Author Topic: Is StockXpert going down? (Read 20485 times)

willie · « **Reply #25 on:** June 16, 2009, 12:14 »

Quote from: lisafx on June 16, 2009, 10:37

Quote from: dbvirago on June 15, 2009, 14:55
Quote from: melastmohican on June 15, 2009, 12:57
"As you may already know, iStockphoto is the industry leader in microstock. If you are not yet a contributor to iStockphoto, we would encourage you to apply, and start building your iStockphoto collection. It is a great opportunity for you to increase your earnings and visibility, while engaging in one of the world.s largest and most dynamic creative communities. iStockphoto provides a wealth of information and ideas for you to grow from."

Any sentence beginning with 'As you may already know' is almost always BS.

So true. Much like any sentence containing the phrase "Trust me (us)".

ahem, furthermore, SS is the the "industry leader" not IS .

puravida · « **Reply #26 on:** June 16, 2009, 12:18 »

Quote from: Perseus on June 16, 2009, 12:14

Quote from: lisafx on June 16, 2009, 10:37
Quote from: dbvirago on June 15, 2009, 14:55
Any sentence beginning with 'As you may already know' is almost always BS.

So true. Much like any sentence containing the phrase "Trust me (us)".

ahem, furthermore, SS is the the "industry leader" not IS .

No, to IS they are THE industry leader. & to the exclusives IS is THE ONLY

Milinz · « **Reply #27 on:** June 16, 2009, 14:12 »

Quote from: puravida on June 16, 2009, 12:18

Quote from: Perseus on June 16, 2009, 12:14
Quote from: lisafx on June 16, 2009, 10:37
Quote from: dbvirago on June 15, 2009, 14:55
Any sentence beginning with 'As you may already know' is almost always BS.

So true. Much like any sentence containing the phrase "Trust me (us)".

ahem, furthermore, SS is the the "industry leader" not IS .

No, to IS they are THE industry leader. & to the exclusives IS is THE ONLY

LOL!

You don't even know what is the industry...

And, iStock is just one big typical bad driven company with bad policy... They won't last long - that is for sure!

Last hope to keep their exclusives is to kill StockXpert... Only that way their exclusives can make some money to cover some loss they are having with not being non-exclusive... Also, that will fill pockets of owners and buyers will pay more for same image quality and 'garbage' ;-)

I feel competition is rising here - they kill StockXpert - 3 new will rise!

It is lost war from start - it is simple: there can't be only one!

stockastic · « **Reply #28 on:** June 16, 2009, 14:31 »

Getty will just continue to jerk these companies around, changing the 'terms' of all the agreements, cutting contributor prices, and launching new marketing schemes every month, in pursuit of imposible profit figures.

That's what big companies do when they go on acquisition binges. Eventually, they wake up with a big hangover and lose interest. Then the market can reorganize and new alternatives can emerge.

Microstock is going to get worse before it gets better.

Milinz · « **Reply #29 on:** June 16, 2009, 14:55 »

Quote from: stockastic on June 16, 2009, 14:31

Getty will just continue to jerk these companies around, changing the 'terms' of all the agreements, cutting contributor prices, and launching new marketing schemes every month, in pursuit of imposible profit figures.

That's what big companies do when they go on acquisition binges. Eventually, they wake up with a big hangover and lose interest. Then the market can reorganize and new alternatives can emerge.

Microstock is going to get worse before it gets better.

Well... It is not Highlander anyhow ;-)

stockastic · « **Reply #30 on:** June 16, 2009, 16:11 »

What's "Highlander"?

lisafx · « **Reply #31 on:** June 16, 2009, 16:32 »

Quote from: stockastic on June 16, 2009, 16:11

What's "Highlander"?

I assume he's referring to this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highlander_(film)]
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highlander_(film)[/url]

Milinz · « **Reply #32 on:** June 16, 2009, 16:41 »

Quote from: lisafx on June 16, 2009, 16:32

Quote from: stockastic on June 16, 2009, 16:11
What's "Highlander"?

I assume he's referring to this:

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highlander_(film)]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highlander_(film)]
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highlander_(film)[/url]

;-)

Yup!

Here is working link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highlander_(film)

stockastic · « **Reply #33 on:** June 16, 2009, 16:47 »

Never saw the movie but I remember a really boring TV show where guys stood around in long dark coats for half an hour and then fought with swords while lighting flashed.

And the connection with Getty....?

Milinz · « **Reply #34 on:** June 16, 2009, 16:52 »

Quote from: stockastic on June 16, 2009, 16:47

Never saw the movie but I remember a really boring TV show where guys stood around in long dark coats for half an hour and then fought with swords while lighting flashed.

And the connection with Getty....?

Sentence about that there must be only one...

LOL!

Do you understand this:
http://www.fotolia.com/id/14820876

That is just one of my illustrations what Getty or 'getty owed' sites will not have ;-)
I hope others will do similar!

