Author Topic: StockXpert / Photos.Com (Read 14205 times)

Pixart · « **on:** July 27, 2008, 23:12 »

StockXpert has recently announced a partnership with Photos.Com which has raised concerns with contributors; mainly for two reasons:

1. Contributors no longer have the choice to opt out of sub sales; and

2. Contributors will receive 30 cents per sub sale from Photos.Com; although this commission is the same as StockXpert, the license permists use on products that require Extended or Enhanced License purchases elsewhere.

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MikLav · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2008, 08:05 »

StockXpert makes a significant portion of my monthly microstock income, so I wouldn't leave it so easily, although I have some concerns too... but I don't think it's just black and white.

On one hand "cheap ELs" (if it will be that way) seem to be unfair, and not in line neither with StockXpert nor with other micros; even completely subscription-focused SS has a special price for EL.

On the other hand, the discussion about "fair" and "unfair" pricing for stock photos resembles to me the discussions between "macro" and "micro" whether microstock is fair at all.

BTW couple of years ago there were no ELs at all, and all sales were at "micro" prices.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2008, 08:55 »

Right, and the market has sort of decided that isn't "fair" (see all the new $1 for anything sites that quickly disappear), so we've sort of established what is "fair" these days. Somewhat limited rights (keep usage to promotional work), anywhere from $3ish to$20ish based on size.

jsnover · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2008, 09:13 »

Quote from: MikLav on July 28, 2008, 08:05

On the other hand, the discussion about "fair" and "unfair" pricing for stock photos resembles to me the discussions between "macro" and "micro" whether microstock is fair at all.

Even if you stipulate for that moment that you are right and the discussions are similar, in that case it was a new group of contributors bringing to market new work that they figured could find customers with a high volume, bargain price model.

In this case the distributors are encouraging us to do this to ourselves - undercut yourselves on the sites trying to build prices and quality by selling for remainder table (bargain) prices elsewhere.

We don't need some other group of people to do or stop doing anything. We just need to pull our content and perhaps they'll find enough new people to make this work, perhaps not.

rene · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2008, 09:42 »

The real problem is if we continue to work with StockXpert now, it means that we are ready to accept everything. Why others, "fair" sites like SS will give us every year increase ?
Payouts will decrease everywhere and very soon in this case. So before make this decision think about what you can lose in ENTIRE microstock and not only at StockXpert. Are you sure that SS, IS... are altruists ? Maybe that's the reason why DT is waiting with royalties updates...

keo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2008, 09:47 »

Microstock industry will died because Jupiter/ StockXpert

kgtoh · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2008, 10:16 »

Nobody Panic!!!!

Panic!!!!!!! Panic!

jsnover · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2008, 11:37 »

Quote from: keo on July 28, 2008, 09:47

Microstock industry will died because Jupiter/ StockXpert

I doubt that. There is some possibility for an upside. Buyers will want to buy images just as much next month as last; if StockXpert/Jupiter drive contributors away from StockXpert because of this ill-advised Photos.com move, buyers will try to find the content they know and love at one of the other sites.

Those of us with our work at the sites that are giving contributors a fair shake should then pick up some or all of the business we lost by taking our work off StockXpert.

helix7 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:12 »

Someone correct me if I'm wrong:

It sounds like this new arrangement does not affect those who are already opted in for subs and it does not (in theory) affect overall earnings for people like me who almost never get ELs anyway.

Is that accurate?

jsnover · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:20 »

Quote from: helix7 on July 28, 2008, 12:12

Someone correct me if I'm wrong:

It sounds like this new arrangement does not affect those who are already opted in for subs and it does not (in theory) affect overall earnings for people like me who almost never get ELs anyway.

Is that accurate?

If you get no ELs from any site, then in the short term, it'd make no difference to you - in theory.

And if you believe that paying out $2500+ per month when you take in $99 from the buyer for those 7500 photos is a long term sustainable business, then I've got a nice - slightly used - bridge I'd like to talk to you about buying...

Freezingpictures · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:37 »

Interesting point Helix.

I just did a calculation. From my last 5000 dls at SS I had about 15 Els. Which is quite good I suppose.
Lets assume the Photos.com royalty for StockXpert contributers. 5000 X 0.3 = $1500
Lets assume $20 for an EL: 15X 20 = $300
So I would loose 20% income. If however the XL and XXL sales would provide the 20% which I am loosing which could be quite possible than I am not really loosing income.
However I do think the licensing terms are unfortunate but we will not see a lot of SS customers, fotolia or DT customers switching to a new site. I believe most of the customers are not so familar with the sites as we are anyway.

jsnover · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2008, 13:08 »

Couple of quibbles with the example.

1. We get $28 per EL from SS at the moment (past sales did net $20, but that's not relevant to August 2008 moving forward)

2. Why would anyone pay $249 for an XL image when they can buy it from any of the other micro sites for 1/10th that price?

3. If buyers were to switch from subscriptions at any of the other microstock sites to Photos.com, you also lose the difference between your commission at the other sites and 30 cents (which is not a good commission now everyone else has raised theirs).

Freezingpictures · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2008, 13:58 »

Jsnover.

1. I know that we do get $28 at SS. Then make it $28 and it will be 28%. I still think the Xl and XXL sales can make up for it.

