Author Topic: Unannounced (accidental?) vector price hike!?! (Read 15572 times)

bittersweet · « **on:** October 22, 2010, 12:51 »

Vector prices jumped up this morning with absolutely no notice. Non-exclusive files are now 1-5-12-15-25, of which the huge jump from 5 to 12 and the tiny jump from 12 to 15 make absolutely no sense. The exclusive detailed files jumped from 14 to 15 (?)

The response from admin when people understandably asked wth is going on:

Quote

Posted By bortonia:
Thanks for the head's up, we're looking into it right now.

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=267121&page=1

Chico · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2010, 12:59 »

Quote from: whatalife on October 22, 2010, 12:51

Vector prices jumped up this morning with absolutely no notice. Non-exclusive files are now 1-5-12-15-25, of which the huge jump from 5 to 12 and the tiny jump from 12 to 15 make absolutely no sense. The exclusive detailed files jumped from 14 to 15 (?)

The response from admin when people understandably asked wth is going on:
Quote
Posted By bortonia:
Thanks for the head's up, we're looking into it right now.

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=267121&page=1

Istock gets worse every day. It's sad because until a few weeks ago was the best of all microstock sites. Can not even fix ridiculous bugs that appeared after F5 changes two months ago.

cthoman · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2010, 13:29 »

Quote from: whatalife on October 22, 2010, 12:51

Vector prices jumped up this morning with absolutely no notice. Non-exclusive files are now 1-5-12-15-25, of which the huge jump from 5 to 12 and the tiny jump from 12 to 15 make absolutely no sense. The exclusive detailed files jumped from 14 to 15 (?)

The response from admin when people understandably asked wth is going on:
Quote
Posted By bortonia:
Thanks for the head's up, we're looking into it right now.

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=267121&page=1

5 credit files stayed 5 credits. It was 10 credits that went to 12. Still weird though.

nruboc · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2010, 13:50 »

shhhh..... no one was suppose to notice

Amanda_K · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2010, 13:52 »

This would be an interesting "bug" since the prices were updated on the pricing page as well. Very odd that Jenn didn't know about it. It really does seem that there is something new going on all the time there now.

bittersweet · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2010, 14:02 »

Quote from: cthoman on October 22, 2010, 13:29

5 credit files stayed 5 credits. It was 10 credits that went to 12. Still weird though.

No, sorry I wasn't more clear. I meant that the jump between price levels, not the price change, made no sense. Yes, the detailed non-exclusive price went from 10 to 12, but that now creates a huge gap of 7 credits between the moderate and detailed levels, and then a tiny gap of only 3 credits between detailed and complex, then the 10 credit jump before the 25-credit elaborate level. Before, there was a more even and logical spacing of 5 credits between 2nd, 3rd, and 4th levels.

Former pricing: 1 - 5 - 10 - 15 - 25
Current pricing: 1 - 5 - 12 - 15 - 25

Hopefully that made more sense $:-\$

dgilder · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2010, 14:06 »

Probably reflects most files in the collection falling into that moderately complex category. Seems like someone needs to make up for some slower sales with a tiny 20% bump on what is probably the most common vector class

bittersweet · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2010, 14:09 »

Quote from: dgilder on October 22, 2010, 14:06

Probably reflects most files in the collection falling into that moderately complex category. Seems like someone needs to make up for some slower sales with a tiny 20% bump on what is probably the most common vector class

Yep, 90% of my illustrations fall into that price level.

Amanda_K · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2010, 14:35 »

The thread on this was moved to the help forum. That seems odd. I would think less people would see it there if they have the same question.

VB inc · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2010, 14:54 »

Further proof that they consider vector artist second class citizens. no announcement and quietly move all inquiries into the help forum. This little increase will surely put even more money into their greedy little pockets.

Sadstock · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2010, 15:12 »

Maybe they are getting ready for the 2011 price hike and accidentally put the 2011 pricing on the live site?

a1bercik · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2010, 15:21 »

Maybe idea 'how to gain contributor's favour' turned into 'we have technical problems again'.

ThomasAmby · « **Reply #12 on:** October 26, 2010, 04:30 »

It's still there. Definitely no mistake, but why no official announcement?

