Author Topic: what da? istock... (Read 7877 times)

VB inc · « **on:** April 13, 2011, 13:11 »

This afternoon I get an email from someone that wants to purchase one of my files and cant through istock. She tells me istock told her that "istock is dismantling their site". Thats her words she used. I am not sure if thats correct but what is correct is that she cannot dl my images for some odd reason and needed to contact me directly.
Leads me to think of one of two things. Site doesnt work and has major issues and that might account for substantial drops in dl reported by some. Our files gets turned off and on for purchases which is highly unlikely imo but these days it seems anything goes.
One more what da eff moment as i read this troubling email from my gmail account. The advertisements on the side of the email is for THINKSTOCK. so istock/getty pays google to advertise in emails anything with the word "istock" gets a thinkstock ad.

Chico · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2011, 13:16 »

Well, buyers were complaining yesterday:

"Desperate: I tried this several times (American Express) not only Istock does not answer emails - never! But this is not working and no answers.... I promise if I hadnt spent so many hours looking at pictures I would immediatly run to another provider... WHEN WILL THIS GET FIXED? Thank you"

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=316522&page=1

disorderly · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2011, 13:21 »

I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.

stockastic · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2011, 13:22 »

They're sending new lenscaps to all their customers.

jamirae · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2011, 13:22 »

Quote from: VB inc on April 13, 2011, 13:11

This afternoon I get an email from someone that wants to purchase one of my files and cant through istock. She tells me istock told her that "istock is dismantling their site". Thats her words she used. I am not sure if thats correct but what is correct is that she cannot dl my images for some odd reason and needed to contact me directly.
Leads me to think of one of two things. Site doesnt work and has major issues and that might account for substantial drops in dl reported by some. Our files gets turned off and on for purchases which is highly unlikely imo but these days it seems anything goes.
One more what moment as i read this troubling email from my gmail account. The advertisements on the side of the email is for THINKSTOCK. so istock/getty pays google to advertise in emails anything with the word "istock" gets a thinkstock ad.

that kind of sounds a bit fishy to me. make sure it's not some scammer trying to get you to give them your files. Did she call iStock directly? as much as they are screwed up right now, I don't really think an iStock employee would tell a customer "we are dismantling the site." I think you should dig a little deeper into her story.

Zephyr · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2011, 13:35 »

I would say that lady sounds like a scammer. I've had plenty of questionable emails myself.

In regards to Thinkstock, I think that it is true that whenever Istockphoto shows up in an email on gmail a Thinkstock ad appears. I've been noticing that for some time now.

I don't think Istock will ever be dismantled because of the name recognition but we would be very naive to think that Getty doesn't want Thinkstock to overtake Istock at some point. Getty gets a bigger cut with less transparency. Why wouldn't they want that?

VB inc · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2011, 13:36 »

Quote from: jamirae on April 13, 2011, 13:22

that kind of sounds a bit fishy to me. make sure it's not some scammer trying to get you to give them your files. Did she call iStock directly? as much as they are screwed up right now, I don't really think an iStock employee would tell a customer "we are dismantling the site." I think you should dig a little deeper into her story.

It does sound fishy to me also. I would be relieved if it is a scammer in this case. I replied back questioning her statement regarding dismantling the site. She replied back

"Yes, I emailed them and got a call from a man from a 212- area code, which is New York City saying that the image was no longer available and that they were in the process
of dismantling the site. I am sorry that this has upset you, and I am not making this up! So........what I propose is that I try one more time and let you know how successful I am, ok?"

loop · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2011, 13:41 »

Obvious and typical scam.

stockastic · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2011, 13:47 »

This is too weird. If it is a scam, what's it's point?

Worried Sick · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2011, 13:49 »

Quote from: loop on April 13, 2011, 13:41

Obvious and typical scam.

Agreed. Sounds like a typical scam. First thing copy and paste the full header of the email you received into this web site to find out where the person is located that you sent you the email:

http://www.iptrackeronline.com/header.php

You might find they are located in a suspicious country in either Asia or West Africa.

Secondly, how would a photo buyer get your email address? Normally email addresses don't show to photo buyers on iStock. Or did he/she PM you though the internal message system?

Ask them for their phone number and say you would like to call to discuss and then match the country code of their phone number with their country location based upon their IP address from their email header and see if it is a match. You might find they give you a forwarding number from another country different from where they are located.

Then, if they are a confirmed scammer, send them a huge hi-res 100meg TIF file of just black color in the file and tell them you are sending them the file for free because of all their troubles.

