It's pretty unrealistic to post a business idea on a public board and then expect to have exclusive rights to sell anything and everything having to do with that business idea.

The question is: What was your intent in posting the business idea? Was it:

A. To freely share the idea with others on the board?

If so, then (this being a community of people who freely share business ideas) it is not unrealistic to expect others to attempt to contribute to that idea.

At least that's what MY intent was in my post below. I saw a few people trying to make a go of it, and I thought, "Well, by golly, I know something that might help them out."

Apparently, this somehow translated to "Hugh's trying to put me out of business!" in your mind (which, I think all will agree, does work in rather wonderous ways).

The flyers I described in my post worked great for me (and others I know). I simply wanted to share an inexpensive, successful method of advertising, and that's all there was to it.

It's very incorrect to believe that I, or anyone else on this board puts up a post with the sole purpose of depriving Don Alm of the right to make a living. (That's actually quite a stretch.)

Again, Don, what was your intent in posting the business idea? Was it:

B. To sell it to those who frequent the board?

From your post above, "B" seems to have been your intent all along.

Well, if that's the case, then I agree with Boyd. You should ADVERTISE your next business idea, rather than posting it on a public board and crying foul when others attempt to add their two cents to the idea.

Once the cat's out of the bag, it's practically impossible to supress people who want to help others become more successful.

It appears to me, Don, that you made the right decision.

---- Hugh