VB inc · « **Reply #13 on:** October 26, 2010, 04:36 »

They got smart and kept quiet from the get go instead of starting a thread announcing a price hike which will definitely stir up hundreds of angry posts about greed in which they will remain silent since they have no answers.

ThomasAmby · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2010, 04:41 »

You're probably right. Why give contributors the opportunity to make another angry 200+ pages thread when you can have silence?

I hope this is not what we can expect for future changes.

lisafx · « **Reply #15 on:** October 26, 2010, 12:29 »

Quote from: 9lives on October 22, 2010, 14:35

The thread on this was moved to the help forum. That seems odd. I would think less people would see it there if they have the same question.

I believe the Help Forum has become the place where many potentially controversial topics are sent to die.

caspixel · « **Reply #16 on:** October 26, 2010, 12:43 »

Could they be phasing out all announcements of price changes and the like? Wouldn't surprise me at all.

cathyslife · « **Reply #17 on:** October 26, 2010, 13:19 »

Quote from: lisafx on October 26, 2010, 12:29

Quote from: 9lives on October 22, 2010, 14:35
The thread on this was moved to the help forum. That seems odd. I would think less people would see it there if they have the same question.

I believe the Help Forum has become the place where many potentially controversial topics are sent to die.

You beat me to it, lisa. I was going to reply: that was the intent...no one will notice it there. That way, they can cover their a-- by saying they did post the changes, but it is in such an obscure place, not many will notice. Ick, slimy.

helix7 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 26, 2010, 13:28 »

It's a lot easier for iStock to sneak in price hikes these days. Thanks to the already varied schedule of prices for exclusive, non-exclusive, E+, Vetta, agency, etc., a few credits increase to a few image types isn't likely to be noticed right away.

And why should they announce it? Sure it's the nice thing to do, but I think it's pretty clear now that the community-friendly agency that iStock once was is no more. Why would they publicly inform buyers of the latest thing they are doing to get more money out of them?

For contributors, it would only stir up more justified rage. They might have been able to convince a few people that the royalty changes will make the company "sustainable," but this price increase is just greed on top of greed. So again, why stir up trouble and publicly tell people how they're being screwed?

I think iStock has done an exceptional job of working a vector price increase into the schedule on the sly. Not even a peep of this in the twitterverse. Buyers seem largely unaware of the change. Nice work, HQ. You guys are good at this stuff.

Amanda_K · « **Reply #19 on:** October 26, 2010, 15:12 »

Sure, it's not a huge change but at this point it's a respect issue. To not even clarify for the people that did ask whether this is a bug or planned price hike (and I can't for the life of me figure out how this could be a bug,) is downright ridiculous. To hear from the admin that's supposed to be in charge of the vector community "we are looking into it." as if it's news to the admins and to still not have an answer three days later is crazy.

Does this mean we are supposed to believe no one was able to tell Bortonia whether it's a "bug"? Because the only other option there is that they either a) raised prices and didn't even tell essential staff or b) we are being given the run around. (Again.) I should add here that I like Jenn and this isn't in any way an attack on her, more directed at the brutal lack of communication apparently going on not only to contributors but within the company as well.

cathyslife · « **Reply #20 on:** October 26, 2010, 16:43 »

Quote from: 9lives on October 26, 2010, 15:12

Sure, it's not a huge change but at this point it's a respect issue. To not even clarify for the people that did ask whether this is a bug or planned price hike (and I can't for the life of me figure out how this could be a bug,) is downright ridiculous. To hear from the admin that's supposed to be in charge of the vector community "we are looking into it." as if it's news to the admins and to still not have an answer three days later is crazy.

Does this mean we are supposed to believe no one was able to tell Bortonia whether it's a "bug"? Because the only other option there is that they either a) raised prices and didn't even tell essential staff or b) we are being given the run around. (Again.) I should add here that I like Jenn and this isn't in any way an attack on her, more directed at the brutal lack of communication apparently going on not only to contributors but within the company as well.

No, you are supposed to believe that admins know every kind of smoke-and-mirrors bs way to answer questions without really giving you a concrete answer. It's called double talk. And Jenn is only doing what they tell Jenn to do and say. While I understand jobs are hard to come by right now (are they in Canada too?) it seems like people are willing to give up their self respect and decent character just to stay employed by IS/Getty. For the life of me, I don't get it. I guess some folks don't have a choice. I know I couldn't live with myself if I had to communicate those kinds of answers to customers and contributors every day, but hey, that's just me.