Chico · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2011, 14:02 »

I just receive this sitemail:

I was wondering what you might sell your usage for your "lightbox XX" and "lightbox XXX" collections for as a whole group? Just let me know.

Thoughts? I'm bit confused about what he wants. He can just buy entire lightboxes, no?

ShadySue · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2011, 14:05 »

Quote from: Chico on April 13, 2011, 14:02

I just receive this sitemail:

I was wondering what you might sell your usage for your "lightbox XX" and "lightbox XXX" collections for as a whole group? Just let me know.

Thoughts? I'm bit confused about what he wants. He can just buy entire lightboxes, no?

Looks like they're trying to get you to sell privately, maybe undercut iStock's price. You could just tell them to purchase the lightboxes they have. If they won't do it, consider reporting them to Support.

Worried Sick · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2011, 14:09 »

Quote from: Chico on April 13, 2011, 14:02

I just receive this sitemail:

I was wondering what you might sell your usage for your "lightbox XX" and "lightbox XXX" collections for as a whole group? Just let me know.

Thoughts? I'm bit confused about what he wants. He can just buy entire lightboxes, no?

Yes, of course he/she can. You have nothing to do directly with prices or sales. Now things are getting even wonkier. Tell him you don't set the prices, istock does, and that there is a buy this lightbox button at the lower right-hand corner of each of the light boxes for his/her convenience.

Chico · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2011, 14:30 »

Quote from: Worried Sick on April 13, 2011, 14:09

Quote from: Chico on April 13, 2011, 14:02
I just receive this sitemail:

I was wondering what you might sell your usage for your "lightbox XX" and "lightbox XXX" collections for as a whole group? Just let me know.

Thoughts? I'm bit confused about what he wants. He can just buy entire lightboxes, no?

Yes, of course he/she can. You have nothing to do directly with prices or sales. Now things are getting even wonkier. Tell him you don't set the prices, istock does, and that there is a buy this lightbox button at the lower right-hand corner of each of the light boxes for his/her convenience.

Thanks, WS. Exactly what i did.

admin · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2011, 14:55 »

.. changed the subject to a more family friendly title.

click_click · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2011, 15:12 »

Quote from: disorderly on April 13, 2011, 13:21

I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.

That was really funny!

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2011, 15:19 »

Quote from: Worried Sick on April 13, 2011, 13:49

... First thing copy and paste the full header of the email you received into this web site to find out where the person is located that you sent you the email:

http://www.iptrackeronline.com/header.php

Thanks for posting that link - that's very helpful.

VB inc · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2011, 15:22 »

sorry admin... im not too family friendly =P

jamirae · « **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2011, 15:24 »

Quote from: VB inc on April 13, 2011, 13:36

Quote from: jamirae on April 13, 2011, 13:22
that kind of sounds a bit fishy to me. make sure it's not some scammer trying to get you to give them your files. Did she call iStock directly? as much as they are screwed up right now, I don't really think an iStock employee would tell a customer "we are dismantling the site." I think you should dig a little deeper into her story.

It does sound fishy to me also. I would be relieved if it is a scammer in this case. I replied back questioning her statement regarding dismantling the site. She replied back

"Yes, I emailed them and got a call from a man from a 212- area code, which is New York City saying that the image was no longer available and that they were in the process
of dismantling the site. I am sorry that this has upset you, and I am not making this up! So........what I propose is that I try one more time and let you know how successful I am, ok?"

why would istock have a NYC area code when they are in Calgary? phishy - phishy..

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2011, 15:39 »

Quote from: disorderly on April 13, 2011, 13:21

I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.

you wanted more security. this is a scam. if you hate everything istock why don't you quit.

disorderly · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2011, 15:47 »

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on April 13, 2011, 15:39

Quote from: disorderly on April 13, 2011, 13:21
I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.

you wanted more security. this is a scam. if you hate everything istock why don't you quit.

The comments in the iStock forum thread don't appear to be a scam. There does (or did) appear to be a total failure in iStock's credit card processing, keeping customers from buying credits. That's only security in the sense that bricking over your doors and windows is security. No one can get in, you can't get out.

As for your last statement, that's called "assuming facts not in evidence." In any event, I am removing my content from iStock a little at a time. I put in enough effort to put images up that I'd like to earn what I can while I reverse the process.

