We are opening up our tents and setting up shop at ThinkGlink.com

Over the next few weeks, you’ll be able to see the new look and feel of ThinkGlink.com unfold, complete with a ThinkGlink store.

We plan to sell books (we’re even planning to give away a book for free (plus shipping and handling), as long as you sign up for the newsletter), ebooks, forms (starting out with a special Quit Claim form that real estate attorney Sam Tamkin drafted), and even advertising for the ThinkGlink site.

Yes, you’ll be able to buy a banner ad on your favorite page sooner rather than later, I hope.

But because we’ve never had a store, I had to open up a merchant account. Following my own advice, I got a few referrals, shopped around, asked a lot of questions, did some digging, found some unpleasant information about one of the companies I was going to do business with, and then started all over again.

I finally figured out who to use (we’re going through Authorize.net) and filled out the application. Today was underwriting day.

It’s been awhile since I answered questions about my credit history. You’ll be glad to know that it’s good. No fraudulent activity on the account (keep those fingers crossed!) My credit score is in the top 3 percent of the nation.

But when the underwriter asked me to recall where I lived 11 and 15 years ago, I had to think about it for a moment. It’s amazing to me that an address of a place I lived 15 years ago still pops up on my credit report. It makes me wonder why anyone thinks that information is important or relevant to my current credit history.

But they asked — and I answered. And was approved to open up Shop ThinkGlink.

I’m taking ideas for ebooks and other information to sell. Feel free to email me at Ilyce@thinkglink.com with your comments and suggestions.

And don’t forget to comment at the blog.

Published: Feb 28, 2006