MicrostockGroup Sponsors


« previous next »
Home | Pages: [1] 2  All

Author Topic: They disabled my account with(out) any notice  (Read 33618 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

mark

« on: March 05, 2009, 04:52 »
0
Since feb. 21 my account suddenly was disabled. Just like that. No notice. No warnings or anything.

My uploading has been disabled. My gallery is empty. Banned from forum. No reaction from helpdesk.

I am waiting for three days now for an answer. I searched several sites and forums for information about what I can do. But it seems that photographers have not many rights or voice at Shutterstock.

Does anyone have a clue or have the same experience about what's happening at Shutterstock? Please let me know.

Thank you!
Mark
« Last Edit: March 08, 2009, 13:14 by mark »
Logged

e-person

« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2009, 04:57 »
0
Copyright infringment?
Logged

mark

« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2009, 05:09 »
0
Quote from: e-person on March 05, 2009, 04:57
Copyright infringment?


All photo's were made by myself or were constructed by myself in Illustrator. If it's a copyright issue, why don't they notify me first about anything?

They just shut me off! What can I do?
« Last Edit: March 05, 2009, 05:11 by mark »
Logged

leaf

« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2009, 05:11 »
0
perhaps they sent an email without you getting it?

Have you tried calling them on the phone?
Logged

mark

« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2009, 05:13 »
0
Quote from: leaf on March 05, 2009, 05:11
perhaps they sent an email without you getting it?

Have you tried calling them on the phone?

Did not receive any email and can't find a phone number at their site. Just email addresses they don't reply on.

Does anyone have a phone number?
« Last Edit: March 05, 2009, 05:15 by mark »
Logged

Mellimage

« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2009, 05:22 »
0
Sales and Support:
1-866-663-3954
(646) 419 4452 (US)
[email protected]
Logged

mark

« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2009, 05:26 »
0
Thank you Mellimage.
« Last Edit: March 05, 2009, 06:59 by mark »
Logged

mark

« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2009, 06:57 »
0
Does anyone have the same experience?
How did you get back online again?
« Last Edit: March 05, 2009, 07:00 by mark »
Logged

bittersweet

« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2009, 07:15 »
0
Quote from: mark on March 05, 2009, 06:57
Does anyone have the same experience?
How did you get back online again?

I'm sure that would depend on why you were kicked off. It's hard to say whether someone had the "same experience" when you've given us very little information about what action was taken, other than that your account was disabled. Perhaps after you speak with SS and they explain why, you can come back and give more details.

It seems strange to me that you have waited since Feb 21 with no understanding of what happened, yet have not attempted to contact them other than through email. I would have been on the phone within 5 minutes of making the discovery, regardless of long distance charges.
Logged

helix7

« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2009, 08:30 »
0

If there is a claim of copyright infringement made by another user, even if it's just one image, the SS policy is to immediately suspend your account. You will need to contact them to find out if that was the reason or if it was something else, but your story does sound like other copyright-related suspensions that I've heard about in the past.

Logged

mark

« Reply #10 on: March 05, 2009, 09:25 »
0
Quote from: whatalife on March 05, 2009, 07:15
I'm sure that would depend on why you were kicked off. It's hard to say whether someone had the "same experience" when you've given us very little information about what action was taken, other than that your account was disabled.

I also wish I had more information, otherwise I wouldnt be here. :)

Quote from: whatalife on March 05, 2009, 07:15
Perhaps after you speak with SS and they explain why, you can come back and give more details.

I will.

Quote from: whatalife on March 05, 2009, 07:15
It seems strange to me that you have waited since Feb 21 with no understanding of what happened, yet have not attempted to contact them other than through email. I would have been on the phone within 5 minutes of making the discovery, regardless of long distance charges.

I only discovered it 3 days ago (lucky me I don't have to live from that income). For whatever reason they don't put their phone number online...

Quote from: helix7 on March 05, 2009, 08:30
If there is a claim of copyright infringement made by another user, even if it's just one image, the SS policy is to immediately suspend your account.

