Menu
For Business Write a review File a complaint
CB Photo Services Shutterstock auto-renewal/cancellation
Shutterstock

Shutterstock review: auto-renewal/cancellation 5

Z
Author of the review
2:59 pm EDT
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Called to speak to a representative about canceling my plans: the image on demand and the $29 monthly subscription where I can download 10 images per month. The lady I spoke to on the phone was extremely rude and told me the cancellation fee was at least $120. $120 is WAY TOO MUCH MONEY to charge a cancellation fee, and exceeds the price of a $29 monthly subscription. I told her very honestly that I couldn't afford it, but thankfully I do have a job where I can earn money and I'm working minimum wage and get paid every 14 days based on the hours I worked. That lady I talked to over the phone needs to go find another job if she's going to treat her customers like this. Plus that company shouldn't be in business if they're going to charge people hundreds of dollars for a cancellation fee. It only shows they can get away with ripping off their customers. Her attitude and totally despicable that she clearly has no customer service talking to people like that and charging way more than what the average cancellation fee should be worth. I could never spend any more than $5 for a cancellation fee. This business needs to clean up their act and admit how bad they're ripping off their customers.

5 comments
Add a comment
S
S
Sam Mousa
US
Send a message
May 24, 2018 10:35 am EDT

Yes I agree.
Cancellation fee at shutterstock is ridiculous

J
J
Jason Sikes
US
Send a message
Jul 23, 2018 12:50 pm EDT

Just got "auto billed" for an annual "subscription" that I don't recall signing up for. The chat support says that I'll be getting a refund. I trust that I will. When questioned about it she told me that Shutterstock is "subscription" business like Netflix and therefore auto billing is automatic and must be de-selected during checkout. I don't recall this option. If was there, it was not obvious. This used to be called "negative option" and was illegal, might still be, illegal in the U.S. They have likely figured out a way around this with small print or something.

Regardless, beware. There are other affordable and trustworthy options. I license a lot thru http://www.123rf.com/

L
L
lrussell55
US
Send a message
Jan 30, 2019 12:34 pm EST

Did you ever get a refund? I just realised I was getting auto billed with no intention of doing so..

S
S
Shutterscam
US
Send a message
Mar 18, 2019 8:04 am EDT

I just wanted to buy 5 pictures from shutterstock and paid $51.70. I took about 2 weeks looking through images on their website until I found the 5 pictures I wanted. I downloaded the 5 pictures on [protected].

Later that day I checked my bank records and saw shutterstock had automatically taken AN ADDITIONAL $51.70 from my bank account. I didn't know that they have a stupid "auto-renewal" policy that charged me a second time for 5 additional images that I don't want! I find these kinds of business practices to be slimy and dishonest. I requested a refund via customer support e-mail. Too early to see if I'll get my money back.

Imagine if grocery stores worked this way; you pay $2.00 for a gallon of milk and they charge you and additional $2.00 for a gallon you don't want and didn't ask for! And if you foolishly pay for and take the second gallon, they "auto-renew" and charge you a third gallon and charge you an additional $2.00. It would never end, and is clearly a dishonest scam.

SHAME ON GREEDY SHUTTERSTOCK MANAGEMENT FOR WRECKING AN OTHERWISE EXCELLENT IMAGE SERVICE!

S
S
Sukaina Rashid
US
Send a message
Sep 05, 2019 3:15 pm EDT

I just called the support line due to the 3 charges of $29 that were charged in the month of June. I only have a $29 per month fee authorized. The customer service agent, Joe indicated that one of those charges was a manual download and one was an ‘auto renewal’ of the manual download. I indicated that this was completely unwarranted and I did not need an auto renewal. The agent refused to refund the amount. I asked to speak to a manager and was told one was not available. I asked to cancel my monthly subscription due to the unfair billing and was informed that this was not possible and I would have to call back otherwise would have to pay a cancellation fee. I was unaware that the billing was a commitment and was informed that this was on the purchase page that I completed years ago. The company has never sent another email indicating that there would be a renewal since then. I decided then that I did not want anything to do with shutterstock and would be willing to absorb the cancellation fee so I would not have to deal with them again.

I am amazed that a company would engage in such underhanded billing techniques and also such poor customer service. For a dispute over $29, the customer service agent forced me to cancel my subscription for the entire year and basically resulted in lost revenue per month for many years to come.

