Author Topic: Very large number of SOD sales! (Read 16662 times)

fritz · « **on:** April 25, 2013, 12:12 »

Well, within one hour I had 14 SOD dl for 13$. Looks like a fraud to me? What do you think?

Poncke · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2013, 12:17 »

Shutterstock doesnt have ELs for 13 dollars. Those are SODs. If they are the same subject, it would appear to be legit. And scammers dont pay top dollar for getting an image. They can get the same image for sub prices. But if you are worried, [email protected]

stockmarketer · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2013, 12:17 »

I was just about to start the same thread. I had dozens of "Single & Other Downloads" all show up at once.

Did you mean ELs or the "Single Downloads"?

Sure looks fishy, but here's hoping they're legit!!!!

UPDATE: Just looked at all those Single Downloads and many of them do appear to be similar subject matter, suggesting a single buyer. But why wouldn't someone just by a subscription? That's what makes this look like it can't be real. Who would do this?

Poncke · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2013, 12:24 »

SODs are special agreed licences. They might have had a different need for them outside the SL and EL.

stockmarketer · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2013, 12:30 »

The other thing I'm wondering is if there was a "clog" in the system that didn't flow these through to be reported as they happened, and we're seeing a big dump of them right now in our reports.

But I have had several SODs earlier in the week, so that theory might not hold water.

Could it be there's a single buyer out there buying tons of our images as SODs today? Or did some kid swipe his parent's credit card and we're going to see these downloads erased when Daddy gets home and calls to demand a refund?

If these stay, drinks on me!!!

Anyone else seeing these?

falstafff · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2013, 12:37 »

Same here. Must be some delayed sales?

stockmarketer · « **Reply #6 on:** April 25, 2013, 12:42 »

Quote from: falstafff on April 25, 2013, 12:37

Same here. Must be some delayed sales?

But are yours of similar subject matter, suggesting a single buyer? That would point to all of them being bought at once. My SODs today could be grouped by a few similar themes... mostly business concepts.

fotografer · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2013, 12:48 »

I've got 5 for 13,50$ each all the same subject matter.

stockmarketer · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2013, 12:56 »

Someone posted a thread on the SS forum, saying that someone posted a thread on this forum.

Will be interesting to see what the response is there...

fritz · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:00 »

Sorry, my fault it's SOD but still strange number of Dl

stockmarketer · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:01 »

Oh great.

Someone in the SS forum pointed out that we could look up on the Shutterstock map on the submit main page to see where the buyer is located.

I just checked... Looks like they've been downloaded from a single location in Africa.

Maybe it's that Nigerian prince who keeps wanting to send me $14,000,000!!!

click_click · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:10 »

What's the SS contributor support email again? I only got 2 SOD sales today and I don't think this is fair.

fritz · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:10 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on April 25, 2013, 13:01

Oh great.

Someone in the SS forum pointed out that we could look up on the Shutterstock map on the submit main page to see where the buyer is located.

I just checked... Looks like they've been downloaded from a single location in Africa.

Maybe it's that Nigerian prince who keeps wanting to send me $14,000,000!!!

Same location here so it's most likely a fraud

click_click · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:12 »

Let the clawback-session begin!!! Or maybe not.

Interesting to see what's going to happen...

stockmarketer · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:13 »

Quote from: alexmk on April 25, 2013, 13:10

Quote from: stockmarketer on April 25, 2013, 13:01
Oh great.

Someone in the SS forum pointed out that we could look up on the Shutterstock map on the submit main page to see where the buyer is located.

I just checked... Looks like they've been downloaded from a single location in Africa.

Maybe it's that Nigerian prince who keeps wanting to send me $14,000,000!!!
Same location here so it's most likely a fraud

Someone on SS forum pointed out that if the top left corner of the image is in the Ocean to the left of Africa, it simply means SS can't determine the buyer's location. Other images on the map have a little dot on the upper left corner of the thumbnail, as if targeting the location. But these SODs have no dot on the corner, which could suggest SS doesn't know the actual location of the buyer.

Still crossing all my fingers and toes that these are legit.

ruxpriencdiam · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:18 »

So far related to this post on SS.

http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=130038

http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=130039

click_click · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:19 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on April 25, 2013, 13:13

... Still crossing all my fingers and toes that these are legit.

