What Kind Of Scam Is This? Now I Have To Pay To Be A Member?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
April 3, 2009 3:43am CST
One of the first photo type websites I joined up with to display some of my photos was a place called BetterPhoto.com....Membership for Basic was one hundred percent FREE provided you only uploaded a few photos. I only uploaded about twelve..yup, only twelve out of all my thousands of photos.
Well I just got an email NOW that my Basic membership will terminate as of TODAY..That my three month trial membership ends...like huh? 
Three month trial membership? What trial membership? I've been a member there for two years. Anyway, it says in order to continue my basic membership I now need to renew...at $49.00 a year. Okay maybe $49.00 doesn't sound exorbitant, but being on SSI benefits like no way ...so what kind of friggin scam is this when I've been a member for two years for free? It claims too that with membership one can display up to 1,000 photos as opposed to the 30 that had been originally allowed.
So many of us photographers or artists display some of our work on places that are free...the idea to give us exposure for our work and maybe peek the interest of some publishing media company that views our work who might take an interest and can use our art/photo work for illustrative uses for books, magazines, whatever. Is this going to be a new trend? That is where websites that allow us to display our work previously for free will now ask for money? Needless to say I just deleted my account there...I'm sorry I think this is two-faced...if a website says one can display one's artist work for free....then it should be that...FREE and without a limited time frame...like I said I was a member there for two years...for free with only a few photos there.
Anyone else had weird crap crop up like this?
Three month trial membership? What trial membership? I've been a member there for two years. Anyway, it says in order to continue my basic membership I now need to renew...at $49.00 a year. Okay maybe $49.00 doesn't sound exorbitant, but being on SSI benefits like no way ...so what kind of friggin scam is this when I've been a member for two years for free? It claims too that with membership one can display up to 1,000 photos as opposed to the 30 that had been originally allowed.
So many of us photographers or artists display some of our work on places that are free...the idea to give us exposure for our work and maybe peek the interest of some publishing media company that views our work who might take an interest and can use our art/photo work for illustrative uses for books, magazines, whatever. Is this going to be a new trend? That is where websites that allow us to display our work previously for free will now ask for money? Needless to say I just deleted my account there...I'm sorry I think this is two-faced...if a website says one can display one's artist work for free....then it should be that...FREE and without a limited time frame...like I said I was a member there for two years...for free with only a few photos there.
Anyone else had weird crap crop up like this?7 people like this
21 responses
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I do believe that I would have to write to admin and let them know that you have been a member as long as you have for free with all details. Let them know of the letter you have received. I'd also ask them is this site a scam or what? Are they getting people to come in under false pretenses?
I'd also ask if they sent you the email? There are many emails going around from others claiming to be part of the company and asking for money for you to remain a member. You need to check into this. Let them know your concerns.
2 people like this
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I'm sorry to hear this hon. I bet they are going to get alot og complaints. I need to go dear. I just got back from the hospital. I had to go to the er the other day. I' having trouble breathing and with my blood pressure and heart rate. I hope to be back soon. take care dear.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
7 Apr 09
I'm sorry to hear you haven't been well. Hope you're feeling better by now.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I did check into it, and went directly to the site itself and it does say about the membership fees. And yes, did complain to them and did mention about being a member for such a long time without needing to pay. Haven't heard anything yet. I bet they're going to get a lot of complaints
1 person likes this
@eichs1 (1934)
• Philippines
3 Apr 09
I know the feeling bur aren't we supposed to be grateful still that you were able to use the site for free for two years?
It looks like the site is not generating enough cash to pay for its continued existence in its previous system. Unfortunately, management sees and opted to charge for membership fee to keep the site on-line.
2 people like this
@eichs1 (1934)
• Philippines
4 Apr 09
Yes, you are right. If a site says it is free to join them, then anyone should not be paying anything when they join. Otherwise, it's nothing but crap. The lack of notice to old members about the changes also show that the site is managed by a kid.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I am leery of joining new sites. Once they get you into the site they turn about and put it to ya. I remember being on a particular site and was active for about 3 years. There was talk about charging the members and the members thought it was only rumor. Then rumor turned into truth. I often wonder how many of the old members are still members today.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Apr 09
What's really unfair is that they seemed to spring this membership out of the blue. I never got a prior email notice about their changing policies, which really isn't fair, is it?
