MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: Storyblocks actually listens to contributor complaints! How can that happen?  (Read 23645 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

SpaceStockFootage

  • Space, Sci-Fi and Astronomy Related Stock Footage

« Reply #25 on: August 10, 2018, 01:03 »
0
So what's the solution/best course of action for contributors?


« Reply #26 on: August 10, 2018, 05:18 »
+2
Matching all the other $79 HD companies sure sounds like price fixing to me.

"Price fixing is an agreement (written, verbal, or inferred from conduct) among competitors that raises, lowers, or stabilizes prices or competitive terms. Generally, the antitrust laws require that each company establish prices and other terms on its own, without agreeing with a competitor."

Price matching and price fixing are two very, very different things. You should look it up.

« Reply #27 on: August 11, 2018, 06:56 »
+2
Did they regain my trust completely? No. After all, they deliberately cut our commissions, broke their initial promise and tried to pass it off as a good thing. That means they are either incompetent (i.e. their business plan wasn't sound to begin with) or greedy, or both. The damage is already done and I'll never look the same at them again.

Think about it, they must have discussed different scenarios before implementing the commission cut. Did the backlash really surprise them? I find that hard to believe. Maybe this was part of their cunning masterplan; cut commissions, wait for a backlash and then proceed with new pricing to make us feel heard.

And apparently it works. Contributors are slowly accepting the new situation: SB profits, we lose money but still continue to upload. Well played SB, well played.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2018, 07:01 by Noedelhap »

« Reply #28 on: August 11, 2018, 09:02 »
+1
It's what mainly politicians do with respect to taxes. "Next month taxes are going up 10%! What? Too High? Sorry, we can't"... <several weeks pass> "After careful consideration, we've realized we can save you 5% on taxes, so it will only go up 5%"...  <applause from audience>

Did they regain my trust completely? No. After all, they deliberately cut our commissions, broke their initial promise and tried to pass it off as a good thing. That means they are either incompetent (i.e. their business plan wasn't sound to begin with) or greedy, or both. The damage is already done and I'll never look the same at them again.

Think about it, they must have discussed different scenarios before implementing the commission cut. Did the backlash really surprise them? I find that hard to believe. Maybe this was part of their cunning masterplan; cut commissions, wait for a backlash and then proceed with new pricing to make us feel heard.

And apparently it works. Contributors are slowly accepting the new situation: SB profits, we lose money but still continue to upload. Well played SB, well played.

SpaceStockFootage

  • Space, Sci-Fi and Astronomy Related Stock Footage

« Reply #29 on: August 11, 2018, 09:14 »
0
Have politicians ever done that?

« Reply #30 on: August 11, 2018, 09:22 »
0
Have politicians ever done that?

Cite a higher raise in taxes, then only raise them slightly? Yes, many many times.

(In my example - there was still a 5% raise in taxes. However, how it was "worded" is people think they are "saving" 5%, but the wording is "5% off the original 10%", so it is still a 5% raise. Not a 10% raise.

lol - I guess it works though. Re-read what I wrote - and you'll see there still was a '5%' raise... :P

« Reply #31 on: August 11, 2018, 10:49 »
+3
This line of "thought" is absurd conspiracy theory. If they were deviously planning both a commission cut and price raise, it would have obviously been much smarter to have done them at the same time to soften the blow of the commission cut. By doing one and then waiting 1-2 weeks, they lost portfolios, lost uploads, killed trust with their contributors, etc. Plainly NOT the best course of action from a business standpoint. What this appears to be on the surface is exactly what it was: they thought people would accept a 50% commission, since that is still tied for highest commission among major sites. But they sorely miscalculated vis a vis their low prices. When it was shown to them just how bad their thinking was by a whole lot of pissed off contributors who took the time to respond, they realized they needed to adjust, so they did.

SpaceStockFootage

  • Space, Sci-Fi and Astronomy Related Stock Footage

« Reply #32 on: August 11, 2018, 12:12 »
+1
Have politicians ever done that?

Cite a higher raise in taxes, then only raise them slightly? Yes, many many times.

(In my example - there was still a 5% raise in taxes. However, how it was "worded" is people think they are "saving" 5%, but the wording is "5% off the original 10%", so it is still a 5% raise. Not a 10% raise.

lol - I guess it works though. Re-read what I wrote - and you'll see there still was a '5%' raise... :P

Yeah I understand what you said, I'm just wanting to know where was this country where they said they were raising it to 10% and then they only raised it to 5%, and when was this?