What a sight...

fotografer · « **Reply #17 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:19 »

Quote from: fotografer on April 25, 2013, 12:48

I've got 5 for 13,50$ each all the same subject matter.

Just got another one for 16.50 this time

michaeldb · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:20 »

Quote from: alexmk on April 25, 2013, 13:10

Quote from: stockmarketer on April 25, 2013, 13:01
Oh great.

Someone in the SS forum pointed out that we could look up on the Shutterstock map on the submit main page to see where the buyer is located.

I just checked... Looks like they've been downloaded from a single location in Africa.

Maybe it's that Nigerian prince who keeps wanting to send me $14,000,000!!!
Same location here so it's most likely a fraud

"Someone on MSG worry its from Africa but if the left top corner of the image is in the ocean next to Africa it means the location could not be determined." semmickphoto on the SS thread
So far I have $247 in these SODS and the amount is rising fast (a few minutes ago it was $199.50). On the SS map, they are indeed "in the ocean" and do not have the little white dot in the upper left hand corner, so I think that the location is undetermined.
One bad thing about this were it to turn out to be fraud, it probably will not be settled til after the end of the month, meaning that it will mess up my keeping records of April revenues, as I will not know if any of the sales are possibly real. I hate it when that happens.

stockmarketer · « **Reply #19 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:20 »

Now there are a bunch showing up at $16.50 each.

Anyone seeing these?

michaeldb · « **Reply #20 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:22 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on April 25, 2013, 13:20

Now there are a bunch showing up at $16.50 each.

Anyone seeing these?

Mine are various: $13.50; $16.50; $24

falstafff · « **Reply #21 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:22 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on April 25, 2013, 12:42

Quote from: falstafff on April 25, 2013, 12:37
Same here. Must be some delayed sales?

But are yours of similar subject matter, suggesting a single buyer? That would point to all of them being bought at once. My SODs today could be grouped by a few similar themes... mostly business concepts.

No not the same buyer but there are some reporting the same thing over there. Could be something funny going on?

mayaartist · « **Reply #22 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:24 »

I've just got 4 SOD for 13.75 minutes ago.

Thank you SS!!!

click_click · « **Reply #23 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:27 »

OK good that SS support appears to be watching this thread and read my comment...

Just got another one as well

Keep em coming SS! Woooohooooo.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:27 »

2 for 13.5$ (each)

stockmarketer · « **Reply #25 on:** April 25, 2013, 13:28 »

Quote from: click_click on April 25, 2013, 13:27

OK good that SS support appears to be watching this thread and read my comment...

Did you hear from someone at SS? Did they suggest anything that they might not be legit?

Keep us posted.

click_click · « **Reply #26 on:** April 25, 2013, 14:12 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on April 25, 2013, 13:28

Quote from: click_click on April 25, 2013, 13:27
OK good that SS support appears to be watching this thread and read my comment...

Did you hear from someone at SS? Did they suggest anything that they might not be legit?

Keep us posted.

No I didn't hear from SS.

This meant to be a comic remark about me not getting as many sales as others...

Sorry for the confusion!

stockmarketer · « **Reply #27 on:** April 25, 2013, 14:19 »

Part of me wants to reach out to SS to ask about these...

But another more paranoid part of me doesn't want to raise my hand and say "Excuse me, I suspect there's a problem here" and watch them all get erased.

On another note...

Unless there's a lag in reporting, it looks like the SODs have stopped. Needless to say, a new BDE!!! (I'll probably remove these from my daily stats I keep, because this will likely end up beating my previous BDE by about 200%. Going to really throw my tracking and trend lines out of whack.)

Microstock Posts · « **Reply #28 on:** April 25, 2013, 14:31 »

1 at $13.75

asmai · « **Reply #29 on:** April 25, 2013, 14:32 »

I hope it's not a bug. Having a heart attack right now and will have another one if i have to return them.

farbled · « **Reply #30 on:** April 25, 2013, 14:36 »

I had 2 at $15.40. Here's hoping they're legit.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #31 on:** April 25, 2013, 14:36 »

weird to see some at 13.75$, I am in the last rank so gotta be a different client no?

Red Dove · « **Reply #32 on:** April 25, 2013, 14:39 »

Six so far and now I've seen this thread, I'm having doubts about pressing the confirm order details button on Amazon for those yellow golfing slacks I've been hankering after.

fritz · « **Reply #33 on:** April 25, 2013, 14:40 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on April 25, 2013, 13:20

Now there are a bunch showing up at $16.50 each.

