Hi Brian,

I'd like to add the idea of offering the vectors and their jpg versions. Jpg versions of an image could be priced the same as the photos currently up at marketplace xs, s, m, l, xl, xxl. The vector version costing a bit more than the xxl jpg. I think this would give buyers a wide range of options depending on what they need the image for.

Good one Randomway - I meant to include that in the post. I'll edit it now.

Thanks!

 - Brian

Just wanted to bump this up in case others want to reply.

Brian - Could you tell us what the current pricing model is shaping up to be?

I do a lot of vectors and i now that are vectors that i can make in 10 minutes and are some that take hours or heaven day�s.
In my opinion the the most fair approach is the one taken by istock, were they have 3 or 4 ways of charging for the vectors depending on complexity but most of us submit also to many sites that have subscription sales. In this sites the complexity don�t matter, this make the marketing difficult to a site with several prices and not exclusivity from the vector artists.
But if you take this way and the contributer start having sales and see that if he make detail illustrations and get more for that illustrations that he get in a subscriptions site, maybe he takes one approach like the one i take. I have vectors to sell in istock that i don�t sell in the other site, because in my opinion they are complex and time consuming and i don�t want to sell it for 0,30$. We are seeing (at least i am) a drop in the subscription sales. And this is a way that a site have vectors all most exclusive because we (contributors) make a selection were to sell vectors according complexity vs price.

Hi MSG'ers:

Do you have a preference for how .eps vector files should be priced on a microstock platform?
A few common setups that other microstock sites use:

a) tiered by file complexity/depth/layers (some vectors cost x, some cost y, and some cost z)
b) flat (vectors cost x)
c) vector is another file size option (vectors have rasterized JPEG versions, .eps vector file is priced equivalent to XXL size JPEG)
d) have another idea? (describe it)

I know that many of you here are more photo-centric, but I think this is a question you all should weigh in on.

We've got an answer in place here, but I want to confirm that we're in alignment with what works for you.

Your input = helpful+awesome   

[ edited to include important option that I forgot  - thanks Randomway! ]
 - Brian

Brian I have got some fiery threads on fotolia forum about this issue:)

Mat, who is moderating fotolia forum even told me that "I was treading very close to the line that steps beyond voicing an opinion and concern into the realm of pure disrespect which will not be tolerated in the Fotolia forum" !!

Well there is no reason to push it any further there because they will do what they want.. But I stopped uploading vector versions of my illustrations to fotolia and will never upload again unless they change the pricing..

I have been defending the idea that the vector versions should be the most expensive file on stocksites regardless the complexity.. If the buyer doesn't think that file is not worth the max price but still needs the file they will get one of the jpegs anyway..

If you do it just like Randomway said it will be perfect.. As long as vector is the most expensive file I can definitely consider uploading to veer.. If you need an exact model: then dreamstime model is amazing.. That is what I call fair ranking..

About complexity: A very simple file could be very well thought and appealing to buyers.. You might think it is not complex and very simple but this decision will lose you a lot of money because sometimes a very simple file will be selling like hot cakes even if it is 15 dollars.. You will lose a lot of money if you decide that file is worth 5 credits..

I don't know if you are aware of the latest joke of fotolia 

They price the jpegs starting from 1 to 8 and then the vector for 4, 6 or 8.. How hilarious!!! I can produce the maximum size jpeg with that 4 dollar vector.. Anyway, they are not getting any vectors from me.. I decided from now on I am not going to be discussing anything on fotolia forum as it is extremely undemocratic and they call you uncivilized when you voice your opinion very openly..

Democracy and civilization exist today because of people who shouted and behaved uncivilized according to the King's description of civilization.. Thanks to the crowds who behaved uncivilized and revolted against the king of France to cause French revolution.. I can't thank them more for their contribution to humanity..

As long as the EPS is the most expensive file your site will be supported.. I am not going to support another one of the negatives.. We need a good model that we can support and hopefully make it number one, then just desert the rest and leave them to their misery:))

You need to be offering the best model Brian, if you want to be succesfull from this point.. Not a bad model we already have! Think about the long term gains and love you will get.. Not the short term ambitions..

%50 commission is preferable as well.. If you don't pay %50 then you will still need to wait until you can be one of the big 2 (not big 6) for me to upload my EPS files.. I don't need another %30 and I will not be supporting it.. We already have that and hopefully trying to change it.. Somehow we will figure out a way.. Because history is full of revolutions..

Nobody can stand against the crowds.. Kings couldn't, microstock companies can't as well..

Thanks for asking in the first place.. That is "good contributors relations!"

I prefer a flat fee based on complexity like iStockphoto has. I don't like how some companies allow the individual to download the jpegs instead of the eps file. For the price the buyer can increase the size, change the color, add or subtract details from the vector file; etc.

Only the buyers who pay max price for EPS deserve the right to modify the file..

On IS I have a file which is 10 credits based on complexity.. On DT the same file is currently 24 credits and still selling like hot cakes.. Nobody cares if it is complex.. They still buy it for 24 credits.. DT gets half of it..

I agree IS has a nice system, although when I started there a lot of vectors sold for 1 credit which was frustrating when your image got priced that low. They did a good job of handling the subscription royalties as well.