http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo SomethingStore is a fun new website that works simply: We will send the customer something, an item that is selected randomly from many things in our inventory and the customer will only find out what it is when they receive it. Our intention is make this a fun shopping game that people can play themselves or surprise their friends with. We decided to start with a $10 price, including shipping, to showcase our idea to a wide range of internet users. Our website is currently live and we have already sold close 5,000 'somethings' in the last several months we have been operating. Our site traffic is improving steadily and the reviews have been encouraging. http://www.SomethingStore.com If you think your process or technology may be patentable you should just file a provisional patent, they cost about $100 and will give you a year to think about the proprietary rights you may be able to protect. Pretty well explained here: http://inventors.about.com/od/provisionalpatent/a/Provisional_Pat.htm Thu, 15 May 2008 13:31:33 -0500 advice http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#advice1964 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#advice1964 i think this idea has definite potential... but it's vague. the surprise itself is great, but wouldn't it also be great to love your something, whatever it is? people love the idea of custom design.. anything, as long as it's personalized. so perhaps you should invite customers to take a "somethings interview" with personal/quirky questions or puzzles to help you select their "random "special something that "you know they'll love." this reminds me of the old bazaar fishing games, where someone behind a curtain picked out what you'd catch :) also, i don't know what your inventory is like, but i would suggest finding unique but useful items, like... penguin cufflinks or a book on how to cure a cold with jello and duct tape (??ha??). fun, quality (aka not out of a cracker jack box) items that you can't find at your local mall. there's my 2 cents :) Wed, 14 May 2008 14:14:26 -0500 advice http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#advice1932 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#advice1932 Do you think this idea is patentable? Should we try to do it? Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:45:34 -0500 challenge http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#challenge1563 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#challenge1563 This is a great idea! I think it would be great if the user could select a category of their "something", such as electronic gadgets, sports, etc. This way people are still receiving a random "something", however they are receiving a random "something" with a high probability of having it be something they will enjoy! Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:42:32 -0500 advice http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#advice1707 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#advice1707 One thing you might try -- if you haven't already -- is to have seasonal offerings. For example, have some "somethings" for Mothers day. This can be a way to get people more interested in trying your web service. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:02:10 -0500 advice http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#advice1704 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#advice1704 Our main challenge is to convince people to be adventurous enough to give it a try. We are offering actual customer reviews and testimonials on our website, and we would appreciate any pointers in this area. Sun, 27 Apr 2008 02:57:39 -0500 challenge http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#challenge1545 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/2147-SomethingStore-com-Surprise-Yo#challenge1545