Author Topic: Beware of Red Bubble (Read 23594 times)

litifeta · « **on:** February 10, 2008, 17:36 »

As an Australian, I hate to have to admit that an Australian site is not playing fair.

Last night I had a huge fight with the organisation on a number of issues - including manipulation of a forum posting - and have cancelled my account.

sharpshot · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2008, 18:03 »

Wow, that is dreadful. I uploaded some there but with only 1 sale after several months I gave up on them. Have you tried buying from other members you know to see if they record the sales? That would catch them out.

madelaide · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2008, 18:06 »

This is really bad news... I know people who are selling well there, but the no watermark policy was still keeping out of the site. Now this... It's a shame.

Have you contacted management?

Regards,
Adelaide

takestock · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2008, 18:10 »

I am a member at RB and have had a few sales- not many, so I wasn't too worried about that.

However, if this is the case, it certainly is to be deplored!!

litifeta · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2008, 18:20 »

The whole process is a bit dodgy for those who are used the functionality of IS, SS, and DT.

Like, you have no idea when a file is sold until they post something to tell you.

Never mind, I will use all my files for another site. I worked really hard and built up 350 graphics files.

vphoto · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2008, 18:25 »

My be the market already reached the mircosites saturation point? Look, even StockXpert and SV are not producing ! FT somehow got accelerated and may be this is eating away the morsels that are still left.

Phil · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2008, 21:38 »

Last night I had a huge fight with the organisation on a number of issues - including manipulation of a forum posting - and have cancelled my account.

what did they say about it?

question is are you talking enough money to get lawyers involved?

(or perhaps anonymous to the ato and mention dodgy dealings, an audit would at least p*ss them off

litifeta · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2008, 22:50 »

They have a habit of ignoring any correspondence.

I posted here just to warn others who have been helpful to me on microstock so they do not get caught.

I believe in what goes around comes around.

rene · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2008, 06:34 »

I think it's not only Red Bubble, others microstock sites can be dishonest too. We cannot check the numbers. Only Fotolia give download detail. It's risky to upload to all these slow earners. My portfolio
is at 16 sites, but 80% of my income comes from IS and SS. Why ?

leaf · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2008, 06:55 »

Quote from: rene on February 11, 2008, 06:34

I think it's not only Red Bubble, others microstock sites can be dishonest too. We cannot check the numbers. Only Fotolia give download detail. It's risky to upload to all these slow earners. My portfolio
is at 16 sites, but 80% of my income comes from IS and SS. Why ?

well it would be pretty easy to check by downloading someone else's iamge and seeing if they get paid for it.

If a site is being dishonest I think they would be shut down pretty fast.

Peiling · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2008, 08:04 »

oopss...sounds really bad and fishy....i uploaded a few things but have not sold anything there.....guess another one of those sites....sigh......

Enjoylife · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2008, 08:13 »

If that is true about "Red Bubble", i think everybody that uses the site should know and remove every image
If a site is dishonest they should be put out of business A.S.P.

Is there any more proof ?

Karimala · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2008, 12:10 »

I had something happen about two weeks ago that may or may not be related.

My sales list on the site says that two cards were sold on January 31, but I only received an e-mail about one of the sales. I didn't think enough of it at the time to contact support, but the OP has me thinking I should probably check with them.

Freedom · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2008, 12:29 »

If what you said was true, why don't you report RedBubble to Australian police?

Sounds like you can almost prove fraud.

hospitalera · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2008, 13:10 »

I have an account on Red Bubble, I had no sales, the uploading/ key wording is awful over there, I read this thread = I had an account at Red Bubble (freshly deleted) Thanks for posting it! SY

Bateleur · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2008, 15:28 »

I was interested when I heard about Red Bubble, but was wary because of their lack of watermarking.

I joined, then e-mailed them about it. This was the reply I received:

I appreciate your concern and we have looked at this a lot. Large watermarks (which we have tried) seriously impact sales.

In addition any image you can get from RedBubble is far less in quality than you could scan from a magazine (or take a shot of in a gallery). On balance we have to err on the side of showing images which are attractive and people are likely to buy while minimizing the chances of having them stolen by being compressed. You could only print a very small photo of the images at that resolution.

To say that watermarks affect sales is rubbish. And the scan argument is a red herring. I decided to let my membership remain dormant.

litifeta · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2008, 17:32 »

For those that are interested, i did report this to the Police. The answer from the police was: "what do you want us to do about it".

