Istock is down again. And ofcourse, the dreaded webpage has returned...

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Thanks for visiting the 1979 version iStockphoto. We�re working to get the site back to the future as quickly as we can. In the meantime, check out the coupon code below and be sure to come back soon.

Is it a W8-BEN form? Why can't you just fill it in as an 'Individual', thus not requiring an ITIN?

You guys should find some financial investors, because you can't wait 5+ years for a company to flourish, especially not in the stock industry. It takes aggressive marketing and advertising to get those customers in and make some sales. Exactly what are you waiting for? You now have the 1 million+ images, a decent website, quality images, now DO something with it.

Why do we need to provide ITIN to DP for contributors from countries with tax treaty with USA?

Shutterstock, Fotolia, istock, RF123, Canstock, Bigstock and almost every other microstock don't require such a condition. They have found out we don't need ITIN.

Applying ITIN is such a pain. You practically need to hire a lawyer or accountant in USA to help you with it which easily costs you $250. A friend has tried to do it himself. His applications were rejected by IRS 3 times with little reasons given.

According to DP we're going to face 30% tax withheld without ITIN.

You don't need an ITIN. I'm not from the US (my country has a 0% tax treaty with the US) and I didn't have to apply for an ITIN either. Make sure you fill in this form as in individual to prevent any hassles.

I'm staying in as well. Uploading takes no time (I upload to all sites at once) so there's nothing to lose. But I think more marketing couldn't hurt.

I received no e-mail and my spam filter is okay.

Quote from: Noedelhap on December 08, 2011, 17:50

If I hadn't lost my patience with this pathetic Istock-site already, I'd lose it now. I want to see my stats, my proper balance and my last downloads. NOW.

Didn't you read what Lobo wrote? "Let's all save the time it takes to post unhelpful complaints and wait for news."

Yeah, waiting, something Istock is very fond of. Waiting till eternity.

Hi All,

1. Paid downloads = creds + subs
2. If you have a good portfolio and are having good downloads, you can appeal ...
3. As long as you make the cut, your commission share will still be 50%

Hope everyone is clearer with the explanation above.

Alex.

Please answer the following questions:

1. Why didn't we get to hear this via a site e-mail or a frontpage announcement? Not every contributor reads the MSG forums.
2. Why didn't you announce it 3 months prior?
3. Why punish contributors with a commission cut anyway? Contributors should be rewarded for being at 123RF, not penalized.

I think you don't need to enter these characters, just the words will do; AFAIK, comma's, dots, tildes and other symbols can be ignored.

LOL, i had a sale 2 hours late

If they don't, what will you do as a contributor? If they do, will the gesture do anything to boost your trust?

I can't do anything really.

And no, my trust in them is long gone.

That looks like someone hacked the site seeing how they aren't even calling it iStock......iStache??

It's a pun on 'moustache', from the 'Movember' event, where people can grow a Moustache to collect money for cancer research. Apparently, Istock is participating.

I don't understand the childish and unprofessional behavior. The twitter page seems to be run by one person who speaks like an individual, and the error page treats both contributors and clients as if they are 8-year olds. Do they really think people will laugh at their "funny" monsters and 1979 jokes? Many companies around the world rely on Istock for their images. They have deadlines to meet, projects to finish, yet Istock thinks we all live in a happy little joyful candyland where business and economics is of secondary importance. They don't seem to care what kind of message this conveys. Not just the downtime in itself is horrible, but the way they present it is horrible as well.