2. The pricing is actually $49 - $299. Of course they can buy it cheaper elsewhere, if they find it. But why do so many people still buy royalty-free at traditional agencies?

3. $0.3 commission is not that good, I agree and I wish it would be higher, but at least they have taken the step to limit it to roughly 4,3 MP.

The photos.com model has advantages for some customers, but not for everyone. Look at the high prices for the XL and XXL sizes. I am also pretty certain most bigger customers would prefer to stick to one agency.

I am actually looking forward how it will turn out. If it however seems to turn out negatively....

lisafx · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2008, 15:07 »

Since I am already opted in to subs on StockXpert, that is not the aspect that worries me. Yes, .30 is low, but hopefully that will rise quickly once their business model sorts itself out.

But the licensing really does concern me quite a bit. I make a fairly decent number of EL's on other sites, and giving away EL-like rights for .30 per image is completely unacceptable.

Since the details haven't been revealed yet, I will continue to hope that Jupiter is planning to rewrite the photos.net license to restrict usage for subscription images. They should only offer EL like rights to those paying the high prices for XL or larger, or else they should link to the images on StockXpert for extended usages.

stokfoto · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2008, 15:14 »

Quote from: lisafx on July 28, 2008, 15:07

Since I am already opted in to subs on StockXpert, that is not the aspect that worries me. Yes, .30 is low, but hopefully that will rise quickly once their business model sorts itself out.

But the licensing really does concern me quite a bit. I make a fairly decent number of EL's on other sites, and giving away EL-like rights for .30 per image is completely unacceptable.

I totally agree licensing is the most concerning part of this.

Karimala · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2008, 16:11 »

I won't decide until I see their final plan in place. Seems silly to pull my portfolio BEFORE our concerns have been taken into consideration.

sharpshot · « **Reply #16 on:** July 28, 2008, 16:28 »

I still find it incredible that they have given us just a few days to digest this. It looks like a huge change and people away for 2 weeks wont of had the choice to remove their images if they don't want to participate. That seems unprofessional to me and I now have serious doubts about the people running StockXpert.

They need to do something quick to restore my faith in them. They should at least postpone this until the end of August, so that we all have a chance to make a decision.

madelaide · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2008, 18:38 »

I will wait to see how this develops. Like when they introduced subs, I waited a few months before subs started to be a nuisance, then I opted out.

As I have stated in many threads before, I don't like having buyers paying so little for what is already so cheap. Buyers may already be using images in ways that would require an EL and we may not know. However, with the Photos.com terms they can do it legally.

I don't make a living out of stock photography, so I have an easy choice of being out something I don't agree with.

Regards,
Adelaide

vphoto · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2008, 20:38 »

StockXpert is 7th in earnings for me. Dropping it would not hurt me.

stokfoto · « **Reply #19 on:** July 29, 2008, 05:44 »

they are my 4th earner and it'd certainly hurt in the short term if I pulled my folio from there but I have to think long term consequences.so for now I am watching anxiously if they go through with this I will have no option but to leave.

stickstock · « **Reply #20 on:** July 29, 2008, 08:00 »

StockXpert were my highest earner right up until 4th July when all downloads seemed to have stopped. I'm still getting the views but no downloads. Anyone else found this? So, for me, it's as if I've pulled my portfolio already! But I'm going to stay to see if sales pick back up before making a decision.

MikLav · « **Reply #21 on:** July 30, 2008, 03:41 »

no, my July sales are ok on StockXpert

madelaide · « **Reply #22 on:** July 30, 2008, 06:34 »

I'm having very good sales in StockXpert. Even an XL this week - I love those 10 credits!

Regards,
Adelaide

jsolie · « **Reply #23 on:** July 30, 2008, 17:43 »

My sales at StockXpert have steadily declined over the last couple of months--not sure if it's summer malaise, or just a "portfolio to designer need disconnect."

At this point, I'm planning on keeping an eye on things at StockXpert. I might not upload new images, but not yet sure if I'm going to start disabling images. I guess it depends on how many $.30 sales show up, and if it can be discerned if these were from photos.com. I certainly don't like the idea of losing out on an EL. Don't ask me how I know this, but I know what "shafted" feels like.

Pixart · « **Reply #24 on:** July 30, 2008, 19:21 »

81 Voters, and 10 with no intention to leave StockXpert (Steve, one of those must be you

) and most of the rest on the fence.

If the poll dies before the town-hall, would someone mind posting a comment on the bottom to bring it up to the top.

Maybe after the town-hall opinions will change. Remember - you can remove your vote as it is, and place a new vote.

Steve-O thanks for the invitation to the town hall, but I am one of those that start summer vacation tonight. You are a very considerate rep of StockXpert, I am sorry that you are always the one who is attacked when something controversial comes up.

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Author Topic: StockXpert / Photos.Com (Read 14205 times)

Pixart

MikLav

Sean Locke Photography

jsnover

rene

keo

kgtoh

jsnover

helix7

jsnover

Freezingpictures

jsnover

Freezingpictures

lisafx

stokfoto

Karimala

sharpshot

madelaide

vphoto

stokfoto

stickstock

MikLav

madelaide

jsolie

Pixart

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