Wired For Noise

If you’ve noticed the Shop link up there in the header menu then you know that I’ve been trying to set up my own little shop to sell my jewelry. I started out planning to set up on Etsy, but soon found that they require a credit card. So that ended that idea. Though, setting up my own shop is pretty daunting too. Right now I’m trying to leap the hurdle of finding a good shopping cart or shopping cart software.

I found a few sites and services that offer free ecommerce software, but of course free often means no control in how it looks or very limited functions. After lots of headaches I got over my issues with emailing people I don’t know and fired off some emails to a few people that sell things from their own sites. Most use the free shopping cart software provided by their hosting or they use the free ecommerce software sites that I’ve already found. Or they skip all of that and just do it the old fashioned way of “email me your order and I’ll send you a PayPal bill”.

One woman did respond that she uses the Ashop Commerce shopping cart. She told me that I should at least sign up now as they are offering a free 10 day trial of their software. I don’t know, they do look pretty good. They offer a fully customizable storefront that the free sites don’t offer, and lots of tech support and daily backups. And honestly, compared to some of the other shopping cart sites that I looked at the price is pretty good. I just doubt that I’ll be able to sell enough jewelry to pay for it. 

I’d love to hear any suggestions. If you sell your wares what are you using? Do you think I should go with free ecommerce software or try the paid guys?  

Tags: shopping cart software, ecommerce software, selling things online, online store, Ashop Commerce

Dearest’s dad just got a brand new truck with an XM stereo. Needless to say the music lover in my life is stumbling over himself with envy. Oh he wants one so badly, so very very badly. Right up until I remind him that you also have to pay for the service each month, then it’s not as attractive anymore. Now instead he’s talking about getting an HD Radio Receiver around tax time.

It’s like the HD TV that everyone wants now, but for radio frequencies. It is supposed to provide a clearer, cleaner quality from the local radio stations. And its free. You buy the receiver, install it, then enjoy. There is also an iPod dock with iTunes Tagging that you can get. Ask me if I think we need it. But Mr. 50 Billion CDs and still not enough says he needs more music listening options. He’s already checked out the find an HD digital radio station page and announced that several of his favorites are there.

Does anyone else have one of these? Are they as great as he says they are? Is anyone else thinking of getting one? I’d love to hear more about it, though I’m pretty sure his mind is made up already.