Show 09-17-06: Granny Jihad, India Fee Free-for-All, eBay’s Less than Big Deal, Shopping Cart Tango, Etsy Revisited, Blend Creations, Wholesale Sources

The Embroidery Software Protection Coalition (ESPC), in an effort to stem pattern piracy, issues demands for restitution from unsuspecting granny embroiderers who have purchased and sold rights protected designs at auction. The grannies retaliate on sewing boards with unkind words that the ESPC describes in legal documents as ” “terrorist activities” and accuses them of posting slanderous statements “that marched across the Internet bulletin boards and chat groups similar to Hitler’s march across Europe.”

Just what the party needed, visitors from out of town..eBay invites the entire population of India to list on the US site for only a 20 cent insertion fee. Meanwhile, despite all of the seller strikes and rumblings, the profit juggernaut keeps rolling right along. A “Big Deal” makes its debut and Woot-en you know it, its a shadow of the genuine article.

“Vicious grandmas” undertake “terrorist activities” in an effort to usurp digital rights to embroidery designs purchased at auction. Yahoo ads showing PayPal icons?…maybe yes, maybe no. A good supplier for closeouts that openly invites toll-free calls, inspection and more.

With all of the noise re setting up a stand alone e-commerce site, we thought it a good idea to investigate shopping carts…and we’ve decided on one that is not only a great value but is also heads and shoulders above the rest when it comes to flexibility, features and SEO smarts.

A product you’ve most likely never heard of that may just be the salve you need to rejuvenate you lagging sales; shea butter is the name. 6 months later we revisit Etsy and find it even better than before; wonderfully designed, compelling and imaginative products..all of which standing as an example of what a niche marketplace can achieve. Blend Creations is a simple, elegant site worthy of serious study for anyone planning to go it alone in e-commerce. We examine a site that hints at wholesale but doesn’t actually scream it and how you can develop a professional eye for suppliers your competition is overlooking.

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Links from this week’s show:

eBay’s Invitation to the 1,027,015,415 Inhabitants of India - Lacking only the comic genius of the original, eBay will soon resemble the Marx Bros. stateroom scene from “A Night at the Opera”.

eBay’s Profit Growth - Then again, the money’s good.

Ebay’s Big Deal - Just like Woot, with a the exception of cleverness and the liklihood of success…then again, the money’s good.

Grannies Wage Jihad on Infidel Software Manufacturer - Or rather, Blitzkrieg.

Yahoo / PayPal Ads - Now you seethem, now you only thought you saw them.

Via Trading - Closeouts & surplus.

Volusion.com - An excellent shopping cart solution that offers a wealth of features.

Etsy.com - A great craft site for shopping, sourcing and inspiration.

Blend Creations - An elegant e-commercedesign well worth studying.

Higgins Brothers Juggling - Customizable juggle-ables.

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