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Apr 09
That is a concern because if they have changed it to a paying site the current members should not have to pay!!! I was a member of a writing site, I'm having trouble recalling the name now, and I joined there for free and when they started charging a membership fee the existing members weren't expected to pay and that is how it should be.
Is it the Better Business Bureau that you can report this kind of thing to?
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Someone else mentioned about the BBB. I've complained to the BBB before about different issues. Let's put it this way, perhaps I should complain about the BBB to the BBB since in the past the response would be they don't handle the particular issue I was complaining about
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Apr 09
UH--think you could give a better answer??
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
4 Apr 09
If the site says it is free for basic members, it should remain free and there should be no trial membership. Now had it said from the beginning that you can have a free basic membership for fifteen days or whatever, that the next membership level is for so much, and so on. And there is a restriction on what free members can post, then you would have no leg to stand on.
I belong to a writing site and one has to pay a fee for writing on it, but that was specified from the beginning.
There is the trouble when the website changes owners though. Then the new owner can make new rules. That did not happen did it?
Oh with wanting to post for free, with copyright laws, are you not afraid of someone stealing and claiming your photography as his (or her) own?
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I have no idea if ownership of that site changed hands. I have my copyright notice directly on my photos, so no chance of someone stealing my photos..
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
7 Apr 09
Nothing like that has happened to me so far, but I don't put up pictures a lot of places, I just like to show off my kitties, here and on gather and thats about it. I do pay for free email. I have a paid hotmail account so I have a few extra benefits there but its like $20 a year to do that or something, there are rumors that facebook may charge soon, that would be bad--I guess we will see what happens.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
7 Apr 09
LOL--yup, I noticed all your kitty photos at gather
Really? I didn't know that Facebook might start charging, but then I don't have any photos posted there. I do have a paid photo website..$59.95 a year which really isn't too bad considering some web-hosts for photographers can be several hundred dollars.
Really? I didn't know that Facebook might start charging, but then I don't have any photos posted there. I do have a paid photo website..$59.95 a year which really isn't too bad considering some web-hosts for photographers can be several hundred dollars.1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47308)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
3 Apr 09
I hope you didn't "just" delete your account. The pyewacket I know would also have sent off a scathing email to the site owner.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Yes I did delete my account. The email to me said my membership would end today and if I didn't pay the membership fee, my account would be deleted anyway...and yup, did write to them
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
3 Apr 09
i've noticed a lot are switching to pay.
they get more members than they expect,and need to upgrade their servers-and the older members who have been there since the beginning get screwed,because now it's a pay service.they should at least let senior members slide.that's more fair.
or at least make a tier service,for those who need bigger portfolios to pay for the expanded service.
it definitely sucks.i hate places that change their rules after you join.
i keep expecting photobucket to do it.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
4 Apr 09
i do too.they're pretty generous about host space.
it's not even so much the pay,but the aggrevation of having to start over that
bites me.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Oh gosh, I hope Photobucket doesn't pull this and start charging
1 person likes this
@Dasari100 (3791)
• Anantapur, India
4 Apr 09
It is bad experience so it should not be happend in your life so we expect some good days in future most of the people do frauds like this so they will tell us in the begining otherway.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I'm just wondering why they decided to change their policies out of the blue like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Apr 09
No but that sucks. I have my photos over on Multiply, which is unlimited photos and totally free. They do have an upgrade option but it is an OPTION. If they were to do this to me, it would break my pore lil heart. I use that site to keep up with my family...
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
8 Apr 09
That's what they should continue to do at BetterPhoto...have an option for a paid membership for those who want to post a lot of photos at their site.
1 person likes this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
3 Apr 09
It was probably somewhere in the small print that you missed. I have found that out the hard way, too. Always read the fine print, FAQ or TOS.
Sharepic is a good place. If you want, I have a referral link but if not, just go there.
I also use Flickr.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Apr 09
No I don't think there was ever any mention about paying to be at that site, and it seems very odd that I NEVER got any prior emails mentioning any new changes about membership and having to pay. I think the email I got was some kind of standard email sent out to everyone since I never signed up for a three MONTH trial membership when I've been there two years...like huh?
I never was interested in Sharepic. I didn't like the idea that someone could download one's pictures without authorization...that site pretty much works like the microstock photo sites...and DON'T get me going about those. The idea is one can download one's pics for a buck or two, and then one can use that photo as many times as they want without further monetary compensation to the photographer under Royalty Free licensing. What does the photographer get? About 25 cents...nope. Why should I do that, when under Rights Managed licensing I can get about $100 per photo?
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
4 Apr 09
I never heard of it. It is dumb and a bait and switch, for sure.
1 person likes this
@blackcatbetty (555)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Unforchantly , why I only stick to facebook and myspace , well and mylot. It tough to be an inspiring artist when you have no outlets , really, for your visions. Scams are everywhere , and the fine print seems to get finer. I wish you the best of luck with what you love to do and remember , even through all the seaweed , never give up.
Much love
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
3 Apr 09
It is not a matter of them trying to scam you. They have to pay for the domain name and usesage each year, they have to buy server space so you can post. they have to have very good system security because photos have many lines of code that can hide all sorts of malware. Then there is the time policing the site to prevent miss use of it and to protect the legit users. I have looked into a web page and found that what i want would cost be a couple of hundred dollars a year. Now to get bigger and have other people post would cost a small fortune. There is just so much goodness one person can afford to pay out.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I actually do have a "professional" type of photo website and yes I do pay for it yearly but that is to be expected since it outrightly has three different payments options..the more you pay of course, the more "goodies" one can get as far as service
bobmnu....yup I'm aware of some of the more "premium" type photo webhosts and they do cost a small fortune. The one I belong to, smugmug one can get a fairly decent photo website for only $59.95 a year which is fairly reasonable
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
4 Apr 09
This is how it works. Every site starts for free because they want to get people on the board. Later on free is no longer free, because they have calculators at home and they start counting...(!!!) how much will they earn if the site is for pay...(greed)
At least long time members supposed to have free access for loyalty and page reloads.
HUGS
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Apr 09
I did email them to find out why all of a sudden the changed "rules"....it wasn't like I had thousands of photos uploaded with them
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
3 Apr 09
yup, sorry to say kodak is doing the same thing. and i heard alot of websites are doing it. I signed up with kodak when yahoo closed and was promised free storage of my photos and now my photos are being deleted 3 years later because I havent made a required purchase under thier new terms of service.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I got a notice from Kodak too, but it didn't affect me since I never uploaded any photos there. Wow they just deleted the photos? Without asking your permission? How nice..NOT
@morethanamolehill (1586)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Actually BetterPhoto is a great site geared more towards the Professional Photog. They have probably advanced a lot in the last two years. they offer pro grade websites for $350 a year. I have a storefront on PhotoWorks.com ,they have free webspace to post your work where people can order prints and you set the price. They handle everything, money, printing, shipping, and then they deduct their costs and send you the difference. (Actually it goes into your PayPal account). You can also make greeting cards and books and other stuff with your pictures. There is a link to my storefront on my profile page, check it out. It's not an affiliate link so this is Not a paid endorsement.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Well I've been in the photo biz since 1980 and have had numerous photos published at minimum $100 per photo...so yeah, kinda think of myself as a pro photographer..LOL. I do have my own photo website at smugmug that I do pay yearly for. It's just the principle of the thing as far as BetterPhoto, since basic membership was free as long as one posted under 30 photos
I'll check out PhotoWorks, but it sounds similar to what I have over at Lulu and CafePress....and so far not a nibble of buyers....LOL The problem as I see it...everyone is trying to do the same thing and sell their work
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
3 Apr 09
Hi pye,
i can't understand why they change after two years of you having your photos on there, that is disgusting and looking more like a scam site, I haven't any photos to up anywhere so I don't have a problem, but I hope you can find another site that don't charge for it.
Bright Blessings.
Tamara
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Apr 09
I could understand if I had uploaded a lot of photos there but I didn't. I do have a photo website and yes that one I do pay for to make it look more "professional"
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Pye you might want to look in their terms of service. They might have decided to start charging people. Some sites can do that without telling you about it which is why they say to check back on those terms continuously.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I think what they should have done was to at least notify people of any changes in TOS instead out of the blue like this
@goutham14391 (23)
• India
4 Apr 09
That site really sucks.. its so weird..being a two year member and again paying for membership..
1 person likes this
