ATK not paying photographers?

The easiest thing to do here for me would be to not post. My knee-jerk reaction was that readers put me in one of two categories, either the 'bro club' writing it off or the other bandwagon of people who are quick to judge. So, whether I'm understood or not is irrelevant anyway, I'm happy to share my thoughts which I feel are reasonable and balanced.

From ten thousand feet as someone who is a vendor to ATK and spent a great deal of time with Kim, with photographers that shoot for ATK, with affiliate programs that do business with ATK, with his CTO Matt, programmer Stuart, with a former employee (now competitor) and also a lot of very genuine time with Gunner... I suggest that cooler heads will prevail, absolutely.

ATK is held in high regard by so many not just because they were early in the industry, but because by all accounts that I have seen myself and be recanted second-hand they are quick to lead by example and are very principled in how they conduct business. They've earned the respect of everyone I've ever come across and personally with me in the discussions and business that we have done together.

Kim is insanely bright and genuine, very much the 'nutty professor' type. If I was asked to make an honest guess as to how there could be issues with a few out of hundreds of vendors, it would be that perhaps it's just one of those things that owners make mistakes on when they continue to insist that they do the work personally. Out of best intentions, when your business is your baby, it's often difficult to relinquish responsibilities that have always felt important in allowing you to keep a pulse on your business and stay involved. Vendor relationships are typically something that owners manage themselves and I know myself that right now I'm struggling with letting go of doing that work myself because my time is best served by exercising my talents elsewhere... and because I'm not the best at it.

I know that Kim is busy with more than one business and my post is not meant to excuse late payment. I am simply suggesting that as they do very obviously have a long standing history of growth, innovation, honest business practices - that this could simply be an instance of the 'scientist' who has been clumsy with some of the administrative details that he should have long since relinquished.

My advice to those who aren't already in communication is to simply email Gunner with your concerns and *full* contact information. I have no doubt that Gunner will organize and communicate well with you to set expectations properly for all parties and alleviate concerns. Perhaps as a result of this a refined process of standardizing invoicing, establishing finite terms or positive things will result. Growing pains can sneak up on anyone, despite best efforts, whether they are process or financial. The judge of the situation is what happens after an assessment has been done and all information gathered.

I propose ATK will respond accordingly, vendor obligations will be met and all parties will have learned something - and most continue to do business. It's hard to find good customers these days, in all verticals in our market.

Best,

Brad

...if content equals inventory...its never a good sign when a company gets behind on paying for its inventory...

Paul I understand what you are saying but you also have to weigh Kim and ATK's reputation. There are few adult companies out there that have the same reputation ATK has. Kim N. is a total straight shooter and has always chosen to sacrifice short term profitability to get long term stability. His ethics in this business are also very well known, whereas people here do not know the original poster from some Joe on the street.

ATK is not running away from a 14k bill, you can bet the house on that.

i always get my wires on time from ATK, always have.

i always get my wires on time from ATK, always have.

If you were shooting for them, I'm sure that you were sick to your stomach having to look at REAL vagina.....Either way, who gives a fuck who paid YOU?....He wants HIS money.

so what are we up to in this thread? seems like over 70K$ is owed

Lol, you're going a bit too far there Alien. Anything can happen, but ATK shutting down. There's so much content in there to fuel 10 other sites

Man.. I hope you pay an accountant to handle your finances...

blacky, i don't shoot content.. neither do you for that matter so why are you up in arms about another shooter? you take Polaroids of 2$ crackwhores so ugly that you're embarrassed to have your face associated with it.. lol did you know KFC has delivery out here? you'd shit yourself!

Still no response on the matter cept Gunner thus far?

Holy crap...

Bye ATK.
I hate when companies go out like this. I thought 14K was a piss in the bucket to ATK. Guess not.

My prediction is like this...
Gunner loses his job in a week or two ( Of course amicable no drama and low profile resignation wishing well to everyone ) then a couple months down the road ATK closes shop with webmasters freaking out and furious about not recieving money or late payments that never come...

Lol, you're going a bit too far there Alien. Anything can happen, but ATK shutting down. There's so much content in there to fuel 10 other sites

I only care about someone not getting paid......And no...I'm not like you where I can show my face with a ladyboy's cock about to be shoved into my mouth and fondling a little asian boy's balls that have been shrunk from the hormones.

Resolution has tentatively been reached.

I've been speaking with Kim and we have agreed on a payment plan - based on his word, which I'm sure he will keep after having dealt with this public posting, board situation.

I will not get into the details of the agreement as it is a private matter between the two of us. However, I sincerely hope that something can be worked out with all other photographers who have yet to be paid.

As I said to Kim, as well as to some others along the way, this was not a personal attack on him as an individual, by me, but simply a matter of BUSINESS.

I appreciate all the suport I received from GFY members throughout this thread and truly hope that the original posting helps to resolve the situation with the others affected, now that it has been brought to light.

All the best,
Russ T.

Resolution has tentatively been reached.

Great I am happy for you. I also spoke to GUNNER and GUNNER offers me to return my content. this content was shot to ATK specs so it will be hard to sell to other companies. They had 10 days after reception to check it and return but not 5 months to check content and then return to me. I have paid models, my staff of photographer, location fees, etc.

I said WELL as a GOOD WILL i will accept content you want to return for EXCHANGE not against the credit. So finally we decided to that i will speak to Kim directly and i am going to call him today and see how it goes. I hope we will settle everything as well.

I still like Kim and respect him and believe that it is misscomunication problem not act of cheating or scam. But i will know reality after speaking to KIM tonight.

Thanks everyone for support...

This is really sad
Return the content that was shot to their specifications..... Exclusively....Total BS! They ordered the content, you produced it, and they should pay, no excuses!

Well, I hope you work it out, good luck

Anyone else getting the impression they can't afford to pay?

$14,000 is coming in a payment plan and Peace is getting it sent back.

Anyone else getting the impression they can't afford to pay?

$14,000 is coming in a payment plan and Peace is getting his sent back.

14k is a lot to spend on content....especially on just one shooter....Plus they gotta pay folks like Gunner and StuartD...And all of this comes out of member subscriptions...

Their overhead has gotta be insane and the profit margins over at ATK must be razor thin....I've been doing what I do since 2000 and I might be up to that much on content and that includes paying them PLUS food, alcohol, weed, burnt fuel, etc....

Back when I lived in and was shooting girls from the neighborhood, If I tallied up my TOTAL overhead costs, then it would probably be very high....However, I chalked it up as fun and not as an expense.

AaronM came in here and said that he delivered a $5,100 package to them...What in the FUCK could possibly cost $5,100?....Seriously....They payin too much for shit over there....

even ballers lose money

Guys! I just spoke with Kim and he was very helpful. We just solved the issue by paying half and will pay the balance soon. So all good. The problems was part of my delivery where content was misplaced becuase i labled tapes in only numbers without model names . But now all have been found approved and meter solved. we both realized our errors in communication and will improve our customer service to our customers Kim and ATK his way me and ClassyContent our way. Thanks everyone for the support and help. Attention were needed to the meter and that board helped FOR REAL. So happy end. Hur ra!! Learning each ones lessons and life goes on. GUNNER was good and professional and cool. We spent on ICQ like 2 hours.. Was fun. Back to business. Peace to all GFY and FGY menagment for great FORUM...

Guys! I just spoke with Kim and he was very helpful. We just solved the issue by paying half and will pay the balance soon. So all good. The problems was part of my delivery where content was misplaced becuase i labled tapes in only numbers without model names . But now all have been found approved and meter solved. we both realized our errors in communication and will improve our customer service to our customers Kim and ATK his way me and ClassyContent our way. Thanks everyone for the support and help. Attention were needed to the meter and that board helped FOR REAL. So happy end. Hur ra!! Learning each ones lessons and life goes on. GUNNER was good and professional and cool. We spent on ICQ like 2 hours.. Was fun. Back to business. Peace to all GFY and FGY menagment for great FORUM...