MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: lisafx on November 28, 2012, 09:53
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It may be close, but I am pretty certain I will miss my RC target this year to stay at 19%. I need 20k more RC's, and considering the last couple of weeks of the year are historically dead, and sales are currently dismal, I don't think I'm going to make it.
Anyone else care to speculate on whether they will make their target this year?
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I wont have any problems with maintaining my current percentage, unless they invent a new level of 14 % or less. Maybe I shouldn't have said that out load, they might get ideas...
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Going down. I will miss by 6,000. That being said, I do illos and I have not submitted new material since July 2011, so I have no one to blame but me.
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Who knows, I've been sitting waiting for my stats page to appear for 5 minutes
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At the moment I miss 2500 credits but maybe I'll reach the next level by the end of the year. Maybe ;D
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At 50K RC's I am well above my target but no chance of ever getting to the next one.
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I am already there, 40%. Next step is totally out of reach,
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I am going to fall short by 3,000 RC and fall back from 35% to 30%. Sales have been a disaster in-spite of uploading new content. :'( ... Sheldon
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Hit and miss depends on what you're aiming at :)
I'm already over the target to keep my current percentage but that was a drop from 18% last year. As this year's RC total looks as if it will be lower than 2011's, my trend line is the same as yours, albeit with smaller numbers
The good news for indies is that a 1% royalty rate change isn't as big a punch in the gut as the 5% increments for exclusives. We should probably be urging the merger with Getty rates as 20% would be an increase for all but one of us indies :)
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I'm well short, 16% next year but as my earnings have been decimated, I couldn't care less :)
(http://i45.tinypic.com/wbcdbc.jpg)
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I won't make what I made last year, but that is no surprise. The surprise for me was that if IS actually did sell 1/2 the RC in the last 3rd of the year I might make it - not a chance. Boy am I glad all my eggs aren't oozing out through the bottom of that basket.
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Not quite there yet but, barring a complete disaster in December, I should make it to go up a level.
That will put me on, mmmm... the same level I was on before the RC system was introduced.
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It's kind of crazy that not going down is an accomplishment. I guess that is just part of reality now.
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I wont have any problems with maintaining my current percentage, unless they invent a new level of 14 % or less. Maybe I shouldn't have said that out load, they might get ideas...
haha.. yeah, I'm with you on this one!
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I will keep my 17% commission but haven't got a chance in hell of reaching 18%
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I'm going to miss, but who cares if it will be one percent more or less...
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I'll remain at 18% for next year but I do wonder for how much longer. My RCs look to be about 10% down on 2011 and 22% down on 2010 when they were originally set. With apparently falling sales the RC targets, for me at least, whilst supposedly remaining 'constant', are actually increasing significantly year on year.
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I will stay on my current level. Thought I could reach the next level if the sales were normal from Sep - Nov, sadly it did not happen and my RC level will not change.
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I'll stay on 30%.
Wonder if they realise how demotivating these targets are, or whether that's the whole point.
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I never gave the RC a lot of thought. I'm curious but not enough to really delve into the intricacies. Is there any way to control results ... the outcome? Is it something you can plan in advance?
Just another bottom-feeder here; not expecting to rise above 15% anytime soon. :-\
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I never gave the RC a lot of thought. I'm curious but not enough to really delve into the intricacies. Is there any way to control results ... the outcome? Is it something you can plan in advance?
No, you just have to try to shoot saleable stuff, while they do everything they can to stop buyers from buying it. Sort of like a diabolic game.
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No, you just have to try to shoot saleable stuff, while they do everything they can to stop buyers from buying it. Sort of like a diabolic game.
;D ;D ... :'(
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No, you just have to try to shoot saleable stuff, while they do everything they can to stop buyers from buying it. Sort of like a diabolic game.
LOL! So true! ;D
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No, you just have to try to shoot saleable stuff, while they do everything they can to stop buyers from buying it. Sort of like a diabolic game.
LOL! So true! ;D
haha.a. I seriously laughed out loud at that!
I've been absent from the forums for some time so have just started making my way back to see if there's really anything I've missed the last few months. I also don't frequent the iStock forums anymore either. So.. it appears that there isn't much i've missed - pretty much the same issues still going on.
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I'm going to miss, but who cares if it will be one percent more or less...
And 1% of nothing is still nothing.
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No, you just have to try to shoot saleable stuff, while they do everything they can to stop buyers from buying it. Sort of like a diabolic game.
LOL! So true! ;D
haha.a. I seriously laughed out loud at that!
I've been absent from the forums for some time so have just started making my way back to see if there's really anything I've missed the last few months. I also don't frequent the iStock forums anymore either. So.. it appears that there isn't much i've missed - pretty much the same issues still going on.
probably all you missed was your sales.