They basically said it was a commercial matter that should be dealt with by solicitors, not a criminal matter for the police.

Contakt · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2008, 18:42 »

That's enough for me . Just cancelled my account and thaks for takig the time to tell us of yr experiecne.

Freedom · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2008, 19:09 »

Litifeta, if they just missed one or two sales, I'd say it would be a commercial matter or even an innocent mistake. But if the situation repeats, it will warrant police investigation.

There should also be a government department dealing with business fraud and business fairness. You can also contact the tax authorities to see if they will audit the business.

Quote from: litifeta on February 11, 2008, 17:32

For those that are interested, i did report this to the Police. The answer from the police was: "what do you want us to do about it".

They basically said it was a commercial matter that should be dealt with by solicitors, not a criminal matter for the police.

rossco · « **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2008, 19:17 »

V for Vendetta · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2008, 14:35 »

David, You were removed from Red Bubble because you were stalking and harassing another member, so lets stop all this hot air shall we?

Bateleur · « **Reply #21 on:** February 12, 2008, 15:02 »

Quote from: V for Vendetta on February 12, 2008, 14:35

David, You were removed from Red Bubble because you were stalking and harassing another member, so lets stop all this hot air shall we?

Who's David?

V for Vendetta · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2008, 15:04 »

He knows who he is. That's the only thing of relevance.

anonymous · « **Reply #23 on:** February 12, 2008, 16:19 »

Quote from: V for Vendetta on February 12, 2008, 15:04

He knows who he is. That's the only thing of relevance.

so are you saying this thread is really a disgruntled, unwarranted slur? After this started, I went and combed the RB forums in search of anything similar and only came up with people complaining that there is no "tally" feature on the sales.

if anyone has any "proof" that this is going on, please pony up...

hospitalera · « **Reply #24 on:** February 12, 2008, 16:28 »

Quote from: V for Vendetta on February 12, 2008, 15:04

He knows who he is. That's the only thing of relevance.

Pardon me and who are you? A user name that translate to "revenge" and two posts doesn't give you to much credibility in my eyes. Either you are a troll that has nothing to do with red bubble and/ or microstock in general and just enjoys trolling or you are a really a supporter of red bubble then your behaviour really sheds a bad light on them. SY

anonymous · « **Reply #25 on:** February 12, 2008, 16:29 »

i don't know...i think he DOES know something....

although "V" was the latest member to subscribe today....

abominablejoystick · « **Reply #26 on:** February 12, 2008, 20:40 »

Quote from: hospitalera on February 12, 2008, 16:28

Pardon me and who are you? A user name that translate to "revenge" and two posts doesn't give you to much credibility in my eyes. Either you are a troll that has nothing to do with red bubble and/ or microstock in general and just enjoys trolling or you are a really a supporter of red bubble then your behaviour really sheds a bad light on them. SY

V is not a troll. V knows about what litifeta did and so do we.
litifeta is not professional - any professional person trying to build a profile for themselves on the net wouldn't send derogatory and inflammatory personal messages to people on sites when they disagree with him.

Also - these posts will be deleted by litifeta. He is well known for removing posts that object to his unprofessional behaviour.

digiology · « **Reply #27 on:** February 12, 2008, 21:30 »

the plot thickens...

Bateleur · « **Reply #28 on:** February 13, 2008, 01:58 »

I suggest we all ignore this thread from now on.

A bad case of troll infestation.

leaf · « **Reply #29 on:** February 13, 2008, 06:27 »

This thread is now locked.

I suggest the disgruntled parties solve their disagreements through the proper channels.. weather it be the police, a mediator, or friendly emails and not on a public forum.

kkart · « **Reply #30 on:** March 03, 2008, 05:25 »

Quote from: madelaide on February 10, 2008, 18:06

This is really bad news... I know people who are selling well there, but the no watermark policy was still keeping out of the site. Now this... It's a shame.

Have you contacted management?

Regards,
Adelaide

What do you mean by 'no watermark' policy?? As in your own custom watermark? Because you can actually choose to have watermarks on your images, but you must select it, and it is one provided from RB

kkart · « **Reply #31 on:** March 03, 2008, 05:28 »

Quote from: litifeta on February 10, 2008, 17:36

As an Australian, I hate to have to admit that an Australian site is not playing fair.

Last night I had a huge fight with the organisation on a number of issues - including manipulation of a forum posting - and have cancelled my account.