Anyone seeing these?

Yes, another bunch of $16.50 each. I'm sure it's fraud because in the last 2 hours my account rise by $500. That's not normal!

mayaartist · « **Reply #34 on:** April 25, 2013, 14:54 »

I had today 4 X 13.75 (SOD) which is an amazing.

I'm not sure, but maybe because of this news :
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/shutterstock-expands-focus-northern-europe-125500320.html

Thank you SS for your amazing work!!!

P.S. : I'm just enjoying a good day with two "Old Peculier" beers and good music


Birdy - The A Team [Live]

Good evening for all!!!

Amanda_K · « **Reply #35 on:** April 25, 2013, 15:08 »

Hmm I had one today for $12.60 it would be awesome if all of these were the result of a marketing push of some sort.

scottbraut · « **Reply #36 on:** April 25, 2013, 17:22 »

Hi All,

These downloads are not fraud...they're legitimate licenses. While individual user reports might be describing a variety of customer purchases, we also had a single large-volume educational book publisher purchase a large number of licenses today. I will have to check, but these may have been executed in a way in which the geographic location was not shown, which would explain the download map.

High "single image" royalties are often the result of a prenegotiated agreement with volume buyers such as large publishers and advertising agencies. These volume buyers may require additional license or workflow features, such as the option for sensitive use, indemnification, multi-user accounts, prenegotiated pricing, and special billing and workflow features.

It's important to note that the licenses did **not** include an option for sensitive use.

Best,

Scott
VP of Content
Shutterstock

click_click · « **Reply #37 on:** April 25, 2013, 17:24 »

Awesome, thanks Scott!

fritz · « **Reply #38 on:** April 25, 2013, 17:36 »

If downloads are not fraud in that case today it's gonna be the BDE and BME.
Tks SS

stockmarketer · « **Reply #39 on:** April 25, 2013, 17:37 »

Wow. That's fantastic. One of the best possible answers we could have hoped to hear.

Thanks, Scott!

gostwyck · « **Reply #40 on:** April 25, 2013, 18:03 »

Thanks very much for responding Scott. You are most definitely a gentleman and a scholar Sir!

luissantos84 · « **Reply #41 on:** April 25, 2013, 18:07 »

watch this space people, we are talking about SS, remember their name

pancaketom · « **Reply #42 on:** April 25, 2013, 18:33 »

NICE. not a BDE, but a nice boost. thanks SS.

michaeldb · « **Reply #43 on:** April 25, 2013, 18:47 »

Quote from: pancaketom on April 25, 2013, 18:33

NICE. not a BDE, but a nice boost. thanks SS.

BDE at SS for me, by about $300. I guess the "educational book publisher" must have been one of my 13 "followers"?

Seriously, as far as I'm concerned, this goes a long way to make up for a lot of the down things happening in microstock lately. Thanks for posting, Scott. Great day for SS!

Amanda_K · « **Reply #44 on:** April 25, 2013, 19:23 »

Gotta love the actual communication! Thanks Scott, it's such a nice change to see things like this

JPSDK · « **Reply #45 on:** April 25, 2013, 19:28 »

GREAT!
and a great reply from shutterstock, its so nice with fast and precise answers.
Shame I didnt get any of these Dls.

VB inc · « **Reply #46 on:** April 25, 2013, 19:46 »

I got my first enhanced download today for $28. I wonder if its part of what was going on today. I am sort of unfamiliar w SS license's. does it mean they can resell my art or just print it out as part of a graphic on a book or something like that.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #47 on:** April 25, 2013, 20:00 »

Quote from: VB inc on April 25, 2013, 19:46

I got my first enhanced download today for $28. I wonder if its part of what was going on today. I am sort of unfamiliar w SS license's. does it mean they can resell my art or just print it out as part of a graphic on a book or something like that.

http://www.shutterstock.com/newsletter/33/Standard_vs_Enhanced_License-1.html

JPSDK · « **Reply #48 on:** April 25, 2013, 20:02 »

WRONG! It just updated, so I got some dls as well.

VB inc · « **Reply #49 on:** April 25, 2013, 20:23 »

thanks luis!

It seems kind of small sum of $28 to the contributor to let the buyer to resell your graphic/photo... Is there a way for you to opt out of this?

"You are allowed to use an image as a single, hand-painted reproduction (as opposed to printed), but you would not be allowed to resell it under the terms of the Standard License. However, with the Enhanced License, you are permitted to resell such reproductions. Again, the difference is Personal Usage (Standard) versus Commercial (Enhanced).

If you wish to incorporate an image in merchandise for resale or distribution, including without limitation, clothing, artwork, magnets, posters, mugs and mouse-pads, you will absolutely need an Enhanced License."

luissantos84 · « **Reply #50 on:** April 25, 2013, 20:29 »

Quote from: VB inc on April 25, 2013, 20:23

thanks luis!

It seems kind of small sum of $28 to the contributor to let the buyer to resell your graphic/photo... Is there a way for you to opt out of this?

"You are allowed to use an image as a single, hand-painted reproduction (as opposed to printed), but you would not be allowed to resell it under the terms of the Standard License. However, with the Enhanced License, you are permitted to resell such reproductions. Again, the difference is Personal Usage (Standard) versus Commercial (Enhanced).

If you wish to incorporate an image in merchandise for resale or distribution, including without limitation, clothing, artwork, magnets, posters, mugs and mouse-pads, you will absolutely need an Enhanced License."

https://submit.shutterstock.com/admin.mhtml?

ruxpriencdiam · « **Reply #51 on:** April 25, 2013, 23:14 »

Quote from: luissantos84 on April 25, 2013, 20:00

Quote from: VB inc on April 25, 2013, 19:46
I got my first enhanced download today for $28. I wonder if its part of what was going on today. I am sort of unfamiliar w SS license's. does it mean they can resell my art or just print it out as part of a graphic on a book or something like that.

http://www.shutterstock.com/newsletter/33/Standard_vs_Enhanced_License-1.html

That is from 2008!

http://submit.shutterstock.com/subscriber_license_index.mhtml

PART II
RESTRICTIONS
YOU MAY NOT:

7.
Use or display any Image on websites or in connection with any service designed to sell or induce sales of "print on demand" products using or incorporating Image(s), including, by way of example only, postcards, mugs, t-shirts, posters, giclee prints, wallpaper, artwork and other items, this includes custom designed websites as well as sites such as Cafe Press (i.e. www.cafepress.com).

luissantos84 · « **Reply #52 on:** April 25, 2013, 23:21 »

they need to update it

leaf · « **Reply #53 on:** April 26, 2013, 01:20 »

Thanks for the comment Scott. It's really nice when you pop in here and set things straight like this.

flashon · « **Reply #54 on:** April 26, 2013, 01:26 »

I got bunch of these as well. One of my best days there. I am a happy camper.

Microstock Posts · « **Reply #55 on:** April 26, 2013, 04:39 »

Quote from: leaf on April 26, 2013, 01:20

Thanks for the comment Scott. It's really nice when you pop in here and set things straight like this.

Yeah thanks Scott. We only got to 3 pages of speculative discussion. IS threads generally make for a far better read as there are pages of interesting speculation, but when the thread finishes no one really knows anything.

rubyroo · « **Reply #56 on:** April 26, 2013, 04:46 »

fotografer · « **Reply #57 on:** April 26, 2013, 05:01 »

BDE for me by a long way. Got a couple of ELs as well and more than usual normal dls.

rubyroo · « **Reply #58 on:** April 26, 2013, 05:11 »

Congrats to everyone that got caught in the 'sweep' there. Isn't it lovely to hear that it's all legitimate?!

Thanks Scott for letting us know so quickly. We've become so accustomed to bad news that many of us will have been dreading getting any good SOD sales today. Thanks for putting minds at rest.

Phil · « **Reply #59 on:** April 26, 2013, 05:23 »

3 x $13.5 and 1 x $16.5 for me

(on top of 9 x el's and a $80.40 its a very nice month

(I usually avg 2-3 els)

Mantis · « **Reply #60 on:** April 26, 2013, 06:50 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on April 25, 2013, 13:20

Now there are a bunch showing up at $16.50 each.

Anyone seeing these?

Yes. I got four at 16.50 and four at 13.50, eight in total. All the same theme except one.

Paulfleet · « **Reply #61 on:** April 26, 2013, 06:56 »

5@ $13.50 + 1@ $16.50 $:-\$

Ariene · « **Reply #62 on:** April 26, 2013, 10:26 »

They don't like my photos... I sold only one (garbage in water) for 11,25$ yesterday... It looks poorly with your sales

What theme are you selling mostly with SOD? I wonder if it is the same with everyone, or what?

JPSDK · « **Reply #63 on:** April 26, 2013, 11:23 »

Butterflies

Paulfleet · « **Reply #64 on:** April 26, 2013, 12:08 »

Magic bookcase, Bear Trap, Us Top Hat, Stem Cells and two moral compasses.

fritz · « **Reply #65 on:** April 26, 2013, 12:36 »

Documents, pills, magnifying glass, monitor, tag, wooden stamp.........

WebSubstance · « **Reply #66 on:** April 26, 2013, 13:03 »

I got 4 sales at 13.50 from different kind of subjects.
It seems that it affected most of the contributors. I know it's not the case but it reminds me of the istock deal with Google. It would have been the same kind of bump in sales for everyone in one week. Don't you think?
I'm absolutely positive and 100% sure Shutterstock wouldn't do such a deal though.

lisafx · « **Reply #68 on:** April 26, 2013, 15:23 »

Well, I'm a day late (but not a dollar short!

) to the party. Thanks very much for coming in and explaining, Scott. So I guess I can celebrate my BDE windfall without any misgivings. Yay!!

borg · « **Reply #69 on:** April 26, 2013, 17:22 »

97,50$, 16,60$, 13,50$
Just three!

Louis please, some words of comfort!

stockastic · « **Reply #70 on:** April 26, 2013, 18:02 »

Amazingly, I - the smallest of fish - also scored a couple of these sales. Photos of a micrometer, and a bicycle brake. Some sort of encyclopedia?

Or maybe some spider or 'bot went off the rails and started actually buying things.

lisafx · « **Reply #71 on:** April 26, 2013, 20:29 »

Sounds to me like this textbook publisher was looking for a wide variety of content. People reporting a number of different subjects. Most of my sales were medical related.

JPSDK · « **Reply #72 on:** April 26, 2013, 21:38 »

Scott
Tell the sales guys at shutterstock to get more of that kind of customers.

Its beginning to look like something..

jcpjr · « **Reply #73 on:** April 26, 2013, 21:59 »

Quote from: lisafx on April 26, 2013, 20:29

Sounds to me like this textbook publisher was looking for a wide variety of content. People reporting a number of different subjects. Most of my sales were medical related.

5 out 6 of mine were medically related as well.

VB inc · « **Reply #74 on:** April 26, 2013, 23:46 »

So im curious if any vectors were sold this day? mine for $28 was for an enhanced download which doesnt seem like to be associated with this particular buyer...

andresr · « **Reply #75 on:** April 27, 2013, 00:26 »

Awesome work Shutterstock! I got 83 of those! BDE!!

roboz · « **Reply #76 on:** April 27, 2013, 00:47 »

Sadly I missed out on the big sale... might not have the right portfolio... still my BME though!

But congrats to all the lucky ones. Enjoy your payday!

lisafx · « **Reply #77 on:** April 27, 2013, 11:31 »

Quote from: andresr on April 27, 2013, 00:26

Awesome work Shutterstock! I got 83 of those! BDE!!

Wow. A BDE for you is really saying something! Congrats!

luissantos84 · « **Reply #78 on:** April 28, 2013, 09:17 »

Quote from: borg on April 26, 2013, 17:22

97,50$, 16,60$, 13,50$
Just three!

Louis please, some words of comfort!

ahahah only got 56$ in SODs this month, so be happy!!!

OM · « **Reply #79 on:** April 28, 2013, 09:35 »

Missed out on the SODs Bonanza

but review times seem to have normalised again for me at 6-7 days.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #80 on:** April 28, 2013, 11:09 »

Quote from: OM on April 28, 2013, 09:35

Missed out on the SODs Bonanza but review times seem to have normalised again for me at 6-7 days.

but the normal (like 2 years ago) was 24 hours, I remember a lot less too

scottbraut · « **Reply #81 on:** April 28, 2013, 12:53 »

Thanks all,

Regarding review times, we saw high submission volume this past month - the team has been actively working on this and turnaround times should continue to improve.

Best,

Scott