Hi Mutt.
Yes I understand what you're saying about what happened 6-7 years ago. The surfer was surprised that there was porn on the Internet and took a lot less porn quality than needed today. But though the quality required has risen the price has not.
But it still comes down to the bottom line, why do you sell a set for $150 when it can sell for a lot more?
As for production levels and cash returns. Are these guys so hard up that they can't put aside one days work for non exclusive and do the rest exclusive?
As for some of the guys shooting at $75 to $100 a set, if they were half way decent don't you think I would buy from them to resell?
Those guys are largely producing crap and that does not sell today. The site owners buying it may tell the noobie affiliates it sells and throw 100s of 1,000s of hits at it a day, but the guy spending $30 a month has a little more of a clue.
But you are right about magazines and the ability of many to invest, we're able to invest $1,000 to shoot a set that will return $10,000. Because we have the steady income from all sectors we are able to invest.
But wrong about me going for the high prices and quality. Check these out.
Sets starting from $2. Do you think some of them sold a little more than 50 times?
Most custom shooters are far from making $100k a year clear.
As for ATK dominating price, seems you are right there. But why don't shooters sell via brokers, they would still make more than $150 a set? If it's any good.