« Reply #33 on: August 11, 2018, 16:56 »
0
Isn't this illegal 'Price Fixing' ?

No, it's price fixing in the sense that they've changed the price. Companies do that all the time without it being illegal.

If it were a monopoly then it could be. That PharmaBro guy comes to mind. In a free market you are, as should be, free to set whatever price on your products/services that you care to.

Edit: Energy companies in Texas! That's a good one, they're always getting wrapped up in lawsuits.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2018, 16:58 by DallasP »

« Reply #34 on: August 11, 2018, 19:36 »
0
Did they regain my trust completely? No. After all, they deliberately cut our commissions, broke their initial promise and tried to pass it off as a good thing. That means they are either incompetent (i.e. their business plan wasn't sound to begin with) or greedy, or both. The damage is already done and I'll never look the same at them again.

Think about it, they must have discussed different scenarios before implementing the commission cut. Did the backlash really surprise them? I find that hard to believe. Maybe this was part of their cunning masterplan; cut commissions, wait for a backlash and then proceed with new pricing to make us feel heard.

And apparently it works. Contributors are slowly accepting the new situation: SB profits, we lose money but still continue to upload. Well played SB, well played.

Yup !
That's why I took the time to explain my opinion in details.
I had to stop uploading since the last 6 months and I got that e-mail... then got here and saw that post of happy people !
...
I was kinda shocked and went to read the whole story and yes - that looks like a master plan well organized to me.
Whatever what's the result. I have to said that asking 25% at first would have been more acceptable than 50% in one shot.
Anyways... we all loose money and they will start making millions.

« Reply #35 on: August 12, 2018, 05:55 »
+1
This line of "thought" is absurd conspiracy theory. If they were deviously planning both a commission cut and price raise, it would have obviously been much smarter to have done them at the same time to soften the blow of the commission cut. By doing one and then waiting 1-2 weeks, they lost portfolios, lost uploads, killed trust with their contributors, etc. Plainly NOT the best course of action from a business standpoint. What this appears to be on the surface is exactly what it was: they thought people would accept a 50% commission, since that is still tied for highest commission among major sites. But they sorely miscalculated vis a vis their low prices. When it was shown to them just how bad their thinking was by a whole lot of pissed off contributors who took the time to respond, they realized they needed to adjust, so they did.

Absurd conspiracy? Maybe. But I cannot imagine they never considered a possible backlash. The thought of angry contributors threatening to cease uploading or removing their portfolio should have crossed their mind. Business decisions aren't made over night, it's a process of careful consideration, meetings, discussions, weighing the pros and cons. If they really underestimated our reaction and suddenly decided to cushion the blow after the fact, then management is simply incompetent. I don't know what's worse: deceiving your contributors, or mismanaging your business.

« Reply #36 on: August 12, 2018, 09:01 »
+1
Too late.  I deleted all my files there.

« Reply #37 on: August 12, 2018, 09:03 »
+2
Does that mean Dissolve will need to update it's HD prices back to $79 for all those who sell both on VB and dissolve??

Forget about Dissolve.  People are nasty there.  Bad people to do business with.  I'll never go back.

« Reply #38 on: August 14, 2018, 13:00 »
0
Various local cities with respect to property taxes, and percentages vary. Every 2-3 years, the city will say "to grow/support infrastructure, we need to increase property taxes by _x_ amount". Usually a large percentage. Then a public outcry. Then the city says 'oh, okay, it will only go up by _x_ amount".

Also, something that is popular in Canada is to say that people are getting a "huge" tax break with a home renovation project/whatever the flavor of the year is, usually between $500-$1000. (The real value of that though is actually only about $75-$150 off the 'final' tax bill, because it is pre-tax). But then the CPP contributions (a type of tax), or something else (varies, again) increase by "only" 1% of the total income. People that can't do math, or don't take the time to do it think its a great deal. But 1% of a $30k income (which is a base/minimum wage salary) is $300 in taxes. So the net effect is that taxes have gone up. Of course, if you make more than that, you pay more.

Have politicians ever done that?

Cite a higher raise in taxes, then only raise them slightly? Yes, many many times.

(In my example - there was still a 5% raise in taxes. However, how it was "worded" is people think they are "saving" 5%, but the wording is "5% off the original 10%", so it is still a 5% raise. Not a 10% raise.

lol - I guess it works though. Re-read what I wrote - and you'll see there still was a '5%' raise... :P

Yeah I understand what you said, I'm just wanting to know where was this country where they said they were raising it to 10% and then they only raised it to 5%, and when was this?