Thank you. Is this the way to make clear that there's a problem with a photo. Just to shut off an account.? SS policy really s*cks then.  ??? What kind of respect is that.
« Last Edit: March 05, 2009, 09:31 by mark »
Logged

MatHayward

« Reply #11 on: March 05, 2009, 11:35 »
0
They did the exact same thing to me when they learned I am a moderator on the forum at Fotolia.  No warning, no email, no phone call, nothing.  It took me about 5 months to get my $12 payment from them.  The owner refused to take my calls, would not respond to my emails, nothing.  Their response was about worthless. 

They were nothing if not diligent in their communication when asking me to fax my tax information to them though.  Must've received 15 emails, a couple of phone calls, all sorts of communication when they needed something from me.  I informed them that their threat to close my account if I didn't hurry and get their paperwork to them was a disincentive for me to hurry it along.  I did of course send them their stuff but was very unimpressed with their communication.

Mat
Logged

cidepix

« Reply #12 on: March 05, 2009, 12:09 »
0
Quote from: MatHayward on March 05, 2009, 11:35
They did the exact same thing to me when they learned I am a moderator on the forum at Fotolia.  No warning, no email, no phone call, nothing.  It took me about 5 months to get my $12 payment from them.  The owner refused to take my calls, would not respond to my emails, nothing.  Their response was about worthless. 

They were nothing if not diligent in their communication when asking me to fax my tax information to them though.  Must've received 15 emails, a couple of phone calls, all sorts of communication when they needed something from me.  I informed them that their threat to close my account if I didn't hurry and get their paperwork to them was a disincentive for me to hurry it along.  I did of course send them their stuff but was very unimpressed with their communication.

Mat

Mat  :)

So, it is ok to speak bad of shutterstock.. You seem very contributor friendly when it comes to other sites..

I think it is totally reasonable what they did in your case as you were moderating fotolia forum.. That is kind of understandable.. I am not a moderator on any site, yet still banned from fotolia forum for telling my opinion..
Edit: That may be too far. Sorry, I couldn't resist a little joke  :)

That is not good for any business model.. I am a supplier and should be taken as seriously as customers.. Not more, only as much..

I didn't want anything special from fotolia.. I just wanted things to stay the way they were.. Apparently that is a sin, I am a bad apple, and fotolia is my lord..  :D
« Last Edit: March 05, 2009, 12:48 by cidepix »
Logged

null

« Reply #13 on: March 05, 2009, 12:21 »
0
Quote from: cidepix on March 05, 2009, 12:09
I think it is totally reasonable what they did in your case as you were moderating fotolia forum.. That is kind of understandable.. I am not a moderator on any site, yet still banned from fotolia forum for telling my opinion..

I beg to differ. Being banned from a forum is much less serious than a portfolio being banned from sales. A forum is just trivial, since nobody gets paid to post.

A site forum is private and it is part of the site's interface to the market. A ranting post can damage the site easily, as it is picked up by Google. In French they say "Dans la maison du pendu on ne parle pas de la corde" (Never mention rope in the house of a man who has been hanged). That's why I never bother to post at site forums. For rants, we have the Microstockgroup.  :P
Logged

Lcjtripod

« Reply #14 on: March 05, 2009, 12:37 »
0
Another reason why I will not send in 10 images to them and beg to be accepted there. They are not the only fish in the ocean.

Hint: Do not bite the hand that feeds you.  ;D
Not funny but I just had to say it.

-Larry
Logged

cidepix

« Reply #15 on: March 05, 2009, 12:46 »
0
Quote from: FlemishDreams on March 05, 2009, 12:21
Quote from: cidepix on March 05, 2009, 12:09
I think it is totally reasonable what they did in your case as you were moderating fotolia forum.. That is kind of understandable.. I am not a moderator on any site, yet still banned from fotolia forum for telling my opinion..

I beg to differ. Being banned from a forum is much less serious than a portfolio being banned from sales. A forum is just trivial, since nobody gets paid to post.

A site forum is private and it is part of the site's interface to the market. A ranting post can damage the site easily, as it is picked up by Google. In French they say "Dans la maison du pendu on ne parle pas de la corde" (Never mention rope in the house of a man who has been hanged). That's why I never bother to post at site forums. For rants, we have the Microstockgroup.  :P

Sorry, you are right. I am a little angry at what they did but kind of understand. That is not Mat's fault either. It is their policy which is wrong.
Logged

null

« Reply #16 on: March 05, 2009, 13:09 »
0
Quote from: cidepix on March 05, 2009, 12:46
I am a little angry at what they did but kind of understand. That is not Mat's fault either. It is their policy which is wrong.

I didn't say you were wrong. Actually you were right, but the Fotolia site forum is probably not the best place to complain about it. Hundred or more years of trade union activism has teached us that an individual robot is powerless against the moguls, and when he sticks his neck out, he gets beheaded.

Logged

Karimala

« Reply #17 on: March 05, 2009, 13:35 »
0
Quote from: FlemishDreams on March 05, 2009, 13:09
Hundred or more years of trade union activism has teached us that an individual robot is powerless against the moguls, and when he sticks his neck out, he gets beheaded.

Great analogy!  I'll have to remember that.
Logged

null

« Reply #18 on: March 05, 2009, 17:17 »
0
Quote from: Karimala on March 05, 2009, 13:35
Great analogy!  I'll have to remember that.

It has been around for a while, but I guess that with Obama, you finally discovered socialism in the US.  ;D
Logged

an0nym0us

« Reply #19 on: March 07, 2009, 19:20 »
0
Now thats really funny to hear Mat talking about 'bad communication'

never heard about the -$- issue, just to say the last? we all are still waiting for an answer, and all they can do is closing threads about that issue

btw - as someone wrote - profiting on the currency issue is FRAUD, so this is another job for the photographers' union; maybe it's time to start taking legal actions against agencies instead of just posting our thoughts on forums: any solicitors out there among microstock contributors?

Quote from: MatHayward on March 05, 2009, 11:35
They did the exact same thing to me when they learned I am a moderator on the forum at Fotolia.  No warning, no email, no phone call, nothing.  It took me about 5 months to get my $12 payment from them.  The owner refused to take my calls, would not respond to my emails, nothing.  Their response was about worthless. 

They were nothing if not diligent in their communication when asking me to fax my tax information to them though.  Must've received 15 emails, a couple of phone calls, all sorts of communication when they needed something from me.  I informed them that their threat to close my account if I didn't hurry and get their paperwork to them was a disincentive for me to hurry it along.  I did of course send them their stuff but was very unimpressed with their communication.

Mat
« Last Edit: March 07, 2009, 19:27 by an0nym0us »
Logged

epixx

« Reply #20 on: March 08, 2009, 03:37 »
0
Quote from: mark on March 05, 2009, 04:52
Since feb. 21 my account suddenly was disabled. Just like that. No notice. No warnings or anything.

My uploading has been disabled. My gallery is empty. Banned from forum. No reaction from helpdesk.

I am waiting for three days now for an answer. I searched several sites and forums for information about what I can do. But it seems that photographers have not many rights or voice at Shutterstock.

Does anyone have a clue or have the same experience about what's happening at Shutterstock? Please let me know.

Thank you!
Mark

Not the first time this has happened, and probably not the last. It's difficult for a bystander to know who's at fault for the lockout, but SS' lack of communication in cases like this leaves me speechless every time. It's as if they are unable to understand that people are sometimes not guilty, in spite of what they think they've found. But since they are both police, judge and jury, they have the right to be right, every time, and whatever the truth may be.
Logged

MatHayward

« Reply #21 on: March 08, 2009, 04:22 »
0
Quote from: an0nym0us on March 07, 2009, 19:20
Now thats really funny to hear Mat talking about 'bad communication'

[/quote]

Dear "Anonymous" (your courage is admirable),

While I appreciate the fact you went to the trouble to set up your account yesterday so that you could make your point, I am having a tough time finding the irony you intended.  I have been accused of many things, called many names on multiple occasions but for the most part, people don't think I am a bad communicator.  I'm pretty much an open book as far as letting you know what's on my mind.  If I know something, I'm happy and more-than-willing to share it.  The cool thing about it is that I'm also willing to sign my real name to whatever it is I have to say.

Have a spectacular day and go shoot some pics would ya?

Mat
Logged

an0nym0us

« Reply #22 on: March 08, 2009, 06:37 »
0
'The cool thing about it is that I'm also willing to sign my real name to whatever it is I have to say.'; Mat, you are exclusive to Fotolia, and never said a bad thing against them, so it's not so cool to use your real name. I'm afraid I am forced to post as 'anonymous' instead - not a thing I usually do - after reading all that bad stories about accounts being closed, posts being deleted, threads being closed on the official Fotolia forum, and I don't wish to put at risk my hard work there.
On most other microstock sites -except perhaps IS- contributors are allowed to speak freely provide they are being polite, while at Fotolia everything which is slightly critical is being censored - by you, by the way  :)
I could have chosen a fake username looking real, but I preferred making clear that I am forced to be 'anonymous'.

Now, regarding 'bad communication', I was not accusing you - sorry for being unclear - but the Fotolia strategy of not announcing bad news for contributors, hoping we will not realise by ourselves: a long row of bad news in the last few years, and never a good one. And the few announcements are flawed with 'errors', such as the wrong -3% percentage and the exclusive price reduction (soon 'corrected'), which is ridiculous.

Finding always new ways of reducing existing revenues for contributors, and sharing in exchange a minor part of revenues coming from new features, is something unheard of at other major sites.
I know this is a 'voluntary' business and we as contributors accepted that agencies are taking a great share of earnings, but changing rules all the time for the worst after we accepted is - although probably not illegal given the conditions we signed - at least highly disregardful towards contributors.

'Have a spectacular day and go shoot some pics would ya?' Thanks! of course I will, since reading forums is making me nervous. Have a nice day as well.

Quote from: MatHayward on March 08, 2009, 04:22

Dear "Anonymous" (your courage is admirable),

While I appreciate the fact you went to the trouble to set up your account yesterday so that you could make your point, I am having a tough time finding the irony you intended.  I have been accused of many things, called many names on multiple occasions but for the most part, people don't think I am a bad communicator.  I'm pretty much an open book as far as letting you know what's on my mind.  If I know something, I'm happy and more-than-willing to share it.  The cool thing about it is that I'm also willing to sign my real name to whatever it is I have to say.

Have a spectacular day and go shoot some pics would ya?

Mat
« Last Edit: March 08, 2009, 07:01 by an0nym0us »
Logged

MatHayward

« Reply #23 on: March 08, 2009, 12:11 »
0
Quote from: an0nym0us on March 08, 2009, 06:37
'The cool thing about it is that I'm also willing to sign my real name to whatever it is I have to say.'; Mat, you are exclusive to Fotolia, and never said a bad thing against them, so it's not so cool to use your real name. I'm afraid I am forced to post as 'anonymous' instead - not a thing I usually do - after reading all that bad stories about accounts being closed, posts being deleted, threads being closed on the official Fotolia forum, and I don't wish to put at risk my hard work there.
On most other microstock sites -except perhaps IS- contributors are allowed to speak freely provide they are being polite, while at Fotolia everything which is slightly critical is being censored - by you, by the way  :)
I could have chosen a fake username looking real, but I preferred making clear that I am forced to be 'anonymous'.

[/quote]

I'll tell you one thing that I know...Perception is reality.  I realize that what you wrote is your perception and that it's shared by many others.  My belief is that it isn't reality as there is a difference between a complaint and an attack and that most people know when they are crossing that line.  That being said, I am sorry that you feel that way and wish you well.

Mat

Logged

gaja


« Reply #24 on: March 08, 2009, 12:38 »
0
Quote from: FlemishDreams on March 05, 2009, 17:17
Quote from: Karimala on March 05, 2009, 13:35
Great analogy!  I'll have to remember that.

It has been around for a while, but I guess that with Obama, you finally discovered socialism in the US.  ;D

:lol:
Logged
Home | Pages: [1] 2  All
« previous next »
 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
7 Replies
9802 Views 		Last post May 16, 2008, 23:37
by timburton
55 Replies
40150 Views 		Last post August 07, 2008, 15:46
by leaf
3 Replies
3398 Views 		Last post December 09, 2014, 15:28
by dpimborough
91 Replies
48561 Views 		Last post January 05, 2018, 08:12
by smcbuki
14 Replies
8260 Views 		Last post January 19, 2018, 04:53
by qunamax

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors