Re: What's up with Photopoint?

[M Poulos]

I will be conntacting my credit card company to try and stop payment as I believe that Photopoint has gone belly up. Zing.com is also gone out of business as per the CEO's letter on their site. .Coms are failing here in Silicon Valley by the dozens. "For lease" signs are everywhere! MP

 

[ometofu]

oh craps...

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

how the hell I'm to get the membership back, I'm one of the few the pay their services the first day.....

It has been about two days since I was able to access Photopoint's
site. However, it has been over a week since I could enter their
Market Place to order pictures. I kept receiving a message stating
that the site was Under Maintenance. When I questioned when it was
expected to be back on-line, Photopoint's response was that "the
Market Place was under maintenace". Not much help!

After succumbing to their access fee, I hope they have not closed
their doors!

Larry

 

[Bill Finch]

It has been about two days since I was able to access Photopoint's
site. However, it has been over a week since I could enter their
Market Place to order pictures. I kept receiving a message stating
that the site was Under Maintenance. When I questioned when it was
expected to be back on-line, Photopoint's response was that "the
Market Place was under maintenace". Not much help!

After succumbing to their access fee, I hope they have not closed
their doors!

Larry

 

[Bill Finch]

If PhotoPoint is out of business, I wonder if there's another site on the Web offering a similar service we can trust? Hopefully, they will be up soon, but it seems strange that paying customers have not received any email notice at all!

Bill

It has been about two days since I was able to access Photopoint's
site. However, it has been over a week since I could enter their
Market Place to order pictures. I kept receiving a message stating
that the site was Under Maintenance. When I questioned when it was
expected to be back on-line, Photopoint's response was that "the
Market Place was under maintenace". Not much help!

After succumbing to their access fee, I hope they have not closed
their doors!

Larry

 

[Mike Jones]

I use phototime.com, so far free and a great album program for free.

Mike

It has been about two days since I was able to access Photopoint's
site. However, it has been over a week since I could enter their
Market Place to order pictures. I kept receiving a message stating
that the site was Under Maintenance. When I questioned when it was
expected to be back on-line, Photopoint's response was that "the
Market Place was under maintenace". Not much help!

After succumbing to their access fee, I hope they have not closed
their doors!

Larry

 

[Frank Sinkavich]

Bill

It has been about two days since I was able to access Photopoint's
site. However, it has been over a week since I could enter their
Market Place to order pictures. I kept receiving a message stating
that the site was Under Maintenance. When I questioned when it was
expected to be back on-line, Photopoint's response was that "the
Market Place was under maintenace". Not much help!

After succumbing to their access fee, I hope they have not closed
their doors!

Larry

One would think that if Photopoint is really having technical problems they would notify the net press organizations to get the word out that they have not gone out of business. I hate to say it but it looks more and more like Photopoint is gone...

Frank

 

[John Burns]

I went to FotoTime when PhotoPoint started charging. I'm happy with it as well. The two key words in your post are "so far".

John

Mike

It has been about two days since I was able to access Photopoint's
site. However, it has been over a week since I could enter their
Market Place to order pictures. I kept receiving a message stating
that the site was Under Maintenance. When I questioned when it was
expected to be back on-line, Photopoint's response was that "the
Market Place was under maintenace". Not much help!

After succumbing to their access fee, I hope they have not closed
their doors!

Larry

 

[Ron Garmany]

I hate to say it, but It's looking more and more like Photopoint is
history.

Jim C.

I know the following article is a little old...But from the way this reads, PhotoPoint is the "LEADER" in online image servicing!! Not just to us individuals...But a lot of other companies. Read some of the companies they have backing them, so are the REALLY having financial difficulties??? I guess, only time will tell!!

REG

InfoSpace to Enhance Wireless and Broadband Platforms With New Photo-Sharing Technology Through Agreement With PhotoPoint
Wednesday, May 30, 2001 08:30 AM

PhotoPoint's Photo-Sharing Technology Enables InfoSpace to Continue to Build Out Multimedia Features in Its Wireless and Broadband Platforms and Allows Consumers to Share Photos With Others Across Devices

BELLEVUE, Wash. and SAN FRANCISCO, May 30 PRNewswire -- InfoSpace, Inc. (Nasdaq: INSP, news, msgs), a leading provider of the platform and applications that enable partners to deliver consumer and commerce services across the Internet to any device over current and next-generation networks, today announced the planned addition of a new multimedia application -- photo-sharing -- to its wireless and broadband platforms. Under the agreement with PhotoPoint Corp., the No. 1 online photo company, InfoSpace will enhance its wireless and broadband platforms by integrating a multimedia service that enables consumers to share photos across Internet-enabled devices with friends, family and colleagues.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000420/INFOLOGO )

InfoSpace plans to develop and offer its own photo sharing service, which will be integrated into its platform and distributed to wireless, broadband and narrowband partners by using PhotoPoint's photo-sharing technology.