Wow how exactly was your post manipulated?? I honestly am a huge mark for RB and really think what they have going is wonderful, there really isn't another site like it, though one I recently learned about "Artist Riding" http://artist.artistrising.com/Community/CommunityHome.aspx does look like it may have some promise to it!

kkart · « **Reply #32 on:** March 03, 2008, 05:36 »

FYI on RB....
It seems some of ya postiung above may have RB mixed up with micro's, which they aren't. They are yet another avenue for revenue for your images, the print arena. I have actually done quite well on there, but the key is being active over there, think of it as kinda a flickr meets a sales strategy. I will say this, the quality of the cards and prints is pretty nice! Seeing my work on greeting cards is something I have always dreamt of, and I am seriously thinking of ordering quite a few and hitting up some local card retailers and seeing if I can get them carried. I haven't spoke with RB yet, but I do recall something about a big discount on your own work, and also more if it's in bulk. So far I have sold 6 prints and 19 greeting cards. I am here if anyone wishes to add me http://www.redbubble.com/people/kkart or shoot the breeze sometime

Just remember, it isn't like a micro where you upload and 'fuhget' about it. To be seen and your art to be seen, you have to make yourself known and that does require some time and work, though not a lot. Get in groups, and most of all comment on people's work.

takestock · « **Reply #33 on:** March 03, 2008, 06:02 »

As it stands at the moment, because of the increasing size of RB - if you don't get involved in the community your images won't be seen or go anywhere.

I don't see it as a very practical way of trying to flog your work by endlessly commenting on others - and also for the amount of time involved to have to sit at your PC for hours on end.

It's alright for people who like the community thing, have time on their hands and like to talk about "catching the flu or choosing a name for their new dog"!

madelaide · « **Reply #34 on:** March 03, 2008, 06:59 »

Quote from: kkart on March 03, 2008, 05:25

What do you mean by 'no watermark' policy?? As in your own custom watermark? Because you can actually choose to have watermarks on your images, but you must select it, and it is one provided from RB

They didn't have WMs. They do now?

About ArtistRising, don't get very excited. If you check their forum, a lot of people complain they're not selling anything there, except the images that were in Art.com before they created AR. I can't tell much with a ridiculous portfolio of 7 images, but indeed all I sold were the old images in Art.com. There are people there however with a huge portfolio and they say that it's only what they have in Art.com that generate any income. Management may pick images from AR to Art.com, but it seems a rare event.

Regards,
Adelaide

null · « **Reply #35 on:** March 03, 2008, 07:45 »

Quote from: takestock on March 03, 2008, 06:02

As it stands at the moment, because of the increasing size of RB - if you don't get involved in the community your images won't be seen or go anywhere.

Community site is just newspeak for sites that make you lose valuable time commenting instead of doing photography

On Topic: what is the status of RedBubble now? This thread has been very confusing with the trolling. Is the site reliable and clean and was it just all gossip?

GeoPappas · « **Reply #36 on:** March 03, 2008, 07:54 »

Quote from: madelaide on March 03, 2008, 06:59

Quote from: kkart on March 03, 2008, 05:25
What do you mean by 'no watermark' policy?? As in your own custom watermark? Because you can actually choose to have watermarks on your images, but you must select it, and it is one provided from RB

They didn't have WMs. They do now?

I just checked and they still have the same useless watemark that they used to have - it is a very tiny amount of text in the bottom right of the picture. It would be very easy to clone out or even crop out if someone wanted to.

I refuse to upload my images to any site that doesn't offer them decent protection (via a good watermark). Without a decent watermark, they might as well stick the word "FREE" above your images.

sharpshot · « **Reply #37 on:** March 03, 2008, 08:36 »

I wouldn't mind leaving comments if there were good sales but they are very poor and it just isn't worth the effort.

Those that do well there are making a fraction of the money you can with the micros and they are spending lots of time on the site.

kkart · « **Reply #38 on:** March 04, 2008, 05:12 »

Quote from: FlemishDreams on March 03, 2008, 07:45

Quote from: takestock on March 03, 2008, 06:02
As it stands at the moment, because of the increasing size of RB - if you don't get involved in the community your images won't be seen or go anywhere.
Community site is just newspeak for sites that make you lose valuable time commenting instead of doing photography

On Topic: what is the status of RedBubble now? This thread has been very confusing with the trolling. Is the site reliable and clean and was it just all gossip?

The site is clean, reliable, and well I honestly love it! Heck, if they were hiring I would send my application off to them!