(I would tell you what to do with your suggestion, but my mom and the forum software don't like that kind of language.)

luissantos84 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2011, 15:48 »

I have a blast in this forum everyday

Phil · « **Reply #22 on:** April 13, 2011, 16:12 »

Quote from: disorderly on April 13, 2011, 13:21

I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.

LOL

VB inc · « **Reply #23 on:** April 13, 2011, 16:20 »

it wasnt a scam.... the file was just downloaded. this isnt a file that sells often so its not a coincidence.

jsmithzz · « **Reply #24 on:** April 13, 2011, 18:26 »

Quote from: Chico on April 13, 2011, 13:16

Well, buyers were complaining yesterday:

"Desperate: I tried this several times (American Express) not only Istock does not answer emails - never! But this is not working and no answers.... I promise if I hadnt spent so many hours looking at pictures I would immediatly run to another provider... WHEN WILL THIS GET FIXED? Thank you"

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=316522&page=1

That doesn't sound good. They screw up best match, search is still crap, and now they can't even take peoples' money without screwing things up.

michaeldb · « **Reply #25 on:** April 13, 2011, 18:47 »

Quote from: Phil on April 13, 2011, 16:12

Quote from: disorderly on April 13, 2011, 13:21
I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.
LOL

+;D

hoi ha · « **Reply #26 on:** April 13, 2011, 19:40 »

The site is beond glitchy - my office has not been able to access our istock account in close to a month - annoying but not fatal since we really don't buy there very often - but support said they didn't know how to help us and were unable to solve the technical issues - so am I surprised? No - but all I kept thinking about is if we could no longer access our accounts due to one of their glitches, how many other buyers are having this problem too.

ingesche · « **Reply #27 on:** April 14, 2011, 02:23 »

Hey everyone, I know I am just a small contributor but I thought this would be of interest to some of you, and MAY be related to the problems reported in this thread. I just created a support ticket because I am experiencing problems with some of my images.

When I looked at my files today, I noticed that some of them are suddenly "missing". The descriptions are there, but not the images. In the Details list, everything looks normal except the little thumbnails for those images. I see dashes instead.

In addition, when I click the Edit link for those images, I get the edit window where I can change the description, etc., but the images themselves are not shown.

Some of the thumbnails do show up in my portfolio, others don't. However, when I click them, all I see is an empty page. No image, no descriptions, nothing.

At least 4 images are affected by this and, unfortunately for me, one is my second best seller.

Regards,
Inge

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #28 on:** April 14, 2011, 02:58 »

I've seen this a few times, Inge. I thought it was just a connection time-out but perhaps it is a bug. I think it is just a temporary problem that fixes itself quite fast.

ingesche · « **Reply #29 on:** April 14, 2011, 03:38 »

Thanks for letting me know. If you have a large portfolio, you might not even notice. But in my case, it's all the more obvious.

ShadySue · « **Reply #30 on:** April 14, 2011, 05:23 »

Quote from: ingesche on April 14, 2011, 03:38

Thanks for letting me know. If you have a large portfolio, you might not even notice. But in my case, it's all the more obvious.

It's been happening on and off for years. Annoying, but a few refreshes usually solves it. Shouldn't do it, no reason to make buyers have to refresh or 'empty their cache' as seems to be the general 'first suggestions'. What if you have reason to want NOT to 'empty your cache'?

ingesche · « **Reply #31 on:** April 14, 2011, 05:34 »

Unfortunately, even emptying the cache and reloading did not do the trick for me. But my images are back now, so it must be some sort of glitch in their system.

jameslee · « **Reply #32 on:** April 19, 2011, 03:51 »

Quote from: disorderly on April 13, 2011, 13:21

I guess iStock has decided that customer money isn't going to make them happy.

seawhisper · « **Reply #33 on:** April 19, 2011, 07:11 »

So how did it all go? You managed to find out if she really had problem or was it a scam? Btw if she can't download photos from istock, why not giving her link to your portfolio on other stock? (If you have one?)

VB inc · « **Reply #34 on:** April 19, 2011, 09:20 »

Quote from: seawhisper on April 19, 2011, 07:11

So how did it all go? You managed to find out if she really had problem or was it a scam? Btw if she can't download photos from istock, why not giving her link to your portfolio on other stock? (If you have one?)

she managed to download my artwork after a couple of hours. I am sure its the glitchy system on istock that prevented her from purchasing it. I am an exclusive there so no other stock. The rest of her story seemed really bizarre. The person that told her they were "dismantling" the site probably said something to the effect of server change or something like that.

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