.87 if that's any consolation  (XL E+)
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: Poncke on September 06, 2012, 09:39
Why are people still with this agency, I dont get it. Honestly. If its such an evil agency and stealing bastids, why are people still contributing? There must be something I am missing.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: stan on September 06, 2012, 09:44
Why are people still with this agency, I dont get it. Honestly. If its such an evil agency and stealing bastids, why are people still contributing? There must be something I am missing.

Because you're still averaging 5$ or so for max sized DL. Contrary to mid tier sites where you don't even get half of that on average, 123RF being the worst of them all, usually below 2$. On top of higher commissions, the volume of sales is dozens of times higher at IS for most.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: WarrenPrice on September 06, 2012, 09:45
Why are people still with this agency, I dont get it. Honestly. If its such an evil agency and stealing bastids, why are people still contributing? There must be something I am missing.

Read the post above yours.   :-\
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: ShadySue on September 06, 2012, 09:46
Why are people still with this agency, I dont get it. Honestly. If its such an evil agency and stealing bastids, why are people still contributing? There must be something I am missing.

Because you're still averaging 5$ or so for max sized DL. Contrary to mid tier sites where you don't even get half of that on average, 123RF being the worst of them all, usually below 2$. On top of higher commissions, the volume of sales is dozens of times higher at IS for most.

Hmmm. From what I read here, the 'volume' at SS is much greater.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: traveler1116 on September 06, 2012, 09:47
My first sale after the outage was a L E+ for $20+.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: vonkara on September 06, 2012, 09:47
Mine was 24.87 if that's any consolation  (XL E+)
Exactly the kind of money I get for a sale. Was that 7 cents a XS sale, a thinkstock sub sale?
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: ShadySue on September 06, 2012, 09:48
Mine was 24.87 if that's any consolation  (XL E+)
Exactly the kind of money I get for a sale. Was that 7 cents a XS sale, a thinkstock sub sale?
Thinkstock sales are only recorded once a month, approximately midmonth.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: vonkara on September 06, 2012, 09:52
Mine was 24.87 if that's any consolation  (XL E+)
Exactly the kind of money I get for a sale. Was that 7 cents a XS sale, a thinkstock sub sale?
Thinkstock sales are only recorded once a month, approximately midmonth.

K thanks, I'm opted out, I never experienced it. Seeing the best match sort on IS, I'm surprised they even get a buyer going further than the 5th page to download a non exclusive image. I don't know how is it possible to get .07 my lowest for a XS is close to .70
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: WarrenPrice on September 06, 2012, 09:53
Mine was 24.87 if that's any consolation  (XL E+)
Exactly the kind of money I get for a sale. Was that 7 cents a XS sale, a thinkstock sub sale?

No idea???  I checked stats with DeepMeta and found that my "measuring cups" sold for seven cents.  I don't know enough about iS to find what size it was?

Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: Poncke on September 06, 2012, 09:58
Why are people still with this agency, I dont get it. Honestly. If its such an evil agency and stealing bastids, why are people still contributing? There must be something I am missing.

Because you're still averaging 5$ or so for max sized DL. Contrary to mid tier sites where you don't even get half of that on average, 123RF being the worst of them all, usually below 2$. On top of higher commissions, the volume of sales is dozens of times higher at IS for most.

Ok, but from what I read on the forum here, there is little to nothing people mention is positive about IS and the comments on how bad they treat the tog and the ricidulous low commission are plenty.

I thought about submitting to them, but I am happy now that I failed their test. It would annoy me to death dealing with them.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: ShadySue on September 06, 2012, 09:59
Mine was 24.87 if that's any consolation  (XL E+)
Exactly the kind of money I get for a sale. Was that 7 cents a XS sale, a thinkstock sub sale?

No idea???  I checked stats with DeepMeta and found that my "measuring cups" sold for seven cents.  I don't know enough about iS to find what size it was?