Amanda_K · « **Reply #21 on:** October 26, 2010, 17:45 »

I couldn't do it personally. But then I've always been allergic to BS and corporate red tape. I suppose this is just my last few shreds of loyalty that have yet to fall away. Old habits die hard. But really the non response and what I perceived as pretend confusion in "answering" why vector contributors targets are double photogs was the last straw. Had I not already metaphorically jumped ship, that is

bittersweet · « **Reply #22 on:** October 26, 2010, 18:19 »

Quote from: 9lives on October 26, 2010, 17:45

pretend confusion

Um...that is pretty much the standard M.O. ... don't tell me you've been there this long and haven't figured that one out.

It's called "never having to be the bad guy".

Amanda_K · « **Reply #23 on:** October 26, 2010, 19:15 »

I've certainly never seen it that blatant. I'm more used to the "it's this way because we said so." shut downs than this extraordinary level of obfuscation. Believe me I'm as frustrated as I can be with the whole company, but I'm not trying to launch personal attacks on specific people I've interacted with through the years either, which is all I was trying to say at the end there.

Zephyr · « **Reply #24 on:** October 26, 2010, 19:36 »

Quote from: whatalife on October 26, 2010, 18:19

Quote from: 9lives on October 26, 2010, 17:45
pretend confusion

Um...that is pretty much the standard M.O. ... don't tell me you've been there this long and haven't figured that one out. It's called "never having to be the bad guy".

Bortonia is not that kind of person in my opinion. I think "a) raised prices and didn't even tell essential staff" is the correct answer. There would be no need to respond to the thread if she new in advance. No dialogue happened with "Where we go from here". It's easier to stay quiet than it is to try to explain why Getty wants more money from buyers and contributors.

Also, in response to the "people are willing to give up their self respect and decent character just to stay employed by IS/Getty" comment, my mortgage company does not care what moral principles I stand up for, just if I sent them the monthly payment. I get no discounts or free passes for standing up to corporate injustice. I doubt she does either.

Amanda_K · « **Reply #25 on:** October 26, 2010, 20:40 »

Well I did day "what I perceived" as pretend confusion and to be clear I was referring to the company line not the person who delivered it. Maybe that's too harsh but it's absolutely the impression I got. In my opinion, this thread speaks for itself: http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=252412&page=1

I personally felt the "answers" that were given insulted the intelligence of contributors. I fully believe that no one was authorized to say anything else but what was said, and at the end of the day that's a reflection of company policy not the employees.

I also understand that bill collectors and mortgage holders don't care about your moral high ground. Personally that wouldn't stop me from getting out of there as soon as possible if I felt very strongly that what was going on was wrong. Everyone has different circumstances in life and I very much empathize with anyone who's personal situation forces them to work for an employer who's policies they no longer agree with. It should be noted however, that we don't actually know that any current employees do object to what's going on at iStock. It's all speculation at this point.

Just wanted to add (because tone gets lost in writing) that I wasn't arguing with Retrorocket, or even disagreeing really. Just explaining how it looks from where I sit, and trying hard to keep a balanced perspective. Not easy these days!

Zephyr · « **Reply #26 on:** October 26, 2010, 20:56 »

^ I agree with you on most of your points.

These MSG, anything goes, threads can go off the deep end pretty quick. I just think there are some good Istock HQ people that are as unhappy about this situation as we are. Standing up to corporate injustice only works if you don't need the job.

I'm personally in wait and see mode. I should be able to make the 75k RC level for Gold, but if I don't I will drop exclusivity also.

ETA: I made the mistake of trusting and wasn't aggressive enough with freelance work. I developed some tunnel vision in wanting to become diamond and have let Istock become too large a portion of my income.

Amanda_K · « **Reply #27 on:** October 26, 2010, 21:02 »

Edited while you were posting

In my case I could see right away I wasn't going to make that target, but if it looked like I would have and if there had been a more fair set of vector targets and a little better handling of communication I'm sure I would have waited until at least January to decide. Sorry for being WAY off topic now! lol

Sadstock · « **Reply #28 on:** October 26, 2010, 21:07 »

Frankly I find it embarrassing to be associated with Istock at this point. They don't know if they've raised their own prices, or are afraid to tell buyers about it?

Wonder if any of the bloggers who wrote about the uproar about the September changes know about this stealth price increase...

http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istock-commission-changes-blog-lists-blogs/

Zephyr · « **Reply #29 on:** October 26, 2010, 21:10 »

Quote from: 9lives on October 26, 2010, 21:02

Edited while you were posting In my case I could see right away I wasn't going to make that target, but if it looked like I would have and if there had been a more fair set of vector targets and a little better handling of communication I'm sure I would have waited until at least January to decide. Sorry for being WAY off topic now! lol

I absolutely respect your decision. If it was a given that I would not make it to 75k then I would have already done the same.

Michael Lancaster · « **Reply #30 on:** October 27, 2010, 02:53 »

probably they are raising the prices only for the sizes who sells best.

helix7 · « **Reply #31 on:** October 27, 2010, 18:20 »

Exactly. This way if there is any backlash, they can say that they're only raising prices on a select few pricing levels of vectors. The majority of the prices are remaining the same. Which is, of course, true. It's just ignoring the fact that the vast majority of vector images on istock happen to fall into the 2 pricing levels that are changing.

What can appear to be a change to a small segment of the marketplace is really a 20% price hike for the majority of vector illustrations on istock.

halfshag · « **Reply #32 on:** October 27, 2010, 20:41 »

Why didn't they tell Jenn? Why didn't they tell us? Is it to help Vector people like myself make the grade (in year 1 at least) or to alleviate a backlash in January 2011. The 'something interesting for Illustrators' coming soon is an attempt to stop people leaving, hanging around on empty promises? They're just breading contempt & encouraging conspiracy. Silence from staff members on the forums means; they don't like you & don't need you.

What a hicking mess.

Chico · « **Reply #33 on:** October 29, 2010, 06:57 »

And the 15 credits vectors back to 14. Still no messages about it from Istock.

Shame, disrespect and mess. All amazing work from Bruce destroyed in three months.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #34 on:** October 29, 2010, 09:42 »

I had submitted a support ticket about this price increase - given no answers were forthcoming in the forum. No answer to the support ticket and the prices change back.

I guess that's a message, of sorts, albeit not a good one.

Tossers.

cthoman · « **Reply #35 on:** October 29, 2010, 10:08 »

Well, I'm glad that is over with and everything was resolved.

Sadstock · « **Reply #36 on:** October 29, 2010, 10:46 »

Leads me to wondering how much else they change on the site on a regular basis without anyone noticing... Maybe this was a test of the communities observation skills?

Maui · « **Reply #37 on:** October 29, 2010, 12:11 »

Quote from: Sadstock on October 29, 2010, 10:46

Leads me to wondering how much else they change on the site on a regular basis without anyone noticing... Maybe this was a test of the communities observation skills?

I guess it was a test, but they tested the impact of a price increase on buyer behavior.

jamirae · « **Reply #38 on:** October 29, 2010, 13:14 »

Quote from: Maui on October 29, 2010, 12:11

Quote from: Sadstock on October 29, 2010, 10:46
Leads me to wondering how much else they change on the site on a regular basis without anyone noticing... Maybe this was a test of the communities observation skills?

I guess it was a test, but they tested the impact of a price increase on buyer behavior.

not much of a test, since it was done so stealthly. If I was a buyer who purchased during the 'phantom' price increase time I'd be bit pissed that now the prices appear to be back down. stupid way to run a business. "Just keep quiet and maybe they won't notice."

who's running that ship anyway?

rct · « **Reply #39 on:** October 29, 2010, 15:28 »

Quote from: jamirae on October 29, 2010, 13:14

who's running that ship anyway?

and what I wonder is, where do they think they are taking it?

DiscreetDuck · « **Reply #40 on:** October 31, 2010, 05:03 »

12 credits back to 10 now...

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #41 on:** November 01, 2010, 17:22 »

The thread is now locked with a terse note that they test site features - like changing button colors and vector prices on one size - and this was such a situation.