"PhotoPoint has developed the most popular photo-sharing technology on the Web today," said Ed Bernstein, CEO of PhotoPoint Corp. "This agreement with InfoSpace further evidences that fact, and we look forward to assisting them in their photo-sharing endeavor through the deployment of our technology."

"The rapid adoption of high speed access services has created significant demand for multimedia services and applications. Sharing photos with others via the Internet is a powerful technology that has been embraced by millions of consumers," said Michael Riccio, InfoSpace executive vice president, broadband. "Our alliance with PhotoPoint allows InfoSpace to provide partners with a compelling service for distribution across multiple devices, including the PC, TV and wireless."

About PhotoPoint Corporation

Launched in 1998 and headquartered in San Francisco, PhotoPoint (www.photopoint.com) is the No. 1 online photo company, providing business, event and consumer services. PhotoPoint builds online photo services for businesses and also operates PhotoPoint.com, the world's most popular photo site for consumers, according to netScore, Media Metrix and Nielsen/ NetRatings. PhotoPoint.com's 1.6 million members have uploaded more than 38 million photographs to date, adding up to 100,000 new photos each day. In addition, PhotoPoint is a leading provider of event photography services through its JoePix division. PhotoPoint is backed by investments from Sun Microsystems, Epson America, US Venture Partners, SOFTBANK and Entertainment Media Ventures.

About InfoSpace, Inc.

InfoSpace, Inc. provides an integrated technology platform and suite of applications that enable partners to deliver consumer and commerce services across the Internet to any device over current and next-generation wireless, broadband and narrowband networks. The Company's array of products includes consumer services, such as communication, entertainment, gaming and voice applications, as well as commerce services, including payments, promotions and shopping. Together, the InfoSpace platform and applications comprise a highly flexible and scalable end-to-end solution that can be rapidly deployed under a partner's brand. InfoSpace's partners and affiliates include more than 3,200 Web sites and companies worldwide, including Verizon, AT&T Wireless, Cingular Wireless, Virgin Mobile, Intel, Lucent, Nortel, AOL, Microsoft, Lycos, National Discount Brokers and Bloomberg, among others.

This release contains forward-looking statements relating to the development of InfoSpace, Inc.'s products and services and future operating results, including statements regarding the Company's agreement with PhotoPoint Corporation, that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. The words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could affect the Company's actual results include growth rates within the Company's respective business areas, the progress and costs of the development of our products and services and the timing of market acceptance of those products and services. A more detailed description of certain factors that could affect actual results include, but are not limited to, those discussed in InfoSpace's Annual Report on Form 10-K, in the section entitled "Factors Affecting InfoSpace's Operating Results, Business Prospects and Market Price of Stock." Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. InfoSpace undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

[Ron Smith52433]

All may yet be well with PhotoPoint!

Michael R. Tomkins, with The Imaging Resource, at:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

ireports he has intermittently gotten through to a PhotoPoint "main entrance page."

Perhaps they really DO only have "technical difficulties." Either way, they certainly have MISERABLE PR people! I wish that they would make SOME KIND of public statement, to dispel all the rumors!

 

[Ron Smith52433]

See:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

All may yet be well with PhotoPoint!

Michael R. Tomkins, with The Imaging Resource, at:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

ireports he has intermittently gotten through to a PhotoPoint "main
entrance page."

Perhaps they really DO only have "technical difficulties." Either
way, they certainly have MISERABLE PR people! I wish that they
would make SOME KIND of public statement, to dispel all the rumors!

 

[Joe Hawblitzel]

At this point, after many days of silence, it makes no difference whether they "come back" or not. No one will ever trust them. No one will send them money. Their failure to even post a temporary page explaining the situation bespeaks the fact they have no interest in the consumer. At first I hoped they would come back. Now I could care less.

Joe Hawblitzel

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

All may yet be well with PhotoPoint!

Michael R. Tomkins, with The Imaging Resource, at:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

ireports he has intermittently gotten through to a PhotoPoint "main
entrance page."

Perhaps they really DO only have "technical difficulties." Either
way, they certainly have MISERABLE PR people! I wish that they
would make SOME KIND of public statement, to dispel all the rumors!

 

[lpage #37985]

Agreed! It was a gutsy move for Photopoint to move to fee based service when everyone else was offering it for free. I decided to pay their fee for two reasons: the hope that they would stay in business longer than anyone else, plus with their extra income that they would be able to offer unique services to their members.

As it stands, it is unknown if they are still in business and they have not expanded any of their services. Photopoint has dug itself a deep hole with their nonexistant customer service. Even if the blackout is due to techincal problem, I highly doubt I will renew my membership next year, or even continue to use their service.

I signed up for Foto Time this evening. If I like it, I will stick with them.

Larry

Joe Hawblitzel

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

All may yet be well with PhotoPoint!

Michael R. Tomkins, with The Imaging Resource, at:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

ireports he has intermittently gotten through to a PhotoPoint "main
entrance page."

Perhaps they really DO only have "technical difficulties." Either
way, they certainly have MISERABLE PR people! I wish that they
would make SOME KIND of public statement, to dispel all the rumors!

