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Agency Based Discussion => Sites that no longer exist => StockXpert.com => Topic started by: jsnover on March 14, 2008, 20:00

Title: Vector pricing at StockXpert
Post by: jsnover on March 14, 2008, 20:00
Following a discussion about Fotolia's vectors I thought I'd upload one vector to StockXpert as a test to see how they priced it - I no longer have subscriptions enabled, so I'd consider uploading vectors there.

Right now I only upload the vector originals at iStock as the prices everywhere else are too low or not dependent on the complexity of the vector. In theory, StockXpert's prices are dependent upon complexity, however in practice it seems that they make everything 10 credits.

I can't find anything that isn't 10 credits which is too cheap for a very complex vector. I don't know which level 10 credits represents (they say they have simple, medium, high and super high complexity).

If you do a search for dead fish on StockXpert (use advanced search to select vector) you'll see an image titled Poisoned Fish. It's a fine vector, but it's a very simple set of shapes, all black, of two fish skeletons. This is priced at 10 credits.

I just uploaded a very detailed image of a container ship in port, and that was also rated as 10 credits, which I think is totally out of line. 
(http://images.stockxpert.com/pic/m/j/js/jsnover/11153481_36934599.jpg) (http://stockxpert.com/browse.phtml?f=view&id=11153481)

I'm happy to upload large JPEGs to the sites that don't have decent pricing - I just don't want to give away the scalability and editability of complex items at low prices.

Is there any sort of repricing policy for vectors at StockXpert? Has anyone else been unhappy with the pricing - and if you complained, did the vector get repriced?
Title: Re: Vector pricing at StockXpert
Post by: steve-oh on March 15, 2008, 10:12
Hi jsnover,

We just revamped the vector pricing scheme a few months ago to make it much simpler. We basically made every vector 5 or 10 credits, and this was a huge raise for most of the aritsts.

We made all 1 credit vectors 5 credits and all 5 credit vectors 10 credits. 10 credit vectors stayed the same.

We had very few 20 credit vectors, and  only a very small number of them saw any sales. So those became 10 credits as well.

The change was very well received by the vector artists.
Title: Re: Vector pricing at StockXpert
Post by: jsnover on March 15, 2008, 11:36
Thanks for the explanation - you might want to update the help page which has apparently out of date text on four levels.

However, I will remove the vector from StockXpert as I can make the same on an XXL sale of the JPEG version as on the vector and that just doesn't seem right. There's a ton more value in the editable, scalable version than in the JPEG.

OTOH maybe I should do some fish skeleton silhouettes :)
Title: Re: Vector pricing at StockXpert
Post by: fintastique on March 22, 2008, 14:18
I noticed that your container ship vector is selling for ten credits at iStock where you are going to receive just 20% so at the most $2.60 but less with bulk purchases of credits.

Whereas 50% of 10 credits at StockXpert is $5 so a better deal

If you are going to spend that much time on a vector it might be better to just submit rasterized versions but if you have your own website. You can sell eps files at Featurepics and you can set the price $20 and receive $14

for the full price comparison check out this table (http://www.fintastique.com/guide.htm#Image)



Title: Re: Vector pricing at StockXpert
Post by: jsnover on March 22, 2008, 16:44
I noticed that your container ship vector is selling for ten credits at iStock where you are going to receive just 20% so at the most $2.60 but less with bulk purchases of credits.

Whereas 50% of 10 credits at StockXpert is $5 so a better deal

I was actually very surprised at the 10 credit price - other things I'd done of similar (I thought) complexity are priced at 15 credits at iStock.

I understand that given the price iStock set I'd get more money in my pocket from StockXpert's 10 credits, but it's a huge disincentive to create complex vectors to have the pricing structure that StockXpert (and other sites) have.

I have the JPEG of that file for sale at StockXpert - which is 10 credits at the XXL size, so the only "risk" I'm taking is someone who won't buy it without the editable format.

As far as Featurepics, the stuff I'd read here suggested that their prices look good but they don't sell any/much, so that wouldn't really help.
Title: Re: Vector pricing at StockXpert
Post by: fintastique on March 23, 2008, 03:39
Featurepics is really only a viable option if you have your own website and you want to redirect sales back to them.
Title: Re: Vector pricing at StockXpert
Post by: lumina on March 23, 2008, 13:42
Featurepics is really only a viable option if you have your own website and you want to redirect sales back to them.

Why? I have obtain more money here than in Crestock in the same time and with the same portfolio.