Shutterstock continues its takeover of the Empire State Building while cutting our EL earnings:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shutterstock-expands-headquarters-at-empire-state-building-lifts-total-above-105000-square-feet-300219654.html

I used to defend them....no more. Not after their nasty move of cutting our EL royalties. Next in the news, I'm sure, will be that they are posting record growth and record profits.

TNX Shelma for sharing. 

My opinion:
I do not care where SS is moving, but I know that my SS buyers are moving to Fotolia and 123, for sure.

I'm bored of complaining, until we all get together and run our own site or buy a majority share in one of the sites, what can we do about it?  Or we could all just use the few sites that pay 50% but that never happens.  This is all our own fault, I'm sure we could be much better off but the vast majority of contributors still don't care.

Quote from: enstoker on February 13, 2016, 11:10
TNX Shelma for sharing. 

My opinion:
I do not care where SS is moving, but I know that my SS buyers are moving to Fotolia and 123, for sure.

Like!

Kapitalism rules!

Quote from: enstoker on February 13, 2016, 11:10
TNX Shelma for sharing. 

My opinion:
I do not care where SS is moving, but I know that my SS buyers are moving to Fotolia and 123, for sure.

LOL.. True

I wonder how they justify this to share holders? I mean one floor they can say is needed to make the company appear high status and attract sales, but I am sure they could accommodate the rest of the staff of this web based business up the road for a tenth of the price.

Quote from: sharpshot on February 13, 2016, 12:04
I'm bored of complaining, until we all get together and run our own site or buy a majority share in one of the sites, what can we do about it?  Or we could all just use the few sites that pay 50% but that never happens.  This is all our own fault, I'm sure we could be much better off but the vast majority of contributors still don't care.

My exact same thoughts.

Quote from: sharpshot on February 13, 2016, 12:04
I'm bored of complaining, until we all get together and run our own site or buy a majority share in one of the sites, what can we do about it?  Or we could all just use the few sites that pay 50% but that never happens.  This is all our own fault, I'm sure we could be much better off but the vast majority of contributors still don't care.

Complaining is good. Squeeky wheel gets the grease. 

Quote from: Tryingmybest on February 13, 2016, 14:46

Quote from: sharpshot on February 13, 2016, 12:04
I'm bored of complaining, until we all get together and run our own site or buy a majority share in one of the sites, what can we do about it?  Or we could all just use the few sites that pay 50% but that never happens.  This is all our own fault, I'm sure we could be much better off but the vast majority of contributors still don't care.

Complaining is good. Squeeky wheel gets the grease. 

Not always. If you're too squeaky you get the Vaseline.

The thing is, this "plan"started awhile back.

1. SS went public
2. Scott left SS
3. SS said they would keep being a part of this forum
4. SS stopped being a part of this forum
5. SS moved to the Empire State Building
6. SS cut commissions
7. SS got more posh real estate

The roadmap of what their intentions are is VERY VERY CLEAR.

Probably making room for a tofu cafe or bowling alley.

Expanding occupancy without signs of exponential growth gives me the shivers - sometimes means you've got too much stuff or you've hired more people than you need.

Quote from: Red Dove on February 13, 2016, 17:06
Probably making room for a tofu cafe or bowling alley.

Expanding occupancy without signs of exponential growth gives me the shivers - sometimes means you've got too much stuff or you've hired more people than you need.

Or ... you are making too much money off your contributors and you need to invest in capital improvements in order to reduce your tax liability. 

Quote from: Mantis on February 13, 2016, 16:44
The thing is, this "plan"started awhile back.

1. SS went public
2. Scott left SS
3. SS said they would keep being a part of this forum
4. SS stopped being a part of this forum
5. SS moved to the Empire State Building
6. SS cut commissions
7. SS got more posh real estate

The roadmap of what their intentions are is VERY VERY CLEAR.

Everything changes when a company goes public.  Everything.  And usually, not for the better. 

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on February 13, 2016, 15:42

Quote from: Tryingmybest on February 13, 2016, 14:46

Quote from: sharpshot on February 13, 2016, 12:04
I'm bored of complaining, until we all get together and run our own site or buy a majority share in one of the sites, what can we do about it?  Or we could all just use the few sites that pay 50% but that never happens.  This is all our own fault, I'm sure we could be much better off but the vast majority of contributors still don't care.

Complaining is good. Squeeky wheel gets the grease. 

Not always. If you're too squeaky you get the Vaseline.

LMAO... well said..!!! and any finger will do 

Quote from: sharpshot on February 13, 2016, 12:04
I'm bored of complaining, until we all get together and run our own site or buy a majority share in one of the sites, what can we do about it?  Or we could all just use the few sites that pay 50% but that never happens.  This is all our own fault, I'm sure we could be much better off but the vast majority of contributors still don't care.

CORRECT...The "VAST" majority. and I would be safe to say the "VAST" majority don't even know about the new License or care. Thats the sad part. Just us 50/100/200 that think were gonna change something. I don't think so guys. Opt out of everything. they don't care.

