Photobucket now charges for embedding images

[JohnM]

OK, cheers mydears. I have some pics to post, and I've put Mike and Doug's instructions onto onscreen Stikkynotes ... so hopefully if I don't get called away (Highly likely) there could be a pic or two appearing soon.

I did try to use the onsite gallery method when I first joined, but I didn't have a lot of luck (OK I know I'm a thick ex-Grunt), and Photobucket was so easy to use. So I've just stuck with that over the years. So much so I was even using it as my main photo store instead of storing them elsewhere. There was a definite 'Phew' when the email telling me my 'Bucket' file was ready to download. So they are all now plonked into DropBox and a Portable HDD, as well as the .zip file from PB still being on my desktop.

I must say that I was very pleased with the service received from PB, and I would have willingly stayed with them if the price had been reasonable, But £40 a month is a bit steep for a hobby commitment, and I'm not looking at going back into business any time soon. Retired on adequate pensions suits me just fine. Not too keen on the Crippled bit though.

[airdave]

Originally Posted by JohnM

I must say that I was very pleased with the service received from PB, and I would have willingly stayed with them if the price had been reasonable, But £40 a month is a bit steep for a hobby commitment, and I'm not looking at going back into business any time soon. Retired on adequate pensions suits me just fine. Not too keen on the Crippled bit though.

absolutely agreed!
I have been paying photobucket for their most basic plan,
just to guaranty my storage room (got way more than I need)
and to cover bandwidth costs.
And I would have considered a small increase to keep things going.
But this is just extortion to the extreme.

Just a reminder to all those who are scrambling to download their photos...
your photos aren't going anywhere, at least not yet.
Not until photobucket closes down completely.
You will have plenty of time to save your photos.
There is no great panic (I don't think).

I have downloaded only one folder of 11 photos.
(My Monkey file! lol because these are internet collected images)
Everything else (my own photos) I still have all the originals stored on my computer.
I only ever uploaded edited versions to photobucket and those I can survive without.
Actually..even the edited versions, I still have most of them.


Setting up my imageshack account right now...all new uploads will be going there.

[Kevin WS]

You are lucky you have escaped the dreaded logo!!!!

I wonder if there is any legal recourse for site operators? I looked at a postage stamp site and most of the posts there by users are now garbage. It is a commercial traditional trading site and has now been wrecked....

[JohnM]

OK here goes again ...



OK, I think I might have sussed it. Only time will tell.

Now to investigate Image Shack. I remember way back that one was on the list to try, but I hit Photobucket first and was happy with that.

[airdave]

I decided to submit an inquiry to photobucket.
At first I didn't want to...I didn't want to bring any attention to my account.
Because, unlike most of you, my photos are still visible and have not been blocked.

I don't know why this is.
I do have a paid subscription with photobucket, but its a very basic plan.
Maybe my name is far enough down the list, that my account has not been dealt with yet?

Problem is, I figure at some point I will have no option but to switch to a different image host since I cannot afford the $400 a year subscription.

I've already considered imageshack and their basic subscription cost.

But, do I jump ship now? or wait out time left left on my paid account?
My account is good until April of next year, and if they (photobucket) don't restrict my account
I would like to get my money's worth.
I also don't want to spend money on a new account until I really have to.

In this regard I finally decided to submit a Help request to photobucket
and I sent them this message:

I'm sure you've already received enough complaints regarding your recent actions, so I won't remind you how unfair and self-destructive they are.
What I would like to know is why I can still see my images on the forums and websites I have posted on over the last 10 years, when so many of my friends have had their images blocked.
And how long will this stay as it is?
Unfortunately for me it seems, I just recently renewed my photobucket subscription (until April of 2018).
I need to know if my account will operate as usual until that time, or have I wasted my money?
Let me add that most of your subscribers would have tolerated a small subscription rate increase to keep things working,
but the required jump to "Pro" plan smells of greed and extortion.

This will either cause them to shut down my photo links or...

(Just for fun) I'll let you know what happens.

[Rubenandres77]

Reading some of the comments in their blog, looks like some
phobucket users who have paid the ransom are still unable
to get their images to work.
Photobucket System and Website Status Updates - Photobucket

Hard to tell if those comments are true, or false.
But given the character of the company, it would not be surprise.

[Kevin WS]

Some interesting comments. Most look fairly genuine...

[mbauer]

Hi Dave,

Wondering if it might be a breach of contract for them to shut you down. Meaning you did pay for a year's worth of services. If they change it now, it would clearly be a case of extortion.

Mike

[airdave]

The plan I am on (Plus20) isnt on the menu anymore.
And they have retained the rights to change plans and costs.
Not sure you can say much about implementing the restriction on 3rd party linking.
So, they don't need to do anything to my account.
I'm just assuming that me bringing attention to my subscription might speed up the process
of getting my photos blocked along with everyone else. lol

Still nothing yet.

[at6]

If you've noticed, on the home page they refer to the photos as "their" archive. I take it to mean that they consider your pictures to be their "property" now. Correct me if I am wrong in that assessment.