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So... these RC "targets." Are they the same for each independent? If 1500 credits is good for 16% for me then it would mean 16% for all independents?
If I reach 16% would I still have 8 cent commissions? ;D
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I'm amazed that I managed it, but I did reach my target so I won't take a cut. Moving up to a new level is a whole other issue though! ;)
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Seems amazing nowadays but honestly, there once was a time when you uploaded more images to iStock ... your income actually grew!. I kid thee not. *wipes nostalgic tears*
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Seams I will miss 17% with few credits at the end...
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Seams I will miss 17% with few credits at the end...
maybe not! ;D
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLTxUbUdHp0/ULaqNcm5MAI/AAAAAAAABWw/gMP_F7fdQjU/s1600/2012_RCS.JPG)
no new uploads since March, even if PP counted I wouldn't get it
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I won't even get close.
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A few months ago I looked to be on pace to drop a percent. Now I'm on track to keep my current 17% but I'm a long way from 18% and I'll never see 20% again.
If the target we're all aiming for is 20%, I doubt that more than a couple of people are hitting it.
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If the target we're all aiming for is 20%, I doubt that more than a couple of people are hitting it.
I doubt very much that anybody is hitting it. The 20% only ever existed as a headline to prove that they do pay that percentage (by virtue of the fact that they have paid it out at least once to one contributor). Pretty sure that even Yuri isn't making that nowadays.
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If the target we're all aiming for is 20%, I doubt that more than a couple of people are hitting it.
I doubt very much that anybody is hitting it. The 20% only ever existed as a headline to prove that they do pay that percentage (by virtue of the fact that they have paid it out at least once to one contributor). Pretty sure that even Yuri isn't making that nowadays.
I'm surmising that the figures are pauchled to make sure Yuri gets 20%, no matter what.
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If the target we're all aiming for is 20%, I doubt that more than a couple of people are hitting it.
I doubt very much that anybody is hitting it. The 20% only ever existed as a headline to prove that they do pay that percentage (by virtue of the fact that they have paid it out at least once to one contributor). Pretty sure that even Yuri isn't making that nowadays.
I'm surmising that the figures are pauchled to make sure Yuri gets 20%, no matter what.
No, I think that's how it started and was intended to work __ but at that time sales had always been rising and the expectation was that that would continue for the foreseeable future. I'm pretty sure that they always expected to be increasing the RC targets each year. Then, because of their staggering greed, sales rapidly stalled and have since probably fallen. Of course they're never going to admit that and reduce RC targets accordingly.
Funnily enough I can't see Yuri admitting that he's failed to make the 20% target either so, by virtue of the stupendous egos at risk on both sides, I doubt that we'll ever get the truth.
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Won't even come close.
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I went up a level earlier this year, but no way will i make it two level increases in a year.
Their tiny upload limits means I only have a small port online there, but it does surprisingly well for such an up and down site.
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I hit 40% today actually and got the congrats email. A nice 15% increase. Nice way to start the day. :)
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I hit 40% today actually and got the congrats email. A nice 15% increase. Nice way to start the day. :)
Nicely done!
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Same level achieved but won't go near getting to the next.
ahh the days of 20%
Imagine all the extra good programing guys they've got with the extra %, if they didn't have them the IS sight would surely be broken.
;)
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Same level achieved but won't go near getting to the next.
ahh the days of 20%
Imagine all the extra good programing guys they've got with the extra %, if they didn't have them the IS sight would surely be broken.
;)
Lol true. We should be thankful the site hasn't melted our motherboards and kidnapped our newborn puppies. Thank goodness for the money we've lost.
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Last year I was easily 25k over my target, this year my RCs have halved and I'll be almost 25k under my target... absolutely abysmal....
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Seems amazing nowadays but honestly, there once was a time when you uploaded more images to iStock ... your income actually grew!. I kid thee not. *wipes nostalgic tears*
Nooooo! Oh yes! I vaguely remember now.... <shares tissues>
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Last year I was easily 25k over my target, this year my RCs have halved and I'll be almost 25k under my target... absolutely abysmal....
That's horrendous. So sorry to hear it. :(
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Last year I was easily 25k over my target, this year my RCs have halved and I'll be almost 25k under my target... absolutely abysmal....
Wow, sorry to hear that. Were you uploading new work much this year, out of curiosity?
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I hit 40% today actually and got the congrats email. A nice 15% increase. Nice way to start the day. :)
Nicely done!
+1
big fish you are :)
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Last year I was easily 25k over my target, this year my RCs have halved and I'll be almost 25k under my target... absolutely abysmal....
Wow, sorry to hear that. Were you uploading new work much this year, out of curiosity?
After I saw a massive drop last year after trying to play "catchup" I haven't uploaded much at all this year.