 

[John Burns]

Yep. Stick a fork in them they are done. Also they have effectivly ended the option of sites charging for photo storage. After this debacle when the next site announces they are going to begin charging there won't be a user left within a week. So it now boils down to if they can't make it with free storage they won't make it at all. I'm afraid most, and possibly all, won't make it at all.

John

Joe Hawblitzel

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

All may yet be well with PhotoPoint!

Michael R. Tomkins, with The Imaging Resource, at:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

ireports he has intermittently gotten through to a PhotoPoint "main
entrance page."

Perhaps they really DO only have "technical difficulties." Either
way, they certainly have MISERABLE PR people! I wish that they
would make SOME KIND of public statement, to dispel all the rumors!

 

[Jim C.]

$20, I think I only paid $9.95.
what happened on your end?

Jim C.

Gene,

What I think happened was that they charged a fee in order to pay
their bills that were previously outstanding. In other words,
premeditated fraud. If they become permanently offline, then this
statement will stick. If not, I will be much happier.

Of course, Photopoint is by no means alone in doing this. Several
internet-born companies do this as well. Cyberrebate.com comes to
mind. Quite a pathetic bunch of losers.

Now, I'm crossing my fingers with my credit card company if I can
get back my $20.

Jason Busch

 

[Joe Hawblitzel]

John,

It's sad isn't it, but we all lost on this one. I was willing to pay a reasonable amount for online storage -- and I did pay it. But if online sites really cannot make it without without charging, then there will be no viable online sites because no consumer will be willing to take a risk after this. Photopoint has gone down only six weeks after charging our credit cards. Their return won't matter much. As you say, they are done.

Joe H

John

Joe Hawblitzel

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

All may yet be well with PhotoPoint!

Michael R. Tomkins, with The Imaging Resource, at:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

ireports he has intermittently gotten through to a PhotoPoint "main
entrance page."

Perhaps they really DO only have "technical difficulties." Either
way, they certainly have MISERABLE PR people! I wish that they
would make SOME KIND of public statement, to dispel all the rumors!

 

[Joe Hawblitzel]

They had a special they emailed to certain long-time users and it had to be responded to by April 30. The email contained a coded reply so it could not be transferred, if you will recall. There were some ruffled feathers and hurt feelings. For $20 you got 25 "free" prints along with your membership. If you had more than 1000 pictures in your account you would be charged an extra $10 or so. Of course the $20 folks are feeling twice as hurt as the $10 folks right now.

Joe Hawblitzel

Jim C.

Gene,

What I think happened was that they charged a fee in order to pay
their bills that were previously outstanding. In other words,
premeditated fraud. If they become permanently offline, then this
statement will stick. If not, I will be much happier.

Of course, Photopoint is by no means alone in doing this. Several
internet-born companies do this as well. Cyberrebate.com comes to
mind. Quite a pathetic bunch of losers.

Now, I'm crossing my fingers with my credit card company if I can
get back my $20.

Jason Busch

 

[Jason Busch]

Joe,

Yep. But I suppose we are all on the same level on one aspect:

WE GOT SCREWED.

It's so nice to know I'm not alone.

Jason Busch

 

[AndrewB]

If photopoint.com did close up shop, they screwed a lot of people, not just because of the $19.95 fee. I believe some photopoint.com users were using that site to store a good number of thier digital photos, as opposed to storing them on their hard drives. If the site never comes back, those users will never see their pictures again.

It's sad isn't it, but we all lost on this one. I was willing to
pay a reasonable amount for online storage -- and I did pay it.
But if online sites really cannot make it without without charging,
then there will be no viable online sites because no consumer will
be willing to take a risk after this. Photopoint has gone down
only six weeks after charging our credit cards. Their return won't
matter much. As you say, they are done.

Joe H

John

Joe Hawblitzel

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

All may yet be well with PhotoPoint!

Michael R. Tomkins, with The Imaging Resource, at:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/995050152.html

ireports he has intermittently gotten through to a PhotoPoint "main
entrance page."

Perhaps they really DO only have "technical difficulties." Either
way, they certainly have MISERABLE PR people! I wish that they
would make SOME KIND of public statement, to dispel all the rumors!

 

[nancy Heitkamp]

Does anyone know if foto time lets you download your pictures to ebay?

John

Mike

It has been about two days since I was able to access Photopoint's
site. However, it has been over a week since I could enter their
Market Place to order pictures. I kept receiving a message stating
that the site was Under Maintenance. When I questioned when it was
expected to be back on-line, Photopoint's response was that "the
Market Place was under maintenace". Not much help!

After succumbing to their access fee, I hope they have not closed
their doors!

Larry

 

[kingdon hawes]

If photopoint.com did close up shop, they screwed a lot of people,> not just because of the $19.95 fee. I believe some photopoint.com> users were using that site to store a good number of thier digital> photos, as opposed to storing them on their hard drives. If the> site never comes back, those users will never see their pictures> again.I'm one of them. I lost over 600 photos. I was even glad to pay when they asked. TRUST......what's that ?KH