!!! And clearly you don't care either!
My Uploads, now reached via two more clicks since the relaunch
(My Account (bottom left) > Contributor tools > My Uploads > 'Last DL' column.
(Click Last DL column if the file downloaded today isn't the one at the top).
Click on the number under DLs and you'll get a page that shows stats like this:

Date (DD/MM/YYYY)            Size            License    Royalty
05/09/2012 3:20 AM MDT    Large    Regular    $5.55 USD

(Yeah,that's my last dl.  :'( )
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: ShadySue on September 06, 2012, 10:04
My first sale after the outage -- 7 effin cents!!!

Let's see ... considering the volume effect ... ten images would be .... 70 cents.   Don't you just love capitalism?   :P

Maybe it will be good enough for transfer to Thinkstock.   ;D


According to Sean's calculator, that's a 46c credit (assuming at 15% commission), which is near rock-bottom credit value.
http://seanlockephotography.com/2011/12/20/calculating-price-paid-per-credit (http://seanlockephotography.com/2011/12/20/calculating-price-paid-per-credit)
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: vonkara on September 06, 2012, 10:06
Date (DD/MM/YYYY)            Size            License    Royalty
05/09/2012 3:20 AM MDT    Large    Regular    $5.55 USD

(Yeah,that's my last dl.  :'( )

LOL I got a smaller credit package buyer or something today...

06/09/2012 3:40 AM MDT    Large   Regular   $5.70 USD
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: ShadySue on September 06, 2012, 10:10
Date (DD/MM/YYYY)            Size            License    Royalty
05/09/2012 3:20 AM MDT    Large    Regular    $5.55 USD

(Yeah,that's my last dl.  :'( )

LOL I got a smaller credit package buyer or something today...

06/09/2012 3:40 AM MDT    Large   Regular   $5.70 USD

Could be, I've had larger L payments. But also you could be on a higher %age. My iron pyrites canister belies the fact that I'm on 30%.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: stan on September 06, 2012, 10:18
Why are people still with this agency, I dont get it. Honestly. If its such an evil agency and stealing bastids, why are people still contributing? There must be something I am missing.

Because you're still averaging 5$ or so for max sized DL. Contrary to mid tier sites where you don't even get half of that on average, 123RF being the worst of them all, usually below 2$. On top of higher commissions, the volume of sales is dozens of times higher at IS for most.

Ok, but from what I read on the forum here, there is little to nothing people mention is positive about IS and the comments on how bad they treat the tog and the ricidulous low commission are plenty.

Don't worry about what people think, most of them don't use their brains anyway ;)
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: fritz on September 06, 2012, 10:37
Despite all problems with the site and negativism IS is still making 50% more $ than SS with same port size around 2000 files (at least in my case).They have best reviewers which makes me believe  that they are still #1 microstock site. I know many of you will disagree but if you want to learn that is the place. If you are good enough for IS than you pass the MS test and you're good to go.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: fritz on September 06, 2012, 10:41
Why are people still with this agency, I dont get it. Honestly. If its such an evil agency and stealing bastids, why are people still contributing? There must be something I am missing.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ You miss $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: WarrenPrice on September 06, 2012, 10:48
Mine was 24.87 if that's any consolation  (XL E+)
Exactly the kind of money I get for a sale. Was that 7 cents a XS sale, a thinkstock sub sale?

No idea???  I checked stats with DeepMeta and found that my "measuring cups" sold for seven cents.  I don't know enough about iS to find what size it was?


!!! And clearly you don't care either!
My Uploads, now reached via two more clicks since the relaunch
(My Account (bottom left) > Contributor tools > My Uploads > 'Last DL' column.
(Click Last DL column if the file downloaded today isn't the one at the top).
Click on the number under DLs and you'll get a page that shows stats like this:

Date (DD/MM/YYYY)            Size            License    Royalty
05/09/2012 3:20 AM MDT    Large    Regular    $5.55 USD

(Yeah,that's my last dl.  :'( )


You got me.   ;D

I do care though, that ANY commission could be that low ... but what good is knowing the details? 
Is there something I could do about it?
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: ShadySue on September 06, 2012, 10:59
Mine was 24.87 if that's any consolation  (XL E+)
Exactly the kind of money I get for a sale. Was that 7 cents a XS sale, a thinkstock sub sale?

