Shutterstock - Shutterstock Images Horrible company that overcharges for poor quality, bad customer service Internet
I purchased a 1 month shutterstock account (costing $200) because they are one of the biggest stock photo sellers out there, and it seemed alot more economical than IStockphoto which is currently very expensive.
Don't get me wrong, they are a great value if you don't mind:
1. Quite a few "error" situations that arise - some of the photos I tried to download were "not available" or just plain errored out when I'd attempt to download them. It also sucked up one of my daily points that I was allocated for my 25 downloads a day. When I contacted them about the problem photos, they told me they could "load them fine and it must just be me"... doubtful.
2. One day after my first complaint about the above, they shut down my account and everytime I tried to download photos a huge FBI warning screenshot came up. The treated me like a CRIMINAL for no reason. I called them and asked what the hell was going on. They said they got a charge back notice from my bank WHICH THEY DID NOT. They never gave me a reason for this "error" and said "oops, our mistake" then switched me back on. They also said this happens occassionally on "various" accounts. What kind of crackheads do they have working for them!?
3. I had ordered a backup CD set before I closed my account (I really had it with their poor customer service). The CD set was supposed to be shipped within 7 days of the end of the 1 month account period ending. 7 days went by, then more days... I emailed them and asked them where my CDs went to! (Almost a month later). They did not give me an explination and said we will "reprint" you a set. 7 days later I did get my CD set and 2 of the CDs were severely damaged! (to the point of being unreadable) and it wasn't from shipping either, it was from the poor discs they used that the substrate was flaking off!! I called them back on the problem on 3/28/08 and spoke to "Patrick" who refused to let me speak to a manager and said they can "reprint" me a set taking another 7 days. I told him this was UNACCEPTABLE and I'd like a refund and my CDs shipped to me FedEx or something. So we'll wait and see if they actually intend to CARE about me as a customer... I seriously doubt it by their track record.
I would think twice before doing business with this weak a*s company.
Cheri
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Cheri
Milwaukee,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
It just keeps getting better... more excuses no CDs
#3Author of original report
Fri, October 23, 2009
I can't believe this place.. I called them 10/22 and asked them for a FedEx tracking number since they promised to expidite my backup CDs and get them out via FedEx. I spoke to Toshi at 2pm CST and he promised me a callback and I never got one. I called again today 10/23 and the lady I spoke to told me that she'd had "someone call me back" I told her no I was promised a call back yesterday and never got one. She was gone around 10-15 minutes and came back on and said she spoke with the supervisor and CD production person and told me that their "CD Machine is broke"... Uh ok no wonder you losers didn't call me back! She did offer me a refund on the backup CDs and "2 days of free service" Oh boy :P I just want my backup CDs people! How is this so hard!!!!
Cheri
Milwaukee,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
Still no backup CD, what is with this place?!
#3Author of original report
Wed, October 14, 2009
I can't get my backup CDs from these guys! I ordered them back on Sept 4th, 2009 and at the end of September I still didn't have anything! My address was correct in the system so no problem there (even verified it with them) so I called again at the beginning of October and their computers were down at the time but the guy said he'd place a rush order and have them shipped "right out" as soon as his computer came back up. Well apparently that never happened because I called AGAIN on October 14th and asked where my discs were and the lady said she had NO record of my call and nothing was ever reprinted or shipped out to me! What the hell is wrong with these people? They screwed me over last time I ordered a backup CD set too and now AGAIN? Seriously hire people that are fired from McDonalds or something?? They are EXPENSIVE ENOUGH of a service crap like this should NOT be happening! GET A CLUE!