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #35 on:** June 16, 2009, 17:16 »

I'm really confused by all that is going on there. Please don't confuse me even further.

I'm torn between uploading and waiting. I'm new there and don't know which of the "admin" posts are to be trusted. Does anyone think that Getty will allow StockXpert to compete with the iStock group? Do you think we are in danger of losing any images in the StockXpert database? What do you plan to do with your images currently in the StockXpert database?

Are there any REALLY knowledgeable answers?

lathspell · « **Reply #36 on:** June 16, 2009, 17:21 »

Quote from: FlemishDreams on June 16, 2009, 08:26

Looking at my earnings, ShutterStock is the leader. What did I miss?

You missed i.e. my earnings numbers. From my point even StockXpert was outnumbering SS in the end, not to mention a few local agencies with a reliable monthly income of at least twice what SS makes me ...

Milinz · « **Reply #37 on:** June 16, 2009, 17:25 »

Quote from: WarrenPrice on June 16, 2009, 17:16

I'm really confused by all that is going on there. Please don't confuse me even further.

I'm torn between uploading and waiting. I'm new there and don't know which of the "admin" posts are to be trusted. Does anyone think that Getty will allow StockXpert to compete with the iStock group? Do you think we are in danger of losing any images in the StockXpert database? What do you plan to do with your images currently in the StockXpert database?

Are there any REALLY knowledgeable answers?

Logical answer:

Getty is cutting all StockXpert subs sales from JUI/Photos.com where they was 30 cents/dl as well no more sales through photos.com where single sales was pretty well paid.
They also advised that we all should apply to istock as istock is 'the best blabla'...

My files counting now 850 images and somewhere about 50 footage on stockxpert will stay there until further notice (or should I say they will make me some money)...

All my new images will go everywhere else except to Getty or Getty owed sites if and until they transfer all my images accepted from StockXpert to istock.

On the other way, I will no longer support Getty and I will play for all other colored teams except for them!

melastmohican · « **Reply #38 on:** June 16, 2009, 17:25 »

Quote from: WarrenPrice on June 16, 2009, 17:16

I'm really confused by all that is going on there. Please don't confuse me even further.

I'm torn between uploading and waiting. I'm new there and don't know which of the "admin" posts are to be trusted. Does anyone think that Getty will allow StockXpert to compete with the iStock group? Do you think we are in danger of losing any images in the StockXpert database? What do you plan to do with your images currently in the StockXpert database?

Are there any REALLY knowledgeable answers?

I do not really know what Getty plans but I might think of 3 posibilities
1. Shut down StockXpert
2. Merge it into IS
3. Try to reposition it so there is no direct competition between IS and StockXpert

No. I do not think you will loose images or unpaid royalties. Only thin you lost already was time if they are gone.

Since Getty acquisition number of rejections was constantly growing so actually I am happy to sto uploading and wait to see what happen.

penywise · « **Reply #39 on:** June 16, 2009, 18:45 »

Sigh, well this is just frustrating. I personally don't have an account at IS yet... In fact, they just turned me down again today for "These images are very similar in subject matter or style" (I'm still wrapping my head around how a hospital gurney in a garbage bin looks anything similar to framing a photo with corner samples or a drawer of keys in an apothecary chest, but that's just me). But I've always loved StockXpert, but now I'm wondering seriously about the future.

stockastic · « **Reply #40 on:** June 16, 2009, 19:01 »

So Getty is saying that we should now submit all our images to IStock at a rate of 15 per week, IS will approve 60% of them (the rest have "artifacts"), reject half of your best sellers, and pay 25 cents instead of 30. Hey, that's what I call a "leader".

stockastic · « **Reply #41 on:** June 16, 2009, 19:47 »

I'd say that Getty will simply shut down StockXpert and any others they buy that compete with IS. But they won't do it in a day, because they don't want to lose customers. The whole idea is to take down these sites in stages while herding all their existing customers over to IS.

Elenathewise · « **Reply #42 on:** June 16, 2009, 22:28 »

Quote from: stockastic on June 16, 2009, 19:47

I'd say that Getty will simply shut down StockXpert and any others they buy that compete with IS. But they won't do it in a day, because they don't want to lose customers. The whole idea is to take down these sites in stages while herding all their existing customers over to IS.

I totally agree. They will NOT fold StockXpert into Istock - they encourage contributors to "start building portfolios" on Istock. If they were adding StockXpert to their collection that would not be necessary. They will eventually just close it down, since there is no point in marketing 2 different micro-sites with similar collections, it's confusing for customers. And yes, they don't want to do it abruptly since they want all StockXpert customers to switch over to Istock. Would be silly to let them go to Fotolia instead. However, they made opting in for Jupiter subs ridiculously difficult - you literally have to add each single file, there is no "select all" option. Well, maybe there is one for exclusives:)

null · « **Reply #43 on:** June 16, 2009, 23:15 »

Quote from: MichaelJay on June 16, 2009, 08:58

Quote from: FlemishDreams on June 16, 2009, 08:26
What did I miss?
Maybe, that your royalty payments are not necessarily an indication of overall market size?