No idea???  I checked stats with DeepMeta and found that my "measuring cups" sold for seven cents.  I don't know enough about iS to find what size it was?


!!! And clearly you don't care either!
My Uploads, now reached via two more clicks since the relaunch
(My Account (bottom left) > Contributor tools > My Uploads > 'Last DL' column.
(Click Last DL column if the file downloaded today isn't the one at the top).
Click on the number under DLs and you'll get a page that shows stats like this:

Date (DD/MM/YYYY)            Size            License    Royalty
05/09/2012 3:20 AM MDT    Large    Regular    $5.55 USD

(Yeah,that's my last dl.  :'( )


You got me.   ;D

I do care though, that ANY commission could be that low ... but what good is knowing the details? 
Is there something I could do about it?

No, unless you chose to leave iS or stop uploading there.
However, you might feel different if you know that it was an XS which earned you 7c, rather than a huge size file for peanuts at e.g. TS or SS. Or you might not.  ;)
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: click_click on September 06, 2012, 11:15
Why are people still with this agency, I dont get it. Honestly. If its such an evil agency and stealing bastids, why are people still contributing? There must be something I am missing.
IS is paying for my family's health insurance. Unless you would like to step up and pay for them I'm more than happy to drop IS.  ::)
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: Poncke on September 06, 2012, 11:21
Despite all problems with the site and negativism IS is still making 50% more $ than SS with same port size around 2000 files (at least in my case).They have best reviewers which makes me believe  that they are still #1 microstock site. I know many of you will disagree but if you want to learn that is the place. If you are good enough for IS than you pass the MS test and you're good to go.

When I first started out 6 months ago, I failed their test 3 times and then went on to learn photography in the forums at SS and got accepted there. I am with 5 agencies now and figured I would get back to IS at some point but after reading the comments here on MSG over the last few months I dont want to. I cant be bothered by a tedious keywording process (one of the reasons I cant be bothered to increase my port at Alamy) and their ridiculous MR policy. Which by the way would refrain me from uploading loads of photos because I dont have the correct MRs for IS. And their ridiculous low commission. 3 key points for me to avoid IS like the plague.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: Poncke on September 06, 2012, 11:27
Why are people still with this agency, I dont get it. Honestly. If its such an evil agency and stealing bastids, why are people still contributing? There must be something I am missing.
IS is paying for my family's health insurance. Unless you would like to step up and pay for them I'm more than happy to drop IS.  ::)

If you make that kind of money, kudos to you, and I understand money is an important factor and for some stock is their main income. So I understand that part of the bargain. It must be Sophies Choice then for many. I dont know if I could take that kind of abuse from an agency. When I reach a point that I am pushed over the edge I will quit whatever job I have. I have done it before and I have done it again recently and I will keep doing that, just for my own happiness. Works for me. 
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: WarrenPrice on September 06, 2012, 11:32
I'm just posting my frustration.  I can't say that any microstock site is any better or worse than any other.  Far be it from me to convince anyone to accept such cheap rates.  More money for me (and Sean.)   8)

But, tho critical of the ridiculous seven cent commission, I must admit that my RPD at iS is higher than at my other "Representatives." 


Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: heywoody on September 06, 2012, 11:41
Despite all problems with the site and negativism IS is still making 50% more $ than SS with same port size around 2000 files (at least in my case).They have best reviewers which makes me believe  that they are still #1 microstock site. I know many of you will disagree but if you want to learn that is the place. If you are good enough for IS than you pass the MS test and you're good to go.