Quote from: Mantis on February 13, 2016, 16:44
The thing is, this "plan"started awhile back.

1. SS went public
2. Scott left SS
3. SS said they would keep being a part of this forum
4. SS stopped being a part of this forum
5. SS moved to the Empire State Building
6. SS cut commissions
7. SS got more posh real estate

The roadmap of what their intentions are is VERY VERY CLEAR.

DUH!!!

Quote from: Rinderart on February 14, 2016, 01:30

Quote from: Mantis on February 13, 2016, 16:44
The thing is, this "plan"started awhile back.

1. SS went public
2. Scott left SS
3. SS said they would keep being a part of this forum
4. SS stopped being a part of this forum
5. SS moved to the Empire State Building
6. SS cut commissions
7. SS got more posh real estate

The roadmap of what their intentions are is VERY VERY CLEAR.

DUH!!!

That was a dumb s h I t reply that added no * value to this discussion

people need to understand that cost of revenue is different from cost of sales.

Quote from: Red Dove on February 13, 2016, 17:06
Probably making room for a tofu cafe or bowling alley.

Expanding occupancy without signs of exponential growth gives me the shivers - sometimes means you've got too much stuff or you've hired more people than you need.

Ive always wondered why these companies keep expanding and hiring people. Maybe, I'm missing something here, but I don't think you need more than 100 people (with the exception of reviewers) in any image collection agency.

I really don't know what they hell they are doing.

Their stock is trading at like a 3 year low, they have an earnings release coming out in 10 days, and their last guidance was way below expectations.

They are trading at a P/E of 50, which means their actual stock price should be around $3-$5 based solely on earnings, which means that all of their current market cap is based on future expectations. Why would they invest in more infrastructure right after Adobe, a company that dwarfs their market cap, forays into the business as a direct competitor?

It makes absolutely no sense unless it's a deliberate act to, in some strange manner, assure investors that despite having a god-awful earnings, they are investing in infrastructure, indicating they still have faith in their business model.

But based on the way the DNC is behaving, who knows - everyone in prominent positions seems pretty nuts nowadays.

Quote from: Robin@Symbiostock on February 14, 2016, 02:04
I really don't know what they hell they are doing.

<snip random confused talk>

everyone in prominent positions seems pretty nuts nowadays.

Very true.

Quote from: Rinderart on February 14, 2016, 01:28

Quote from: sharpshot on February 13, 2016, 12:04
I'm bored of complaining, until we all get together and run our own site or buy a majority share in one of the sites, what can we do about it?  Or we could all just use the few sites that pay 50% but that never happens.  This is all our own fault, I'm sure we could be much better off but the vast majority of contributors still don't care.

CORRECT...The "VAST" majority. and I would be safe to say the "VAST" majority don't even know about the new License or care. Thats the sad part. Just us 50/100/200 that think were gonna change something. I don't think so guys. Opt out of everything. they don't care.

+1

I have told this many times, but here some people think that they are the center of the world and that everything they say or think is holy word.........

Quote from: Chichikov on February 14, 2016, 07:07

Quote from: Rinderart on February 14, 2016, 01:28

Quote from: sharpshot on February 13, 2016, 12:04
I'm bored of complaining, until we all get together and run our own site or buy a majority share in one of the sites, what can we do about it?  Or we could all just use the few sites that pay 50% but that never happens.  This is all our own fault, I'm sure we could be much better off but the vast majority of contributors still don't care.

CORRECT...The "VAST" majority. and I would be safe to say the "VAST" majority don't even know about the new License or care. Thats the sad part. Just us 50/100/200 that think were gonna change something. I don't think so guys. Opt out of everything. they don't care.

+1

I have told this many times, but here some people think that they are the center of the world and that everything they say or think is holy word.........

Ok and whats your solution now?

Every good thing starts with an idea. So talking about an alternative marketing channel is a good thing. Because it is the first step on a long way. But it is the firs step!

Why are you and Rinder so demotivating?

Quote from: Rinderart on February 14, 2016, 01:28

Quote from: sharpshot on February 13, 2016, 12:04
I'm bored of complaining, until we all get together and run our own site or buy a majority share in one of the sites, what can we do about it?  Or we could all just use the few sites that pay 50% but that never happens.  This is all our own fault, I'm sure we could be much better off but the vast majority of contributors still don't care.

CORRECT...The "VAST" majority. and I would be safe to say the "VAST" majority don't even know about the new License or care. Thats the sad part. Just us 50/100/200 that think were gonna change something. I don't think so guys. Opt out of everything. they don't care.

What the vast majority do is of no interest to the agencies or anyone else. The people creating the vast majority of saleable images on the other hand are a small number, a few hundred, people and they are well aware of everything going on. They have to be to have built sustainable businesses in this highly competitive market. Their opting out makes a big difference as demonstrated numerous times.