I really believe in what they are doing and I will explain why....basically youhave one other model for a system like this, deviantArt, and yes I sell on there too. The difference is though is that Redbubble.com is free, 100% so, and deviantArt actually charges you a yearly fee to have a prints account! So to make anything above a mere 10% and set your own markup on deviantArt, you have to purchase a prints account there. This is non-existant with RB. I have found the staff and the owners of the RB very helpful and they are all ears and eyes when it comes to implimenting new ideas, they are big time open to suggestions. All of which can be done on the forums.

As far as the community goes, I don't mind that at all, in fact I have learned a few new techniques! It is a much more serious crowd on RB than most community art sites, where the skill level is quite high. I have seen no beginners on there for instance. They also have a referral program, where after so many refrrals you can get free prints, tshirts, greeting cards, etc.

One thing that DOES make them stand out and unique is they have taken a step forward and have actually been advertising in print magazines, something I have never seen any other site similar do...big props on that!

All in all, I say yes, go for it, it's free afterall. Nothing to lose!

kkart · « **Reply #39 on:** March 04, 2008, 05:15 »

Quote from: sharpshot on March 03, 2008, 08:36

I wouldn't mind leaving comments if there were good sales but they are very poor and it just isn't worth the effort.

Those that do well there are making a fraction of the money you can with the micros and they are spending lots of time on the site.

I would say true to an extent, but a lotta the images I have on RB, aren't very marketable in a micro sense. So that is where the flip side comes in...it allows me to sell more of my landscape and fine art images

GeoPappas · « **Reply #40 on:** March 04, 2008, 06:36 »

Quote from: kkart on March 04, 2008, 05:12

All in all, I say yes, go for it, it's free afterall. Nothing to lose!

Yeah, nothing to lose except your non-watermarked images that almost anyone can hijack.

Thanks but no thanks.

Like I said, anyone that doesn't respect copyright infringement and theft will never see my images.

Bateleur · « **Reply #41 on:** March 04, 2008, 10:43 »

Quote from: GeoPappas on March 04, 2008, 06:36

Quote from: kkart on March 04, 2008, 05:12
All in all, I say yes, go for it, it's free afterall. Nothing to lose!

Yeah, nothing to lose except your non-watermarked images that almost anyone can hijack.

Thanks but no thanks.

That's the reason I wouldn't upload anything there. I wrote to them and got a rather lame excuse that watermarks "... seriously impact sales."

I don't notice that happening on the microstock sites.

sharpshot · « **Reply #42 on:** March 04, 2008, 11:06 »

Don't zazzle do everything red bubble do and more? I uploaded a few there and had more luck than with rb. They are also a free site but seem to have more buyers. They even have a watermark.

Gregor909 · « **Reply #43 on:** March 04, 2008, 16:25 »

Quote from: kkart on March 03, 2008, 05:36

Just remember, it isn't like a micro where you upload and 'fuhget' about it.

Yes you can !

http://www.redbubble.com/people/gregorio/clothing/261505-10-fuhgeddaboudit

PecoFoto · « **Reply #44 on:** March 05, 2008, 19:40 »

Quote from: GeoPappas on March 04, 2008, 06:36

Quote from: kkart on March 04, 2008, 05:12
All in all, I say yes, go for it, it's free afterall. Nothing to lose!

Yeah, nothing to lose except your non-watermarked images that almost anyone can hijack.

Thanks but no thanks.

Like I said, anyone that doesn't respect copyright infringement and theft will never see my images.

I was contacted through RedBubble by the copyright collection agency VISCOPY. It seems one of my photographs on Redbubble was used possibly by an educational or government institution and that I was owed a royalty payment. They got back to me today to arrange payment

So it does look like images on RedBubble are being used for purposes other than intended, I guess I just got lucky!

Bateleur · « **Reply #45 on:** March 06, 2008, 03:08 »

Quote from: PecoFoto on March 05, 2008, 19:40

Quote from: GeoPappas on March 04, 2008, 06:36
Quote from: kkart on March 04, 2008, 05:12
All in all, I say yes, go for it, it's free afterall. Nothing to lose!

Yeah, nothing to lose except your non-watermarked images that almost anyone can hijack.

Thanks but no thanks.

Like I said, anyone that doesn't respect copyright infringement and theft will never see my images.

So it does look like images on RedBubble are being used for purposes other than intended, I guess I just got lucky!

That proves it! As you said, you're lucky that it was an honest agency.

I wonder how many other times are images used from Red Bubble without the copyright owner ever being aware.

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Author Topic: Beware of Red Bubble (Read 23594 times)

digiology

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