Shutterstock

Shutterstock is the worst. They overcharge for everything then won't let you cancel without grabbing more money from you. I accidentally signed up for a year membership once. I figured it out less than an hour later and asked them to cancel and switch my purchase to a per image charge since I only needed one image. We went back and forth for days and they refused to something as simple as a click of a button. I know, it's that simple because I run a business. Total asses.

They trick you with language when signing up. They don't explain that "annual " is a locked in 12 month period. They make it sound like monthly. But when you go to cancel they hit you with fees. Also, many of the videos and images require payment after the membership. Stay away from these guys!

The quality of images drastically reduced over the past 10 years. Now they are accepting all kind of images, and often images bought from their website are out of focus, grainy or shaky. Content found on shutterstock is subject of laughter on the web. Strongly recommend to avoid shutterstock and look for other options when buying images.

Bought an enhanced license for five images. Nowhere did I read anything about automatic renewal. I even contacted the company and asked about purchasing five enhanced-license images. I was told how to do this, but never was anything about automatic renewal mentioned. Bought the license. Downloaded the images. Was immediately charged for another five images at $449.00. Don't need another five images! Contacted them and was told they could not refund me for the automatic renewal fee. Contacted PayPal and am currently in negotiations. Meanwhile, my Shutterstock account was suspended, even though I have a separate standard license with more downloads available. Wish I had checked the rating before dealing with this company. Bad, bad, bad decision. Do not make the same mistake I did.

I use Shutterstock on occasion, but only buy credits vs. a subscription. I avoid subscriptions as often as I can because they appeal to your sense of a good deal/bargain, but rarely pan out to the extent you originally envisioned.

My issue with Shutterstock is that they default to auto-renew credits rather than default to not auto-renew. The vast majority of clients will purchase credits based on their current needs. If customers wanted more, they will buy more, and do not need Shutterstock to "conveniently" automatically buy more credits. It's like having a drink at the bar and the bartender automatically filling your glass when you finished because you have a tab open. Yeah, it's nice to have that option, but, no I want you to always ask before spending my money.

Seeing all the overwhelmingly bad reviews really confirms how little Shutterstock values customer experience.

When I joined up as a contributor, they were paying 25 cents (yes, 25 cents) per subscription download.
Payment does not happen until reaching $35.
So I knew it would take two or three years of sales to get somewhere.
Since joining, Shutterstock reduces the payment from 25 cents to 10 cents.
This means it will take even longer to get to $35.
I suppose one day they could reduce the payment to $0.01 per download, which means it'll take ten times longer than now to reach $35.
In the meantime they are holding on to the $23 I have accumulated. Nice for them.

As for contributing images, their process is totally inconsistent. I have submitted images, had them approved, later deleted them, and then resubmitted them to then have them rejected for the most flimsy reasons.

Avoid Shutterstock if you can. It's a scam.

I've used shutterstock for a couple of years now and built up a library of a thousand or so images. Those of you using shutterstock for occasional images will have some idea of how much that has cost.

However some months ago they reported software issues. I cant download the images i've paid for. It's an issue their end, and when you speak to support they always tell you it will be sorted it 48 hrs and that there is nothing more they can do. I assume it's scripted as numerous support staff have told me exactly the same thing over recent months.

I've given shutterstock a one star review because they are expensive and it's inexcusable to charge a lot of money for images then not provide them due to an IT issue their end - and to add insult to injury not fix that issue months down the road. Shame on you shutterstock.

They charged me twice on buying a $49 plan, I have informed about this to them, but these guys dont care at all. Waste of $100 bucks from this rubbish. I mean why would you not refund me my money back, Instead of legitimate selling your plans, why the F*ck you would rob twice the amount!

I signed up for the free trial. They did not send an email reminder to cancel my subscription, just an email FIVE months later saying thanks for your recent purchase.

I'm trying to cancel now and they're saying that I need to pay $100 + taxes to cancel, since the yearly subscription was discounted. What a set of crooks! They are definitely not good and honest business people and I'm surprised that they've been in business so long. God help these immoral people!

I created an account that gave me a free trial to download 10 free images. I downloaded three images. The next day I tried to log in and got this message: "This account has been suspended for security reasons." I contacted support. They replied: "Your account has been flagged by our system for suspicious activity, which has been reviewed and confirmed by our security analysts. As a result, your Shutterstock account has been terminated and will not be reinstated. Please consider this matter closed, as for security reasons no additional information can be provided." This is absolutely REDICULOUS! I did NOTHING wrong! I sent them a picture of my driver's license, passport, birth certificate, just to show them that I am a good human being and have no idea why my account was flagged. They responded that their decision is final and they won't give me more information. I feel humiliated, and wish there were laws about this.

Its extremely hard to cancel the plan, communication is poor, there is literally no button to cancel the plan, you have to contact their staff. Its too pricey and huge disappointment overall. Would not recommend to anyone, do not sign up for annual plan - its definitely not worth the money and the way they structured the subscription feels like I have been tricked into paying for something that I don't want anymore. In order to cancel I have to pay a lot more money. I am so angry.

Very disappointed in Shutterstock for turning auto renewal on after my last download, without my consent. There was no email receipt indicating that a transaction had taken place, simply a charge on my card. Auto renewal should never be the default unless requested. I now must wait for a refund after having to pay the unauthorized amount on my card. Even more distressing are the currency fees charged in the process. Still waiting for a manager to get back to me in regards to this complaint.

What kind of a business model is this? Sneaking in an auto-renewal set up when I'm making my purchase. No notification, nothing. Next year I get charged a massive bill, again no email notification to say my account has been renewed. I saw the transaction on my bank account and called customer service who say 'Shutterstock are not required to notify customers through email for renewals;! Had to throw a massive fit to get my refund back. I'm not using their service again. This is STEALING!

These guys are totally unethical in the way they conduct their business. They turn on the Auto renewal button the time you register. Normally people would not pay attention to such things.
Most of the companies are fair enough to refund your money when you call their customer care. Shutterstock sucks. The staffs are rude. It's a total rip off. Stay away from these unethical guys.