Before subs I got around 80 sales / month at StockXpert. When they introduced subs I noticed that next few months the combined sales volume was same (around 80-90 images), but my income dropped to 2/3. I opted out early in this month and my sales level is same as last three months but the income went back to same level before subs...My portfolio is small (around 1000 images) and mainly focused on food and still life images so no huge sales there anyway.

Can anybody confirm similar behaviour? I'm afraid that stokfoto's concerns are quite correct. I do not get why they give money away by allowing XL size subs, because it seems that users buy images even if they are not awailable in subs sales.

I will continue to opt out crusade to get more data about it:).

br, MJP

I'm going to have to watch my numbers for a couple more months before a clear trend can be determined, because January sucked on both levels.  It is interesting to note that December, in the subscription service's second full month, stayed in line with September - November in terms of volume.  The only difference is that credit sales dropped and subscription sales increased...not a good sign. 

September:  102 credit sales  subscription not yet implemented  102 total sales
October:  111 credit sales  2 subscription sales  113 total sales
November:  108 credit sales  14 subscription sales  122 total sales
December: 80 credit sales  35 subscription sales  115 total sales
January: 74 credit sales  12 subscription sales  86 total sales (yuck)

When are they implementing the new pricing?  I'm still seeing the same old prices.

Just had my first XS sale, so indeed it's working now.  Woohoo! 

It's great to see them finally step in line with the other sites.  I've been peeved about their pricing ever since they first announced the XL size would start at 7.8 MP just two weeks after I bought my first DSLR...a 6 MP Nikon D70s.  That didn't sit too well with me, because my camera cost as much as Canon's equal at the time, which was 8 MP.  It's great that the photos I shot with my D70s will now start earning decent commissions, like they already do elsewhere.

When are they implementing the new pricing?  I'm still seeing the same old prices.

I talked someone at LO yesterday morning, and she said they are having system wide problems at the moment.  That's all I know.

Thanks, Sharpshot!  I was wondering what the heck was going on.  Thought maybe my math skills had seriously deteriorated overnight or I had started hallucinating!  ;-)

But...it looks like IS is rolling back the prices for buyers in the UK and Euro, so I'm assuming the great commissions will be coming to an end soon.  :-(

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=63203&page=1

Sometimes I think my lack of sales at FP have been due to my overall lack of understanding about licensing models. 

Oh, c'mon guys.  I'm begging you...please give me a break about LO.  It would be really nice to be able to talk about the site without folks casting a suspicious eye on me.  I was just responding to Flemish Dreams' and the other comparison posts.  He and I have had the exact opposite experiences with FP and LO for a long time, and I'm really interested in learning why my portfolio is doing so poorly at FP and okay at LO while others are having contrasting experiences.  I'm not trying to bring FP down or promote LO...I'm simply trying to understand the differences and would like to participate in the discussion, if that's okay.

SS would be last on my list.  I think they're great - but I don't think they are a good investment for the future.

Agreed 100%!!! 

I'm on 17 Micro / Macro websites while I feel out my niche.   While sales have been slow at L.O.  I would rank it as my favorite "look".  My only issue is, I can't get the FTP to work.

LO recently underwent a major upgrade, and FTP has been temporarily disabled while the kinks are worked out.  It should be back up soon.

SS has the right idea with a 50 keyword limit.  Lione is known as PhotoPrince at SS, and there's no keyword spam from what I can see in him portfolio.

http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-84354p1.html

Larry?  He used the keyword Larry?!   Curly, Moe...where for art thou? 

I've contacted them twice...the first time they responded, the second time they did not.  Both times they approved some of the rejected photos.  Just keep checking your portfolio.  Their answer will show up eventually.

I used to earn several hundred $$$ per month at IS...now I'm barely making the minimum payout in a month.  It's just been a steady decline since my BME in March.  Don't know what's going on, but I wish it would stop.