FAA - The Largest Art Site in the World?

[Ariene]

A year ago I paid $30 for my account on FAA and sold nothing, zero so I'm not going to renew it in 2015. How can I do this? I mean FAA takes the money from my card. Is it enough if I delete card number or shall I contact them to cancel paid account. I understand all my images stay in gallery but they just will not be on sale (except 25 files), right?

[ShadySue]

I'd start by cancelling my payment method first, then I'd tell them.
I noticed last year that they just took the payment before informing me in advance. I guess the rules are different in the US.

[Difydave]

I've had the same thing happen with one or two companies here in the uk. They seem to think that having a card number gives them a sort of "direct debit" There's usually something in the small print though about automatically taking payment etc.

[Maximilian]

watermark is still a joke..

[ShadySue]

I've had the same thing happen with one or two companies here in the uk. They seem to think that having a card number gives them a sort of "direct debit"

Yes, I was actually quite shocked when FAA took the money off for the second year. I would have renewed, but I didn't remember giving them any sort of authority to renew automatically. I'm pretty sure I didn't as I was just testing them out in the first year, and didn't have much confidence.

But like you say ...

There's usually something in the small print though about automatically taking payment etc.

Tangentially, I'm about to contact FastHosts. They took the money off for my husband's domain over a month early, and a week later they sent me two emails to tell me payment was due and would be taken within 30 days (which was correct) umless I cancelled.

[Mantis]

I got lucky because my cards were stolen so I have new ones. FAA has my old number. You unfortunately can't go in an delete your number. If I recall correctly, Joann Snover contacted them and they told her that it was a third party company who processes payments and she'd have to contact them to yank her credit card. FAA makes it VERY difficult for this exact reason....so they can keep hiding behind the 3rd party cloak and continue to bill your card. FAA is a borderline scam site in my opinion. Anyhow, my cards are obsolete and when my account expires I am done with them.

[ShadySue]

watermark is still a joke..

True, but how many fine art (not stock) sites can you find with obtrusive watermarks? It isn't normal in that business.

(Of course, the watermarks are no better on pixels.com.)

[Ariene]

...  they told her that it was a third party company who processes payments and she'd have to contact them to yank her credit card. ...

It's hard to believe!    This is just unacceptable that agency site gets money from our cards and gives no option to opt out! I wish I new earlier...
Btw. I was just testing FAA paid account - in conclusion it was not worth the effort in my case. They say all this beautiful words how great they are etc... but it doesn't work for me and as I see, for many people in internet (photos).

[Difydave]

I've had the same thing happen with one or two companies here in the uk. They seem to think that having a card number gives them a sort of "direct debit"

Yes, I was actually quite shocked when FAA took the money off for the second year. I would have renewed, but I didn't remember giving them any sort of authority to renew automatically. I'm pretty sure I didn't as I was just testing them out in the first year, and didn't have much confidence.

But like you say ...

There's usually something in the small print though about automatically taking payment etc.

Tangentially, I'm about to contact FastHosts. They took the money off for my husband's domain over a month early, and a week later they sent me two emails to tell me payment was due and would be taken within 30 days (which was correct) umless I cancelled.

I'm not that keen on any company having my card details to "keep" in that way for their convenience. I have one small monthly payment that's made that way, and that's fair enough. I know they'll take the amount monthly. I don't like this "we will take the amount when it's due" thing though. Particularly when they don't give prior notice. And through a third party! Great! Card numbers in some other unknown hands!
The one company I mentioned above got quite high handed when I told them I wanted to know about any money being taken beforehand. "That's the way we do business" Not with me they don't any more!

[Difydave]

Looks like in England at least you can cancel a "continuous payment authority" by telling your card issuer to do so. (The Scottish page looks as if it has the same info pretty well)
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/debt_e/debt_banking_e/stopping_a_future_payment_on_your_debit_or_credit_card.htm

[ShadySue]

Looks like in England at least you can cancel a "continuous payment authority" by telling your card issuer to do so. (The Scottish page looks as if it has the same info pretty well)
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/debt_e/debt_banking_e/stopping_a_future_payment_on_your_debit_or_credit_card.htm

Absolutely. That's why I suggested that as a first move in #501.

I'm going to quit the FastHosts payment via PayPal. First, so that it won't get taken off twice, Second so that we can reconsider next year and thirdly because when I tried to get into their support, the system told me my password had been changed (which explains why I couldn't get into his email) and they would send me details in an email, and the email hasn't come, almost two hours later.

[Difydave]

Ah yes! I didn't read it properly!
Bit too convenient the password getting changed like that?

[Semmick Photo]

I have been with FAA since June 2012, paid them $90 in total and made over $3000, well worth the money. But I sometimes dont understand that some portfolios, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyy better than mine, dont get sales there. I honestly do not understand that. Like Mantis, you should be selling like hotcakes there IMO, your work is great.

[pkphotos]

Companies like FAA that keep your credit card details so that they can automatically renew your membership are a scam. Since renewals are their primary source of income it's in their best interests to have this feature, so that many members simply forget their renewal date and have it done automatically, thereby renewing members who may have otherwise cancelled if they were sent a membership reminder prompt. Thankfully my credit card has changed so they won't be able to slyly go under the radar and process my membership renewal next week. And I won't be wasting another $30 even though I've managed to cover that expense in the past. FAA is now a waste of time for me, I have much better POD sites that are free and generate far superior sales.