  1. Shutterstock Contacts

  2. Shutterstock phone numbers
    1300 136 849
    1300 136 849
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling 1300 136 849 phone number 6 6 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling 1300 136 849 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling 1300 136 849 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling 1300 136 849 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Australia
    8800 100 6408
    8800 100 6408
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling 8800 100 6408 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling 8800 100 6408 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling 8800 100 6408 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling 8800 100 6408 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Russia
    +1 (800) 040-1382
    +1 (800) 040-1382
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (800) 040-1382 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (800) 040-1382 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (800) 040-1382 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (800) 040-1382 phone number
    India
    +1 (866) 663-3954
    +1 (866) 663-3954
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (866) 663-3954 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (866) 663-3954 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (866) 663-3954 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (866) 663-3954 phone number
    USA & Canada
    +1 (646) 419-4452
    +1 (646) 419-4452
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (646) 419-4452 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (646) 419-4452 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (646) 419-4452 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (646) 419-4452 phone number
    International
    +44 208 068 3593
    +44 208 068 3593
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +44 208 068 3593 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +44 208 068 3593 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +44 208 068 3593 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +44 208 068 3593 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    United Kingdom
    +64 32 887 039
    +64 32 887 039
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +64 32 887 039 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +64 32 887 039 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +64 32 887 039 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +64 32 887 039 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    New Zealand
    +43 800 802 006
    +43 800 802 006
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +43 800 802 006 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +43 800 802 006 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +43 800 802 006 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +43 800 802 006 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Austria
    +32 80 026 230
    +32 80 026 230
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +32 80 026 230 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +32 80 026 230 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +32 80 026 230 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +32 80 026 230 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Belgium
    +33 186 651 418
    +33 186 651 418
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +33 186 651 418 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +33 186 651 418 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +33 186 651 418 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +33 186 651 418 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    France
    +49 800 724 5983
    +49 800 724 5983
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +49 800 724 5983 phone number 2 2 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +49 800 724 5983 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +49 800 724 5983 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +49 800 724 5983 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Germany
    +39 800 596 870
    +39 800 596 870
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +39 800 596 870 phone number 2 2 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +39 800 596 870 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +39 800 596 870 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +39 800 596 870 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Italy
    +31 208 085 151
    +31 208 085 151
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +31 208 085 151 phone number 2 2 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +31 208 085 151 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +31 208 085 151 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +31 208 085 151 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Netherlands
    +34 900 839 776
    +34 900 839 776
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +34 900 839 776 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +34 900 839 776 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +34 900 839 776 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +34 900 839 776 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Spain
    +41 800 002 684
    +41 800 002 684
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +41 800 002 684 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +41 800 002 684 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +41 800 002 684 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +41 800 002 684 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Switzerland
    +90 850 390 2820
    +90 850 390 2820
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +90 850 390 2820 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +90 850 390 2820 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +90 850 390 2820 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +90 850 390 2820 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Turkey
    +86 400 659 1231
    +86 400 659 1231
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +86 400 659 1231 phone number 2 2 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +86 400 659 1231 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +86 400 659 1231 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +86 400 659 1231 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    China
    +852 58 085 149
    +852 58 085 149
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +852 58 085 149 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +852 58 085 149 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +852 58 085 149 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +852 58 085 149 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Hong Kong
    +81 345 405 927
    +81 345 405 927
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +81 345 405 927 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +81 345 405 927 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +81 345 405 927 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +81 345 405 927 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Japan
    +65 31 638 417
    +65 31 638 417
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +65 31 638 417 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +65 31 638 417 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +65 31 638 417 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +65 31 638 417 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Singapore
    +82 808 221 327
    +82 808 221 327
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +82 808 221 327 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +82 808 221 327 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +82 808 221 327 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +82 808 221 327 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    South Korea
    +54 115 078 9715
    +54 115 078 9715
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +54 115 078 9715 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +54 115 078 9715 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +54 115 078 9715 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +54 115 078 9715 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Argentina
    +55 800 878 1022
    +55 800 878 1022
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +55 800 878 1022 phone number 2 2 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +55 800 878 1022 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +55 800 878 1022 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +55 800 878 1022 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Brazil
    +56 224 053 557
    +56 224 053 557
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +56 224 053 557 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +56 224 053 557 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +56 224 053 557 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +56 224 053 557 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Chile
    +57 800 755 0159
    +57 800 755 0159
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +57 800 755 0159 phone number 2 2 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +57 800 755 0159 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +57 800 755 0159 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +57 800 755 0159 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Colombia
    +52 155 4169 3932
    +52 155 4169 3932
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +52 155 4169 3932 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +52 155 4169 3932 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +52 155 4169 3932 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +52 155 4169 3932 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    Mexico
    +1 (212) 714-9777
    +1 (212) 714-9777
    Click up if you have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (212) 714-9777 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (212) 714-9777 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (212) 714-9777 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Shutterstock by calling +1 (212) 714-9777 phone number
    More phone numbers
  3. Shutterstock emails
  4. Shutterstock address
    350 Fifth Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, New York, 10118, United States
  5. Shutterstock social media
  6. Laura
    Checked and verified by Laura This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn more
    Dec 21, 2024
  7. View all Shutterstock contacts
Shutterstock Category
Shutterstock is ranked 2 among 59 companies in the Photo Services category