ShutterstockReviews 533

I thought I was signing up for a trail and accidentally signed up for an annual monthly subscription. When I contacted Customer Service to let them know, they told me that I had to pay $60 to cancel, even though I had missed my downloads for a month and had only used on month of downloads. The only reason I even knew I had an account was that I went into the details of my credit card statement. I wonder how many people have subscriptions and are paying for nothing. They definitely know how to make money. Will be looking for more civilized alternatives in the future.

I found an image on Shutterstock that I liked and selected the button for "Royalty Free" download. And was taken to the page to select how many images I wanted to PURCHASE. I liked the image and decided to go ahead with the purchase. An online chat window opened up and the assistant told me the least number of images I could purchase was two, for $29. I decided to still move forward even though I only wanted one image. Then I explained what I was doing with the image - including in a silkscreen to go on a T-shirt for a group of walkers in a walk to raise money to fight ALS (my Father has ALS) and was told I would also need to purchase an enhanced license for $199! Incredulous, I made sure the agent knew I was raising money to fight ALS and was told it didn't matter, I had to pay the enhanced license fee. No. No, I won't pay Shutterstock $199 to line their pockets. That money will go direct to the ALS Foundation instead. Shame on you, Shutterstock!

I spent hours looking for footage for my upcoming project, I check how can I use the video that I was buying with the license that they offer and I was good to go. Just as a precaution I call them to double check that I was able to use the videos and to my surprise they told me I can't use it and they don't have an option to buy another license to use this footage so I wasted a lot of money because they don't give you any refund after you download the file. Don't waste your money!

Just got "auto billed" for an annual "subscription" that I don't recall signing up for. The chat support says that I'll be getting a refund. I trust that I will. When questioned about it she told me that Shutterstock is a "subscription" business like Netflix and therefore auto billing is automatic and must be de-selected during checkout. I don't recall this option. If it was there, it was not obvious. This used to be called "negative option" and was illegal, might still be, in the U.S. They have likely figured out a way around this with small print or something.

Regardless, beware. There are other affordable and trustworthy options. I license a lot thru http://www.123rf.com/

I just wanted to update everyone about my on going issues with the worst company in the world that is New York based Shutterstock. Despite continuing complaining received a telephone call from a person called 'Henderson' who has to be one of the bonkers person I have ever spoken to. He promised the world but as usual lied through his teeth. It's clear that this idiotic organisation persists in telling even more lies to suit the owner of this shambolic business. I even sent the owner Jon Oringer a letter on the 3rd September and I'm still awaiting for a reply. So its simple lie, lie and lie again and when you report the staff of being idiots the billionaire owner could careless about the complaint as all be wants is your hard earned cash. What a sham!

They rip you off on the first month $5 off coupon and tie you for the whole year even you don't like their service. Also their website has been ON auto renewal, there's no way for you to turn off the auto renewal. You are forced to call them in the last day of the yearly contract in order to request turn off this auto renewal. Crazy! Whey we cannot turn it off on the website? They are scam and bad service. I won't use it anymore in my life.

Customer Support only aiming to charge you as much as they can before they lose you. Better look for alternative websites.