Author Topic: They disabled my account with(out) any notice (Read 30838 times)

mark · « **on:** March 05, 2009, 04:52 »

Since feb. 21 my account suddenly was disabled. Just like that. No notice. No warnings or anything.

My uploading has been disabled. My gallery is empty. Banned from forum. No reaction from helpdesk.

I am waiting for three days now for an answer. I searched several sites and forums for information about what I can do. But it seems that photographers have not many rights or voice at Shutterstock.

Does anyone have a clue or have the same experience about what's happening at Shutterstock? Please let me know.

Thank you!
Mark

e-person · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2009, 04:57 »

Copyright infringment?

mark · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:09 »

Quote from: e-person on March 05, 2009, 04:57

Copyright infringment?

All photo's were made by myself or were constructed by myself in Illustrator. If it's a copyright issue, why don't they notify me first about anything?

They just shut me off! What can I do?

leaf · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:11 »

perhaps they sent an email without you getting it?

Have you tried calling them on the phone?

mark · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:13 »

Quote from: leaf on March 05, 2009, 05:11

perhaps they sent an email without you getting it?

Have you tried calling them on the phone?

Did not receive any email and can't find a phone number at their site. Just email addresses they don't reply on.

Does anyone have a phone number?

Mellimage · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:22 »

Sales and Support:
1-866-663-3954
(646) 419 4452 (US)
[email protected]

mark · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:26 »

Thank you Mellimage.

mark · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2009, 06:57 »

Does anyone have the same experience?
How did you get back online again?

bittersweet · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:15 »

Quote from: mark on March 05, 2009, 06:57

Does anyone have the same experience?
How did you get back online again?

I'm sure that would depend on why you were kicked off. It's hard to say whether someone had the "same experience" when you've given us very little information about what action was taken, other than that your account was disabled. Perhaps after you speak with SS and they explain why, you can come back and give more details.

It seems strange to me that you have waited since Feb 21 with no understanding of what happened, yet have not attempted to contact them other than through email. I would have been on the phone within 5 minutes of making the discovery, regardless of long distance charges.

helix7 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2009, 08:30 »

If there is a claim of copyright infringement made by another user, even if it's just one image, the SS policy is to immediately suspend your account. You will need to contact them to find out if that was the reason or if it was something else, but your story does sound like other copyright-related suspensions that I've heard about in the past.

mark · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2009, 09:25 »

Quote from: whatalife on March 05, 2009, 07:15

I'm sure that would depend on why you were kicked off. It's hard to say whether someone had the "same experience" when you've given us very little information about what action was taken, other than that your account was disabled.

I also wish I had more information, otherwise I wouldnt be here.

Quote from: whatalife on March 05, 2009, 07:15

Perhaps after you speak with SS and they explain why, you can come back and give more details.

I will.

Quote from: whatalife on March 05, 2009, 07:15

It seems strange to me that you have waited since Feb 21 with no understanding of what happened, yet have not attempted to contact them other than through email. I would have been on the phone within 5 minutes of making the discovery, regardless of long distance charges.

I only discovered it 3 days ago (lucky me I don't have to live from that income). For whatever reason they don't put their phone number online...

Quote from: helix7 on March 05, 2009, 08:30

If there is a claim of copyright infringement made by another user, even if it's just one image, the SS policy is to immediately suspend your account.

Thank you. Is this the way to make clear that there's a problem with a photo. Just to shut off an account.? SS policy really s*cks then.

What kind of respect is that.

MatHayward · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2009, 11:35 »

They did the exact same thing to me when they learned I am a moderator on the forum at Fotolia. No warning, no email, no phone call, nothing. It took me about 5 months to get my $12 payment from them. The owner refused to take my calls, would not respond to my emails, nothing. Their response was about worthless.

They were nothing if not diligent in their communication when asking me to fax my tax information to them though. Must've received 15 emails, a couple of phone calls, all sorts of communication when they needed something from me. I informed them that their threat to close my account if I didn't hurry and get their paperwork to them was a disincentive for me to hurry it along. I did of course send them their stuff but was very unimpressed with their communication.

Mat

cidepix · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2009, 12:09 »

Quote from: MatHayward on March 05, 2009, 11:35

They did the exact same thing to me when they learned I am a moderator on the forum at Fotolia. No warning, no email, no phone call, nothing. It took me about 5 months to get my $12 payment from them. The owner refused to take my calls, would not respond to my emails, nothing. Their response was about worthless.

They were nothing if not diligent in their communication when asking me to fax my tax information to them though. Must've received 15 emails, a couple of phone calls, all sorts of communication when they needed something from me. I informed them that their threat to close my account if I didn't hurry and get their paperwork to them was a disincentive for me to hurry it along. I did of course send them their stuff but was very unimpressed with their communication.

Mat

Mat

So, it is ok to speak bad of shutterstock.. You seem very contributor friendly when it comes to other sites..

I think it is totally reasonable what they did in your case as you were moderating fotolia forum.. That is kind of understandable.. I am not a moderator on any site, yet still banned from fotolia forum for telling my opinion..
Edit: That may be too far. Sorry, I couldn't resist a little joke

That is not good for any business model.. I am a supplier and should be taken as seriously as customers.. Not more, only as much..

I didn't want anything special from fotolia.. I just wanted things to stay the way they were.. Apparently that is a sin, I am a bad apple, and fotolia is my lord..

null · « **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2009, 12:21 »

Quote from: cidepix on March 05, 2009, 12:09

I think it is totally reasonable what they did in your case as you were moderating fotolia forum.. That is kind of understandable.. I am not a moderator on any site, yet still banned from fotolia forum for telling my opinion..

I beg to differ. Being banned from a forum is much less serious than a portfolio being banned from sales. A forum is just trivial, since nobody gets paid to post.

A site forum is private and it is part of the site's interface to the market. A ranting post can damage the site easily, as it is picked up by Google. In French they say "Dans la maison du pendu on ne parle pas de la corde" (Never mention rope in the house of a man who has been hanged). That's why I never bother to post at site forums. For rants, we have the Microstockgroup.

Lcjtripod · « **Reply #14 on:** March 05, 2009, 12:37 »

Another reason why I will not send in 10 images to them and beg to be accepted there. They are not the only fish in the ocean.

Hint: Do not bite the hand that feeds you.

Not funny but I just had to say it.

-Larry

cidepix · « **Reply #15 on:** March 05, 2009, 12:46 »

Quote from: FlemishDreams on March 05, 2009, 12:21

Quote from: cidepix on March 05, 2009, 12:09
I think it is totally reasonable what they did in your case as you were moderating fotolia forum.. That is kind of understandable.. I am not a moderator on any site, yet still banned from fotolia forum for telling my opinion..

I beg to differ. Being banned from a forum is much less serious than a portfolio being banned from sales. A forum is just trivial, since nobody gets paid to post.

A site forum is private and it is part of the site's interface to the market. A ranting post can damage the site easily, as it is picked up by Google. In French they say "Dans la maison du pendu on ne parle pas de la corde" (Never mention rope in the house of a man who has been hanged). That's why I never bother to post at site forums. For rants, we have the Microstockgroup.

Sorry, you are right. I am a little angry at what they did but kind of understand. That is not Mat's fault either. It is their policy which is wrong.

null · « **Reply #16 on:** March 05, 2009, 13:09 »

Quote from: cidepix on March 05, 2009, 12:46

I am a little angry at what they did but kind of understand. That is not Mat's fault either. It is their policy which is wrong.

I didn't say you were wrong. Actually you were right, but the Fotolia site forum is probably not the best place to complain about it. Hundred or more years of trade union activism has teached us that an individual robot is powerless against the moguls, and when he sticks his neck out, he gets beheaded.

Karimala · « **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2009, 13:35 »

Quote from: FlemishDreams on March 05, 2009, 13:09

Hundred or more years of trade union activism has teached us that an individual robot is powerless against the moguls, and when he sticks his neck out, he gets beheaded.

Great analogy! I'll have to remember that.