Hmmm, definitely the most picky about technical minutiae but I don’t know if that equates to the best.  Unlike other sites, I see no actual judgement in the reviewing - you could train monkeys to look for stray pixels.  Otherwise I’d agree, even with the tiny commission, 1 image on IS is worth at least 10 elsewhere (SS aside where perhaps 3).
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: WarrenPrice on September 06, 2012, 12:02
Despite all problems with the site and negativism IS is still making 50% more $ than SS with same port size around 2000 files (at least in my case).They have best reviewers which makes me believe  that they are still #1 microstock site. I know many of you will disagree but if you want to learn that is the place. If you are good enough for IS than you pass the MS test and you're good to go.

Hmmm, definitely the most picky about technical minutiae but I don’t know if that equates to the best.  Unlike other sites, I see no actual judgement in the reviewing - you could train monkeys to look for stray pixels. Otherwise I’d agree, even with the tiny commission, 1 image on IS is worth at least 10 elsewhere (SS aside where perhaps 3).

Are you sure?
Aren't you afraid unsubstantiated facts like that will harm your credibility?   ??? :P ;D
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: click_click on September 06, 2012, 12:40
Just because I don't leave IS doesn't mean I like their business behavior.

...I don't know if I could take that kind of abuse from an agency. When I reach a point that I am pushed over the edge I will quit whatever job I have. I have done it before and I have done it again recently and I will keep doing that, just for my own happiness. Works for me.

I understand what you mean and I would walk away too if it pushed me over the edge but in the end it's like uploading the image once and then raking in the cash, so it's not an awful lot of work so to speak.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: KB on September 06, 2012, 13:10
Mine was 24.87 if that's any consolation  (XL E+)
Mine was $1.56 for an XS (as were my 2nd and 3rd sales); what am I doing wrong?  ;D
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: JPSDK on September 06, 2012, 13:14
Soon we can categorize is as a low performing agency, with bad commisions.

Maybe they will even have to do something about the annoying upload procedure, and try to get people to upload to them.
That will make me smile.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: stan on September 06, 2012, 13:56
There's a glitch at IS and my royalties are calculated at E+ instead of P+ prices. I just wish I was also credited at that rate ;D

(http://i47.tinypic.com/omst1.jpg)
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on September 06, 2012, 13:58
That glitch is the same as shows up on one of my images that received its first sale this morning. I checked a couple of other image's downloads details and they all look the same - same times as well as amounts
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: ShadySue on September 06, 2012, 14:05
Oh, sorry, I just posted about this in my own thread as I was too slow combining my screenshots to see yours before I 'sent'.

Added: It's worse than that. There's no consistency. I have a file showing on its home page, ad in the My Uploads table as having had 23 dls,but on the details page, two sales are recorded, possibly at indy prices.

It seems this hiccup has got our stats all over the place.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: corepics on September 06, 2012, 21:23
Hmmm. 0,07 USD.... If I look at http://www.istockphoto.com/buy-stock-prepaid-credits.php (http://www.istockphoto.com/buy-stock-prepaid-credits.php), the lowest value of a credit is $1.22. So, if you're at the lowest RC tier, you still should make $0,18 royalties for a small (1 credit) sale. Suppose that 3000 credits is too small for a client, and a 50% discount is negociated (Kudos for the buyer, if he / she achieves that), increased with a 10% discount for downtime, I still cannot compute $0,07.

I guess in stead of firing the creative and content part of their staff, IS should've fired their sales personel. I figure the people who bought Getty got the same kind of bargain. Should be worth enquiring about.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on September 06, 2012, 21:30
The lowest bulk price is around $.46 .  There you go.
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: markrhiggins on September 06, 2012, 23:08
7 cents! Ha Ha Ha . You got robbed! My last sale there was 8 cents! Whoopie.....sob..sob
Title: Re: SEVEN CENTS!!!
Post by: WarrenPrice on September 07, 2012, 07:59
7 cents! Ha Ha Ha . You got robbed! My last sale there was 8 cents! Whoopie.....sob..sob

 :) ;) :D ;D :'(