Yes, I'm biased

null · « **Reply #44 on:** June 16, 2009, 23:24 »

Quote from: stockastic on June 16, 2009, 19:47

I'd say that Getty will simply shut down StockXpert and any others they buy that compete with IS. But they won't do it in a day, because they don't want to lose customers. The whole idea is to take down these sites in stages while herding all their existing customers over to IS.

At least it's clear now what Getty plans to do with StockXpert: they bought their customers, not their contributors.
But somehow, it doesn't make sense, since many images on StockXpert are not on IS. If I were Getty, I would position StockXpert as a B-site and IS as an A-site. Losing all those StockXpert non-IS images to the competition (DT,SS,FT) is dumb. Independents on both IS and StockXpert could be encouraged to delete their IS images on StockXpert, and keep the left-overs on StockXpert. That would be corporate logic: different quality, different prices, maximize income, not feeding the competition.

Xalanx · « **Reply #45 on:** June 16, 2009, 23:48 »

Have you all considered that it could be like - Getty told StockXpert "announce the JIU / Photos.com stuff and also say something nice about your bigger step-sister, istock, aye?". An order from above, directly. Rather than a not-so-subtle suggestion to start moving your photos to istock, because StockXpert will be shut down?

eppic · « **Reply #46 on:** June 16, 2009, 23:58 »

Hmmmm maybe I should request a payout from StockXpert while I still have the chance! Most of my sales came from Photos.com and Jupiter, so I imagine my sales at StockXpert will really tumble now.

MichaelJay · « **Reply #47 on:** June 17, 2009, 02:00 »

Quote from: Elenathewise on June 16, 2009, 22:28

there is no "select all" option. Well, maybe there is one for exclusives:)

No, there isn't.

gostwyck · « **Reply #48 on:** June 17, 2009, 05:35 »

It is an interesting dilemma that Getty have with StockXpert.

Judging by my own sales, in proportion to the greater collection, StockXpert appear to have annual sales of about $4-5M. That might be chickenfeed in comparison to IS and Getty but nonetheless it is still a valuable asset and it is probably higher than the sales of JIU/PC combined too.

If they close StockXpert down then they lose the value of their asset and StockXpert customers are probably more likely to go to DT/FT/BigStock as they are a closer fit price-wise than IS. Giving the competition a boost is not going to be a particularly attractive option. On the other hand if they don't continue to invest in marketing and infrastructure for StockXpert then it will probably die a slow death anyway.

I can't really see the sense in boosting JIU/PC (with IS images) whilst at the same time ignoring or killing off StockXpert. All 3 companies are still competing for customers against IS __ unless you believe the market is firmly segmented price-wise. In that case you might as well support StockXpert and JIU/PC as they are primarily competing against other agencies. My guess is that they haven't got much choice but to support StockXpert into the future.

What would you do if you were in charge of Getty?

hqimages · « **Reply #49 on:** June 17, 2009, 06:10 »

Quote from: gostwyck on June 17, 2009, 05:35

It is an interesting dilemma that Getty have with StockXpert.

Judging by my own sales, in proportion to the greater collection, StockXpert appear to have annual sales of about $4-5M. That might be chickenfeed in comparison to IS and Getty but nonetheless it is still a valuable asset and it is probably higher than the sales of JIU/PC combined too.

If they close StockXpert down then they lose the value of their asset and StockXpert customers are probably more likely to go to DT/FT/BigStock as they are a closer fit price-wise than IS. Giving the competition a boost is not going to be a particularly attractive option. On the other hand if they don't continue to invest in marketing and infrastructure for StockXpert then it will probably die a slow death anyway.

I can't really see the sense in boosting JIU/PC (with IS images) whilst at the same time ignoring or killing off StockXpert. All 3 companies are still competing for customers against IS __ unless you believe the market is firmly segmented price-wise. In that case you might as well support StockXpert and JIU/PC as they are primarily competing against other agencies. My guess is that they haven't got much choice but to support StockXpert into the future.

What would you do if you were in charge of Getty?

No business will ever compete with itself.. istock and StockXpert share the same business model, therefore StockXpert competes directly with istock, and that is not good business, in fact, it's business class 101, do not compete with yourself. There is no hope for those looking for some, the only hope was that StockXpert could be changed entirely so that it does not compete with istock directly, turn it into a subs site? No they want photos.com for that, so I'm afraid StockXpert is gone.

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Author Topic: Is StockXpert going down? (Read 20485 times)

willie

puravida

Milinz

stockastic

Milinz

stockastic

lisafx

Milinz

stockastic

Milinz

WarrenPrice

lathspell

Milinz

melastmohican

penywise

stockastic

stockastic

Elenathewise

null

null

Xalanx

eppic

MichaelJay

gostwyck

hqimages

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