« Reply #39 on: August 14, 2018, 13:03 »
0
Unfortunately, at this point in time, doesn't make much of a difference. Because if one person decides to stop uploading, there are 10 more in his place ready to jump at the opportunity to make 'riches' submitting content.

I don't think they really care, other than their bottom line.

This line of "thought" is absurd conspiracy theory. If they were deviously planning both a commission cut and price raise, it would have obviously been much smarter to have done them at the same time to soften the blow of the commission cut. By doing one and then waiting 1-2 weeks, they lost portfolios, lost uploads, killed trust with their contributors, etc. Plainly NOT the best course of action from a business standpoint. What this appears to be on the surface is exactly what it was: they thought people would accept a 50% commission, since that is still tied for highest commission among major sites. But they sorely miscalculated vis a vis their low prices. When it was shown to them just how bad their thinking was by a whole lot of pissed off contributors who took the time to respond, they realized they needed to adjust, so they did.

Absurd conspiracy? Maybe. But I cannot imagine they never considered a possible backlash. The thought of angry contributors threatening to cease uploading or removing their portfolio should have crossed their mind. Business decisions aren't made over night, it's a process of careful consideration, meetings, discussions, weighing the pros and cons. If they really underestimated our reaction and suddenly decided to cushion the blow after the fact, then management is simply incompetent. I don't know what's worse: deceiving your contributors, or mismanaging your business.

« Reply #40 on: August 14, 2018, 13:13 »
+1
Yeah I understand what you said, I'm just wanting to know where was this country where they said they were raising it to 10% and then they only raised it to 5%, and when was this?

Also - recently (in Ontario), the minimum wage was increased from about $11 to $14 (about a 27% increase). However, the cost of regular goods & services (so companies could pay the higher salaries) went up about 40%. On top of that, now since most people are in higher income/tax brackets - they actually pay even more tax than they did before.

So numbers wise - they "make" more gross income. But practicially speaking, they are poorer/worse off than before the wage hike, because their dollar doesn't buy as much, AND, they now pay more taxes overall.

SpaceStockFootage

  • Space, Sci-Fi and Astronomy Related Stock Footage

« Reply #41 on: August 14, 2018, 14:18 »
0
So they put it down to $12.50?

« Reply #42 on: August 18, 2018, 04:18 »
0
 Where is the 79$ sale????

 >:( >:( >:(
« Last Edit: August 18, 2018, 04:21 by rod-09 »

« Reply #43 on: August 18, 2018, 04:24 »
0
Where is the 79$ sale????

 >:( >:( >:(

From the original post "By October 15, 2018, we will raise the publicized price of HD footage to $79."

« Reply #44 on: August 18, 2018, 04:31 »
0
Oh, I misread, I thought that from 15. of August this will go live.  :o

« Reply #45 on: August 18, 2018, 06:10 »
+1
Jumping to conclusions, good research and considered opinion are all things of the past now, it's called the Trump effect.  Misread, misheard, mis fecking spoke, you will never be wrong again.

« Reply #46 on: August 18, 2018, 06:58 »
0
my bad... I thought it was on the 15 august the whole changes.

2 months gap between the 2 different changes...  Really smart move from them  >:(


« Reply #47 on: October 19, 2018, 16:38 »
0
I got sale yesterday and the price still at $49.00!!!

« Reply #48 on: October 19, 2018, 22:25 »
0
I got sale yesterday and the price still at $49.00!!!


No big deal, it was probably made a day or two before the change in price.

« Reply #49 on: October 20, 2018, 03:32 »
+2
I got sale yesterday and the price still at $49.00!!!

I'm not sure what's more surprising - getting the sale or it being at the old price.

Rather than an increase in sales which Storyblocks suggested would happen though these changes, mine have dropped a further 50% from when we were getting 100%, so down to about 10% of their peak. The agency is now firmly in the "why bother" category. Seriously considering deleting my portfolio there.


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
3 Replies
3079 Views
Last post July 11, 2008, 03:31
by fotografer
59 Replies
15894 Views
Last post February 19, 2015, 07:49
by Dook
3 Replies
4661 Views
Last post December 26, 2015, 21:28
by noodle
3 Replies
5905 Views
Last post September 26, 2017, 20:39
by SpaceStockFootage
0 Replies
3129 Views
Last post August 09, 2018, 10:20
by Sean Locke Photography

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors