I canceled my subscription a long time ago and just found out that I have been charged $79.00 unknowingly. I followed the proper cancellation process and read everything so that I would be aware of the subscription terms, in which I had to do again and did the same thing that I did before! I'm worried that it's still not canceled based on this history So I don't understand why I am being charged when I have already canceled months ago! I will NEVER subscribe to this company again or give them my business, ever again! I WANT A REFUND FOR THE LAST CHARGE THAT WAS MADE BECAUSE THIS ACCOUNT WAS CANCELLLLLLLEEEEEEDDDD!
I agree with the other users. BigStockPhoto.com is an image download website people should never download from.
My chat with their "customer service" rep (after their system offered me the chat, then, when I typed a line, it says there is no one to answer and I should leave a message):
Grete: Hello and thank you for visiting. Can I help you in any way?
Me: Extremely disappointed. Not only both of your links in the cart (Standard Agreement and Editorial Agreement) lead to... your cart instead of those agreements, one has to use FB to get the downloads. What kind of a company is this?
Grete: I am looking up your account. One moment please.
Me: Plus, the No thanks option leads to http://www.bigstockphoto.com/cart/#, so does your leave a message link above. Are you guys running this from a garage?
Grete: To download the images, please go to the cart and verify the size choices for each image. Then scroll down to the agreement and check off the box. Below that is a blue box with instructions for posting on Facebook. If you prefer not to post, just click the Grey "No Thanks" link below blue box. Once that box is eliminated, you will see the download button and you can proceed with that process.
This is a feature we offer to our customers in case they would like to share their images on Facebook.
If you are experiencing a loop like issue, we recommend clearing your Cache and Cookies.
Here is a link that explains this process: support.google.com/accounts/an...
Me: Grete, or whatever your real name is, please stop this copy'n'paste nonsense. I am about to write you guys a very SEO-friendly (read: unfriendly) review so pay attention.
First of all, why would I need to do that? Wouldn't your average clients experience the same thing? (Considering this is my very first use of your site.)... no response...
Secondly, why don't you tell people (honestly/ahead of time) that you are such losers you demand free FB advertising? Isn't it a bit too late to tell them AFTER they give you their credit card number, their contact details, etc.?... no response...
Thirdly, since you are unable to at least say one moment, why do you have the message option appearing after you offer this chat?
Grete: We are very sorry you are not satisfied with our service. If you prefer, I can proceed to cancel your trial now and close your account.
Me: This is not an answer one would expect, considering the number of people who will read my review and this text.
Grete: Otherwise, we ask that you follow the steps to clear cache and cookies.
Me: Hello?
You kidding me?
Are you going to respond to my points?
Grete: Sir. There is not reported issues with the site or the trial.
Me: Madam, I've just reported them.
Grete: I would like to assist you, however, if you do not follow the instructions, we won't be able to make any progress
Me: If I used your site previously, I would understand the cache/cookies situation. That's not the case.
Grete: Regarding the Facebook post option, this is something that we give you as an alternative. You do not have to do it.
Me: I AM FILING A COMPLAINT PRIOR TO CLOSING DOWN MY ACCOUNT AND PUBLISHING A PROMINENT REVIEW.
Grete: Please remember this is a free trial as well. This Facebook option will not be present for paid plans.
We will be happy to review your feedback.
Please make sure to cancel your trial before it expires, or you will be charged for the first month of a subscription.
You can do this in the "My Account" area
Me: Okay, how much is your normal (short-term/paid) trial?
So I don't have to face this FB begging.
Grete: A one month plan is 39 EUR. You can see all our plans here:
bigstockphoto.com/subscribe/
Please remember all plans renew after 30 days
You can cancel anytime
Me: Funny, this link works perfectly. Unlike those conditions, and your message form. No cache/cookies issue now.
Grete: I will make sure to report your experience. Unfortunately, I was not able to reproduce it, but it will be sent to our tech team so they can review it.
I'm going to disconnect this chat now, but if you have any further concerns, please email *******@bigstockphoto.com
Thank you for contacting us.
Chat session disconnected.
This site has pros and cons.
First, the layout is very idiot proof and user friendly.
Con, the search aspect sucks. If you are looking for, let's say, BIG GIRLS WITH REDHAIR AND CIRCUS CLOWN you can only search by BIG, GIRLS, REDHAIR or CIRCUS CLOWN. The only way to narrow the search down is to remove/exclude words from the search. It's a BIG pain.
Con, there are no nude shots. Not that I'm a perv looking for cheap nudie pics, that's what google image off of safe search mode is for, but I'm an author that does her own cover art and sometimes you need a NUDE shot. Bigstockphoto doesn't offer that. There is the Skinamax (you know what i'm talking about, the non-penetration adult programing on Cinamax at midnight) verison of a nude shot that doesn't show much of anything but the top of the, well, butt.
Pros. The monthly plans are SUPER cheap compared to many stock photo sites out there. For $69 you get 5 picture downloads a day for a month. That is REALLY cheap considering most stock picture sites charge upward of $35 for a medium, low-res picture.
Pro, you can get any size with that plan.
Con, If you forgot to download your pictures a day, you lose those credits.
Their one off pricing for credits isn't bad either (usually ends up being around 8 bucks for a picture).
Keep in mind, these are stock photos that can be used for bookcovers and other items but not retail items such as shirts, hats, (the list is really long), or for large marketing things like magazine prints and such.
Overall, I use the site and like the images there. Would I recommend it to others, sure as long as they aren't authors (you'll see the same stock picture on 2000 different books, it's annoying).