Un-effing-believable!!

traveler1116 · « **Reply #42 on:** November 01, 2010, 17:24 »

Really that's the answer? Can't wait to hear about the ELs...

Amanda_K · « **Reply #43 on:** November 01, 2010, 21:04 »

Posted by Joyze: "We test a variety of features on the site for usability and performance. Remember when we tested the color change of the download button?

Some of these changes (like this particular one) may be temporary and others may become permanent. This kind of testing will help us ensure we balance the needs of the contributors, the customers and the business."

Since when are unannounced price fluctuations considered testing a "site feature"? To compare that to changing the color of a button is downright ridiculous. So it's completely okay to them that buyers for that week paid more than would normally, hoping they wouldn't notice? Was that the test? And don't we have a contract that we sign as contributors and rely on the posted prices to know at what price point our work is being sold? They really love to play with that "may change at any time" CYA clause these days it seems.

And why for the love all that is holy did it take 10 days to get that answer, despite pleas by the vector community. Really? Does this mean Jenn (Bortonia) tried to look in to it over a week ago and they kept her and ostensibly all other admins with access to the help forum in the dark? Or were we just not worthy of an answer. Because it feels more like the latter.

I think I'll go delete my last five illustrations. I have enough confidence in my work and in the many other avenues for licensing it that I don't need to stick around and be treated with such blatant disrespect.

Eireann · « **Reply #44 on:** November 01, 2010, 21:34 »

Hahahaha!
'Changing the colour of the download button!'
Hahahaha!
Clearly they think we're all a bunch of idiots.

Anyhow, thank you for the good laugh, Joyze.

MarkFGD · « **Reply #45 on:** November 01, 2010, 21:37 »

I liked them better when they were silent!

caspixel · « **Reply #46 on:** November 01, 2010, 21:46 »

Aww, c'mon guys...The iStockys! Woo-yay!

No?

molka · « **Reply #47 on:** November 02, 2010, 04:27 »

"Remember when we tested the color change of the download button?"

I vote brown, as for crap : )

john_woodcock · « **Reply #48 on:** November 02, 2010, 04:30 »

The question won't die!

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=270222&page=1

helix7 · « **Reply #49 on:** November 02, 2010, 10:37 »

I'm not sure what's more disturbing. The fact that iStock "tests" price changes in this way, or the fact that a price change test is likely a sign of changes to come, if not now then sometime in the near future. Maybe this was just a test, but the idea to test a price increase had to come out of a more broad discussion of where to make price changes and by how much.

Buyers beware, a permanent price hike is likely on the horizon.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #50 on:** November 02, 2010, 12:05 »

And Lobo has locked the thread asking for more information.

jen · « **Reply #51 on:** November 02, 2010, 12:08 »

"Remember when we tested the color change of the download button?"

This is so ridiculous. CHANGING THE PRICE is not the same as changing the colour of a stupid button. Wow.

donding · « **Reply #52 on:** November 02, 2010, 13:41 »

I'm not effected by vector prices because I don't have vectors on iStock, but the thing that bothers me the most is that we have to watch iStock like a hawk in hopes that they don't sneak a price increase or a % decrease under our noses just to meet the bottom line on their year end profit. It really makes me wonder how many out there are effected and don't even know about it and would never know because all they do is check balances....not which one sold for what.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #53 on:** November 04, 2010, 12:48 »

Just for completeness, I had said in a couple of (locked) IS threads on this topic that I'd post when I got an answer to my support ticket about the vector price hike.

I got an answer this morning from Joy. She apologized for the delay in replying and repeated what she'd said in the forums - a test of a site feature.

I'd have posted on IS if there was anywhere unlocked to post...

helix7 · « **Reply #54 on:** November 04, 2010, 14:18 »

Thanks for the update, Jo Ann.

Still a shame how this whole thing played out. I'm still assuming that this also means that a price hike is coming sometime soon, certainly within 2011. My take is that if someone is testing something, it's often to implement the tested feature at some future point in time.

caspixel · « **Reply #55 on:** November 04, 2010, 17:20 »

That has got to be the lamest excuse I've ever heard. Since WHEN do they "test" price increases like that? I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that a price hike is coming in 2011 though. It's a constant, like the changing of the seasons.