But honestly if the istock model requires me to double my portfolio each year just to keep my RCs treading water then that is pretty unsustain..... well you know the rest!
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I will probably drop one level. :( The sudden drop in september and now a terrible November and I will miss my current level. Unless something drastic happens in December or they adjust targets because of the flawed best match.
I know I didn't upload that much, but I do feel truly punished this year. I put a lot of good files into E+ when they announced the program. I knew they would then sell less on istock, but was optimistic it would be compensated by sales on getty. But the transfer didn't happen for months and now best match seems to push the exclusive + content back in the search.
I have put many files back into the normal exclusive collection and they are beginning to pick up sales again.
Also I am reluctant to upload new files that I want to put into e+ until this best match bias against e+ is solved, or until I see that the getty connector is working reliably.
It is very frustrating.
I am really glad I spent a lot of time learning about video this year, at least it brought some of the love for stock back.
It is no fun to log onto istock every day and wonder "what is broken now?"
But I will wait to see how e+ does on getty before I take any drastic decisions.
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made my target
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If the target we're all aiming for is 20%, I doubt that more than a couple of people are hitting it.
I doubt very much that anybody is hitting it. The 20% only ever existed as a headline to prove that they do pay that percentage (by virtue of the fact that they have paid it out at least once to one contributor). Pretty sure that even Yuri isn't making that nowadays.
I'm surmising that the figures are pauchled to make sure Yuri gets 20%, no matter what.
No, I think that's how it started and was intended to work __ but at that time sales had always been rising and the expectation was that that would continue for the foreseeable future. I'm pretty sure that they always expected to be increasing the RC targets each year. Then, because of their staggering greed, sales rapidly stalled and have since probably fallen. Of course they're never going to admit that and reduce RC targets accordingly.
Funnily enough I can't see Yuri admitting that he's failed to make the 20% target either so, by virtue of the stupendous egos at risk on both sides, I doubt that we'll ever get the truth.
I presume much of my lost sales with istock this year are because their buyers have switched to Thinkstock? In theory, istock will make more money by keeping the RC targets high, so a lot of us miss them and end up on a lower commission. But they will end up making less money out of me, because there's no motivation to upload anymore. All my images go to SS and while my istock/Thinkstock earnings are on a downward trend, I'm close to a BME with SS.
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I hit 40% today actually and got the congrats email. A nice 15% increase. Nice way to start the day. :)
Yaaaay! Congratulations! ;D ;D ;D
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I hit 40% today actually and got the congrats email. A nice 15% increase. Nice way to start the day. :)
Congrats Oxman! You are defying the trend :)
(BTW, you can't say b-u-c-k-i-n-g?? Is that a cuss word now?)
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Well, I know misery loves company, so it looks like I am in good company.
When they first started the RC system, I was making so many RCs I couldn't imagine ever dropping of 19%. Had an overage of 50k RCs. Last year, overage of around 20k. This year, short by 20k.
Still uploading regularly, but not sure for how much longer. :(
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I presume much of my lost sales with istock this year are because their buyers have switched to Thinkstock? In theory, istock will make more money by keeping the RC targets high, so a lot of us miss them and end up on a lower commission. But they will end up making less money out of me, because there's no motivation to upload anymore. All my images go to SS and while my istock/Thinkstock earnings are on a downward trend, I'm close to a BME with SS.
My Istock download numbers are now about 1/3 of the PP ones, so yes, they've been very successful at migrating buyers from higher cost Istock site to dirt cheap Thinkstock. Still don't understand the motivation there.
You are dead right, stocktastic, about how demotivating it is. My output is still regular, but about half of what it was a couple of years ago. Don't see it going up either, unless the money starts to rise again.
Istock/Getty really does epitomize the hazards of short term thinking.
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I hit 40% today actually and got the congrats email. A nice 15% increase. Nice way to start the day. :)
Where's the link? I demand we see your portfolio right now. ;)
Congrats! Pretty major accomplishment considering how many diamond producers seem to be dropping like rocks.
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Thanks Paulie, Lisa, sue, aeonf and tee :)
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drinks on OX!
(CD and Tom are free of expenses)
;D
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Seams I will miss 17% with few credits at the end...
maybe not! ;D
Looks possible to me too! :D
([url]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLTxUbUdHp0/ULaqNcm5MAI/AAAAAAAABWw/gMP_F7fdQjU/s1600/2012_RCS.JPG[/url])
no new uploads since March, even if PP counted I wouldn't get it
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My Istock download numbers are now about 1/3 of the PP ones, so yes, they've been very successful at migrating buyers from higher cost Istock site to dirt cheap Thinkstock. Still don't understand the motivation there.
Wow! This is exactly what I was worried about when I left. iStock's last redeeming quality was a good RPD (on the illustration side). I guess that is gone now too. It's a shame.
