It had to happen, spammers are trying to add UPC spam to ShopSavvy via Google Base. Scan Kleenex and get an iron (or worse). We hope that these sort of ‘fake’ results for scanned items are an anomaly, but they have our attention. Scores of local and online retailers have contacted us about getting ‘on’ ShopSavvy. We settled on Google Base as the standard way smaller online or local retailers could get their items on ShopSavvy. I wrote about it here: How to get your items on ShopSavvy. The good news ANYONE can get their items to show up as online or local results, the bad news is that ANYONE can add anything to Google Base. The openness of the platform means that it is open to spammers and jokesters.
We are in the process of creating what amounts to a spam filter for UPC data. The system will be fairly simple allowing for a white list (trusted retailers who use Google Base), a grey list (retailers who use Google Base, meeting a certain set of electronic data criteria we develop) and a black list (retailers who don’t meet our criteria or those we KNOW are bad actors). So instead of working on cool new features this month, we will be fighting the SPAMMERS! Again, thanks for the feedback…
We thought it might make sense to take the ShopSavvy conversation to a more social venue and Facebook seemed like the obvious choice. Feel free to join the ShopSavvy group on Facebook today!
We made the local news last night here in Dallas. Check out the video here.
We had assumed there would be an iPhone version of ShopSavvy in the App store long ago. Our assumptions were wrong. While ShopSavvy has not be rejected, it hasn’t been accepted. After weeks and weeks of waiting, our current plan is to pull the current version from consideration and upload a new version next week (in line with our new Android version 3.0. I am not exactly sure why Apple would resist inclusion of ShopSavvy in their store, but I wonder if it has something to do with our relationship with T-Mobile and Google. Of course the iPhone camera simply doesn’t compare with the variable focal length camer on the G1. This means ShopSavvy’s live scanning feature doesn’t translate to the iPhone. Does anyone have any ideas? How can we get Apple to give ShopSavvy a chance on the iPhone?
Scott Baradell just did an interview with the Toledo Blade on ShopSavvy.
Hallmark, in a surprising response has declined to hold even a single discussion with us regarding ShopSavvy. We reached out to several folks from Hallmark over the past three weeks and finally got a response from Rebecca Smith in the retail merchandising group in Kansas City. Her response: WE DECLINE!
We couldn’t believe it. Really? It is not like we are part of the Axis of Evil - we just wanted to talk about ways we might be able to work together. Interestingly a large number of barcode scans we have seen have been for Hallmark products - there must be a way we could help them.
Open Message to Hallmark: We are not your enemy. We want to be your ally. Our goal is the same as yours, to serve the consumer. Please give us a chance. Maybe a 15 minute phone call? An email exchange? A meeting?
Another nice mention of ShopSavvy on Architosh last night. Thanks Anthony!
Bonus! My favorite feature on the iPhone (visual voicemail) is coming to the G1. Reall all about it here.
Looking for a great deal on that X-rated DVD you have been waiting for? If so, ShopSavvy might not be your best source for pricing and reviews. We are making an effort to block pornographic items from ShopSavvy (we won’t guarantee you won’t receive pricing and review data on all pornographic items). We certainly have no problem with people who choose to purchase porn, we just don’t want to be involved. Hopefully you can respect our decision as we respect your right to buy whatever you choose.
Users of ShopSavvy have been busy, scanning more than 1,000,000 items in the last three weeks. How long will it take us to get to 2,000,000 barcode scans?
That statement comes from Brad Anderson the CEO of Best Buy. In a statement covered by Larry Dignan he explained,
“Since mid-September, rapid, seismic changes in consumer behavior have created the most difficult climate we’ve ever seen. Best Buy simply can’t adjust fast enough to maintain our earnings momentum for this year. We’re beginning to adjust our cost structure to restore earnings momentum and still gain market share. We firmly believe that our strategy of customer centricity is of great value in driving our performance versus the industry, and that’s the strategy we plan to pursue to continue to strengthen our position in the marketplace.”
Brian Dunn the COO of Best Buy continued,
“In 42 years of retailing, we’ve never seen such difficult times for the consumer. People are making dramatic changes in how much they spend, and we’re not immune from those forces.”
First, let me assure you - we did not pay Ryan for this review. Last night around 3:44AM (don’t ask), I was alerted to a new article on ShopSavvy and found my way to Ryan’s post titled, “G1 ShopSavvy Application Just Blew My Mind“. Promising title I thought. I had no idea how awesome the rest of the article would be. I don’t think I can do it justice (i.e. you are going to have to go read it for yourself), but here are a few of the most memorable quotes:
Ryan, we bow to you! Thank you for your passionate review. Send us your address and we will send you something befitting someone of your intelligence and wisdom! (no kidding, email amuse@biggu.com).
ShopSavvy Coverage -
