Lucky Oliver Shutting Down

dbvirago · #1 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 12:17 AM

What a shock.

Bryan, I don't know what to say. Actually, I do, but can't say it here.

Travis Manley · #2 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 12:39 AM

Im pretty surprised. I knew sales were slow, but I thought things were starting to pick up.

thesupe87 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 02:09 AM

Woah, I'm really surprised. What a shame. It was fun while it lasted. A lot of us had high hopes, but in the end - this is still a business.

This is a really tough economy right now, for any business.

pjmorley · #4 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbvirago

What a shock.

Bryan, I don't know what to say. Actually, I do, but can't say it here.

But this is the place to speak openly?

Personally, I liked LO, it was fresh and the communication with photographers was excellent, something some of the bigger more established sites should take notice of but in the end it is a big disappointment for contributors. Having said that, sales were dire on LO for most people and there have been rumblings for quite a while about lack of sales so in some ways it was predictable.

The microstock bubble has burst and this latest development will make many think twice before contributing to and supporting new sites unless they are backed by larger parent companies like 123RF and StockXpert etc. I know I won't be tempted to get involved with any new independents after this. It's not worth the time and effort to be rewarded with poor sales and eventual shut down.

I am sad to see LO go like this and some of the bigger sites could learn a lot about communication and people management from them. Reading the blog over there, no one has a bad word to say about them.... yet..... Unfortunately it takes more than that to keep afloat as LO have learned to their cost.

helix7 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 04:10 AM

I have much respect for anyone that goes out and attempts to start a business. I did it myself and was unsuccessful in my first try, and I can certainly understand the frustration that comes from seeing your hard work crumble.

That said, I think the writing was on the wall with LO for a while. I was never a contributor, mostly because I read too many negative comments about them. I'm glad I skipped it and didn't invest any time in uploading there, but I also feel for the LO folks and what they are going through now. Especially going forward. Shutting down a business isn't as easy as just shutting out the lights and locking the door behind you.

Best of luck, Bryan and co.

orchidpoet · #6 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 05:04 AM

Wish Bryan and all LO staff best of luck in their future endeavours.

RacePhoto · #7 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 05:30 AM

Sad because it was a well designed and friendly site. The kind you wanted to succeed.

Makes me say to myself, if LO can't make it, how will the monthly new startups be doing in a year. This is just what pjmorley said. The bubble has burst. I look at it as the market stabilizing. The top sites are going to become more and more dominating and the rest are going to be trying to sell "me too" with all the same photos.

I'm not joining the Site of The Month Club.

It's a waste of time and energy.

sharpshot · #8 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 07:33 AM

This is a shock. Looks like those who thought LO was going nowhere were right. At least I have had a few payouts. I am $2.80 short of the $25 payout if anyone has any tokens left.

K10436's LuckyOliver portfolio (stock photos, images, and illustrations)

jimiking · #9 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 08:57 AM

I tried to download one of your images to help get you there but the LO site won't let me use my tokens. I have 6 going spare but when I click to get an image it just transfers me to my home page.

Fotosmurf · #10 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 09:02 AM

That's a surprise indeed! I saw the note on the LO website when I logged in this morning. To be honest sales had been going down dramatically for me lately so it's not really a surprise. Apparently I am not the only one that has been happening to. Still.. it's a shame to see them go. It's was a refreshing change from some of the other sites...