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I think I made my 19%... what is it you're supposed to reach this year? 125,000? They changed it compared to last year, right? I tried to look on their site, there is nothing with "2012" on it (royalty rate - wise)
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But yeah, sales this November are very disappointing. Supposed to be a "cash-in" month, and there is nothing to write home about...
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...My Istock download numbers are now about 1/3 of the PP ones, so yes, they've been very successful at migrating buyers from higher cost Istock site to dirt cheap Thinkstock. Still don't understand the motivation there. ...
If you want to to be the amazon.com of stock images/video/etc then you don't want SS around. You can see that SS has found a nice niche of the market in which you don't compete so you'd like to be top dog there too.
You have a bunch of wholly owned stuff which is a bit long in the tooth and doesn't sell for high prices. You don't think much of the bulk of the iStock collection (Getty's attitude, as expressed by Jonathan Klein, has been disparaging and dismissive all along) so you cherry pick the bits you want to move to your main high price site but you use the rest to act as window dressing in your new SS-wannabe site. You take a bit of a hit in short term revenue, but this is about gaining control of that market segment over time. Once you gain control (I'm not convinced they will succeed, but I'm sure they are) then you can shift prices around as you see fit, but you have the high end (Getty Images) and low end (Thinkstock) largely to yourself (Corbis doesn't count).
One think I can't fathom is why they made a new name - Thinkstock - versus using the best stock image web site ever, that they owned after buying Jupiter. photos.com. Perhaps they wanted to avoid being tied to one medium (Getty bought PumpAudio and has ambitions to be video/audio/still image intergalactic emperor).
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When this year started, I vowed not to upload any more images to Istock unless there was a considerable improvement in commission rates. So, in sticking with the promise, I haven't uploaded anything the whole year. I'm concentrating on more productive and fair opportunities. Haven't gotten the courage yet to pull my port completely, but that might come at a later date.
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Soon we can expect a payoyt! according to the IS forum. Comes in handy for X-mas I suppose.
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No, you just have to try to shoot saleable stuff, while they do everything they can to stop buyers from buying it. Sort of like a diabolic game.
;D ;D ... :'(
+++1
i actually LOL'd
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I hit my current 17 percent in August but no freakin way I will come close to 18%. That is a monumental task, especially for a measly 1%. Like has been stated, hitting new target levels is a partnership, not a one way model we contributors must follow. By keeping 80+ % of the revenue you'd think that the site functionality, marketing efforts and relationships would be key priorities, but unfortunately it is indeed a one way model left for contributors to muscle through alone.
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I need more 9262 credits to stay at 35%... arrrrrgggghhhh... LIARS!!!
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Ladies nad gents,
one small step down in Your RCs,
BIG step up in IS total earnings.
Simple ...
More shoots, less talk ...
Enjoy.
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Ladies nad gents,
one small step down in Your RCs,
BIG step up in IS total earnings.
Simple ...
More shoots, less talk ...
Enjoy.
If everyone's sales went up, they'd just raise the targets.
You can't beat them.
Knock yourself into the ground if you like. Enjoy.
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Ladies nad gents,
one small step down in Your RCs,
BIG step up in IS total earnings.
Simple ...
More shoots, less talk ...
Enjoy.
I went with the no istock, more peace of mind approach. ;D
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Ladies nad gents,
one small step down in Your RCs,
BIG step up in IS total earnings.
Simple ...
More shoots, less talk ...
Enjoy.
This post makes me want to revise my objection to having a thumbs down option.
Just love these geniuses who come in spouting cliches like they are unique pearls of wisdom that have never been heard or considered by anyone before. ::)
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Ladies nad gents,
one small step down in Your RCs,
BIG step up in IS total earnings.
Simple ...
More shoots, less talk ...
Enjoy.
So if you doubled your portfolio size in a year, say from 3,000 to 6,000 images, and your income still dropped off a cliff, let's say in half, your solution is more shoots and less talk?
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Ladies nad gents,
one small step down in Your RCs,
BIG step up in IS total earnings.
Simple ...
More shoots, less talk ...
Enjoy.
This post makes me want to revise my objection to having a thumbs down option.
Just love these geniuses who come in spouting cliches like they are unique pearls of wisdom that have never been heard or considered by anyone before. ::)
True. Fortunately we do have the 'Ploink!' button to use in such situations.
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Ladies nad gents,
one small step down in Your RCs,
BIG step up in IS total earnings.
Simple ...
More shoots, less talk ...
Enjoy.
Stop smoking weed will ya.
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enstoker, why don't you go and work at CanStockPhoto coz thats the only variable in stock ;D
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My post was miss understood.
Not from all, just from members which did not recognize the point of my post.
You want it or not, we contributors are still in the same boat.
Enjoy.