Alamy Reviews 313

They use PicRights, Visual Rights Group, Copyright Agent and Pixray Fair Licensing to check if uses of an images online have permission or a license in place. Charging extortionate prices isn't enough for these clowns that they now hide behind private shell companies such as PICRIGHTS to EXTORT money from small businesses.

I’ve been charged twice for a logo I never received. I received no confirmation, no email, and yet two payments were taken from my Monzo account. Despite repeated attempts to contact the company, no one responds to emails, and phone calls result in hours on hold with no resolution. This feels like a scam. A business operating this way should not be allowed to continue.

Just ordered a "high res" image that stated it was
5328 x 3744, 57.1 MB
When I click "Download Hi Res" I get a dumbed down version that is 1.7MB instead. I'm out $40. This is fraud.
DO NOT USE.

They Gave Many Wrong Information By Their Photos.

I was represented by Alamy for many years. They sold a lot of my photos and it was a good way of supplementing my income as a photographer.

Then they started paying less and less.

Then I noticed they paid me less than $1 dollar for three images.

I wrote to them and they explained they had an offer whereby they give their clients an opportunity to buy three photos for $1 each.

I was incensed, as a lot of my photos and other images are unique. Why on earth should a big business use high resolutions of my unique photos to promote their business for less than what it would cost to buy a quarter of a packet of dog food?

I took down all my photos, closing my account with Alamy.

This year I thought of re-joining just to make a bit more income. I have come to the decision that if I had to supplement my income by picking up rubbish from the streets I would rather do that, as that is more honest and dignified, at least you know what you earning rather than someone telling you afterwards that they are paying you what they want.

If Trustpilot think this review is not genuine, please get in touch, I have all the documentation proving this experience as an Alamy contributor.

Very bad page. Slow, working like the Internet 15 yers ago ...

Emailed customer service back in Jan about a image issue. I've not heard back in over 3 weeks despite numerous emails to chase progress. It seems that their customer service is non-existent and I'm holding hope of anyone getting back to me.

I purchased an image that was listed as 57.1Mb, with options to download smaller versions. I downloaded the largest file size. I opened the download folder and was surprised to find a file of 1.3Mb.

I wrote to Alamy customer service requesting the file size listed for the product and received the following response:
When you download the image from us it's a ""compressed"" jpeg. This is so that you can download the file quickly.

The way to bring your image up to the full advertised size is by opening it in any image editing software (Such as Photoshop). You will then need to save or export it as a TIFF file. This will not change the quality at all.

This is a ridiculous response.

They falsely advertise and describe their products.

Terrible company. I accidentally used an image I had downloaded which I had thought was licensed. Despite taking it down immediately, they wanted to charge me £450. The initial email was rude and threatening. The charge clearly stated that this amount was comprised of services rendered and for 'past license use', but on receiving the invoice there was no VAT charged (despite them being VAT registered). Alamy then told me VAT was not chargeable as this was a 'settlement fee' - which is completely at odds with their breakdown of the work. Reported to HMRC and now deleting my account. Will NEVER use this company again.

Alamy.com steals your images from Facebook and personal websites to copy, use, and are sell, just noticed one of my pieces of artwork I have listed for sale on my All Rights Reserved website, on their site, pretty ignorant practice

I bought a print from Alamy expecting a high quality print for the money that I paid. What I got was a 2nd rate poor quality print that was made on a 2nd rate poor quality printer. Very disappointed.

For the first time ever, I decided to treat myself to a 5-pack of photos, supposedly all of a particular actor. After purchase, I realised that 4 of them were of a similar-looking actor, not the one I thought I’d been buying photos of. Alamy accepted that they’d mis-sold the items and that a refund would be made. So far so good.
After a lot of emailing back & forward, I eventually found out that ‘refund’ in Alamy-speak means ‘credit’. Their (pleasant) customer service staff informed me that I had to use it to purchase other photos.
I don’t want other photos but they won’t budge. Buyer beware!

They are awful! Do not give your credit card information to these crooks or make a purchase from them. They charged double for an image I already purchased. When trying to access the one I purchased the first time I had to purchase again because it wasn't showing up. Told by their customer service that their policy does NOT allow for refunds.

Worst customer service I've ever encountered. I had a payment problem while buying photos from them. Basically, Alamy received my money but they hadn't given me access to purchased pictures. I supplied Alamy with countless emails explaining my case and giving them neccessary information in order to resolve the issue. Instead of helpful attitude, I was met with disregard and empty promises. They would ignore me for a month until I've sent them an email reminding them of my case. I've felt like I was the only one trying to solve my problem. Alamy did nothing. At last, they told me to figure it out myself. After months of correspondence I've realised they're trying to dismiss me so that they don't have to give me back my money. I've finally given up on the 150 euros they owe me. I can't attach order confirmation number BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY HADN'T SENT ME ANY ORDER CONFIRMATION NOR GIVEN ME THE FILES I'VE PURCHASED! AND THEY STILL HAVE MY MONEY

As a contributor, I have found Alamy very efficient, highly responsive to communications, and consistently high on quality standards.

I downloaded images in good faith from the Alamy website to use in website blogs for our not-for-profit CIC. I thought I had complied with the correct terms for website use, paying £59.95. I would never have knowingly used the images if I had thought they were not covered by the license. The terms & conditions on the Alamy website have subsequently been amended which adds to the confusion. After 1 year, I received a fine of over £400 with no prior warning. We may have made a mistake, and I’m open to adjusting the license if necessary. However, after numerous email exchanges with four individuals at both Visual Rights Group and Alamy, it really feels like sharp practice. I have paid the fine, but feel very disturbed by the whole affair.

They steal pictures of your home and property and sell them for profit and ignore you when you ask them to take it down.

This company is so unethical. I canceled order literally 10 seconds after I realized it was just a print of a lantern. I emailed them and the still putting the order through and claim it’s their policy. $166 dollars for lantern prints. How ridiculous!!!

As a contributor to Alamy, I can say that it treats its contributors well and provides good, friendly and efficient service.

I purchased a license in good faith on their website to use it on a client’s website (we are a web design agency). I followed the process and paid honestly. At no point was I given a choice of license, or at least I don’t recall. Today, I received a fine of over 400 euros without prior warning. I am willing to acknowledge that I may have made a mistake, and I’m open to adjusting the license if necessary. However, after 15 email exchanges, it’s clear that their only concern is the fine. Avoid them, as this procedure feels abusive, if not extortionate.