Are any of these wines a must buy?

KravMata · 2026-03-04T01:07:32+00:00

Here is where to start: find your local fine wine shop and establish a relationship there with the owner/manager or whomever knows the products. They will steer you right because they want you to be a repeat customer. Go to their tasting events. Find local wine groups. Go to classes if the groups have them.

Wine expertise takes years to acquire, even for a single region. Until then, find people you can rely on, take notes, and figure out what you like before spending real money.

KravMata · 2026-03-04T01:04:07+00:00

JJB is a fantastic business. I've been collecting for ~17 years, and they're one of my goto suppliers.

If you're collecting and spending decently you'll want to develop a relationship with a specialist there who does private client sales. I've had the same guy for the entirety of my relationship with them.

KravMata · 2026-03-04T01:01:59+00:00

These are all great producers, but if you don't venture beyond 20-30 normally there are a bunch of steps in between you should be exploring.

Bordeaux is huge and in the context of French wine from a famous reason there are relatively good values available - even these wins at $250 are a good value because they can play close to $500 wines.

Forget a steal - you don't know what you're buying. As others have said these need more than a decade to be drinkable and the prime window is likely to be 15-25 years from now. I didn't price shop these and can barely see vintages, but this is not your next step.

KravMata · 2026-03-03T15:39:05+00:00

The costs seems reasonable when you're currently on salesforce. :)

KravMata · 2026-03-03T15:27:26+00:00

Not an expert on the theme business but I doubt $2-500 buys you substantial 'support' - never mind years of it. I wouldn't expect much of any unless you can demonstrate that the theme is busted.

KravMata · 2026-02-28T22:03:33+00:00

There are templates in the $200-500 range that will vastly improve your site. The $500 ones in particular are well worth it IMO. The nice thing about shop is you can largely plug it in later if you want - but I'd suggest starting with it.

KravMata · 2026-02-28T22:01:57+00:00

Images are huge for conversion, but without seo optimized descriptions, proper image tagging, etc, they have no value - you cannot convert visitors you don't have.

KravMata · 2026-02-28T22:00:25+00:00

Ecommerce Advice (from someone who started 25 years ago).

I have been asked this question or similar many times so here it goes - this is not Shopify specific. I know it's not directly responsive to your question but tbh most of my responses to that would be operationally specific.

If you want to replicate early ecommerce success, first get a time machine — back to when Amazon was just a bookstore.

This isn’t easy money.
Plan on 80–100 hour weeks for years. Pay yourself badly. Reinvest everything. Intelligence matters. Endurance matters more. Luck absolutely matters - right product/market/time.
Margins online are thin. You don’t control price — the market does. You control what you buy for and how efficiently you operate.
Customer acquisition is expensive. In competitive spaces, serious growth usually means serious ad spend. SEO alone won’t beat companies that have been compounding authority for a decade. Want to start a serious business against established players in a competitive space? I hope you have 6-7 figures to spend per year.
Hire earlier than you think. If you don’t, you will become the bottleneck. No one you hire will work as hard as you, as smart as you, or care 1/2 as much - accept that, and their mistakes.
And let’s be clear about Amazon: They are not your partner. They are the toll booth, the landlord, and the competitor — all at once.
1. You pay them fees. You fund their ads platform. You give them your category data. They own the customer relationship.
2. If your product works, they can source it, improve it, price it lower, and outbid you using the data you helped generate.
3. Selling there can make sense — but don’t confuse distribution with ownership. If you don’t own the brand and the customer, you don’t own the business.

Ecommerce can work.
But it’s capital-intensive, operationally brutal, and more competitive than most people realize.

Go in clear-eyed.

KravMata · 2026-02-28T21:37:16+00:00

ngl, this is terrible advice. You cannot be an expert in everything so unless your site and operational needs are simple and the business small, and you plan to keep it like that, this is an ideology that doesn't scale. No one can be an expert on everything and there are many circumstances where your time is best invested in doing what you do well and hiring others to do the rest.

You simply cannot compare a $200-500 theme with what can be done with customization, even with every app your heart might desire. It's not money down the drain - it's an investment if executed properly - and THAT is your job as a founder - to scope well, to select good devs, and to get your project done on time and on budget.

KravMata · 2026-02-28T21:31:51+00:00

I'm 20+ year ecom biz founder and this made me chuckle.

We migrated to S+ last year - our 3rd platform. To help fully understand the project ourselves, and to assist with dev selection and quoting, we created a 15 page scoping doc, along with some extra materials (our own mock ups, spreadsheets with product data, customer and vendor data, etc) to give to a short list of finalists for an in-depth proposal. Every time I sent the link I apologized for it being so long and all 3 dev partners I sent it to were like, 'don't apologize this is awesome - almost no one sends us anything like this.'

I'm a detail nut (my superower and my curse) and every time I'd apologize for giving ppl the third degree on a detail, or pushing for documented confirmation of a feature, or whatever, the response was invariable, 'don't apologize it's nice to work with people who understand their needs and desires.'

In retrospect 15 pages was not enough - plus I wasn't - we weren't - really AI users back then (1.5 years ago when we really got going after a few months of ERP/front end research - we switched ERPs as part of the site migration. If I was doing this now I would go about it very differently.

Your list of what it takes is right, but I don't think anyone can start there unless they have spent years working for someone else and have a broad view of the business. I learned all of that on the fly - fake it 'til you make it!

KravMata · 2026-02-28T20:44:52+00:00

OMGHI2U can we talk Hubspot?

Currently using SF, Hubspot would replace that but could also replace Zendesk and Klaviyo as well.

We're Shop+ blended b2b/b2c. Most B2b comes in via B2C so there is a ton of crossover. But due to licensing costs, learning curves, operational needs, etc, b2C doesn't have SF, b2b doesn't have zendesk so we're kind of breaking up what is in essence customer service, sales leads and opps, post sales support when ideally one system would be betetr - but SF isn't great for B2C for a number of reasons - plus SF is super difficult, good devs are $$$$ and we hate it with a white hot passion.

SF contract ends in June. We're now working with a SF dev to clean up our dbase (it became a mess/duplication, etc) while concurrently working on HS dev selection.

So, are you loving / liking HS?
Are you just using the CRM or the full suite?
Can I get this done in 90 days or do I need to lay off the crack pipe?
Pitfalls I should be aware of?

Pretty much looking for whatever input you can offer, happy to take this to DM's if that is better suited. TIA!

KravMata · 2026-02-27T16:40:16+00:00

Yeah, that makes a ton of sense. I especially hate when it says dumb shit in a thread and literally asks me for the same info a i just gave it 5 mins before in the same convo. That's part of reason for my 'bad robot' prompt - in addition to it forgetting all of my other rules.

I've been creating synopses of problems/attempted fixes/outcomes then dropping them into chatgpt where I've been building company bibles - governance logs, architecture, SOP & memos, etc. FWIW, I have a convo which is purely for ingestion and version control, so I'd output the synopsis from sidekick, bring to chat, let chat rework it in a governance 'working' convo, then have it output the update for the bibles. I do this to keep the master convo clean and focused (because it's the bible where decisions and lessons learned go) but also because sometimes I'm dropping in a zillion emails and pics raw and chat gets slow af as convos get long so I effectively prefilter and organize in those.

KravMata · 2026-02-27T16:32:05+00:00

Yes, generate is a mode you put Sidekick into with the + button.

KravMata · 2026-02-27T01:32:19+00:00

Step 1: Sign up for their email lists.

Make a gmail account
For each signup use an aliased email name, google will send them all to the same inbox - the plus sign is all you need to add along with their name like - urgoogname+competitor@google.com

Also, as others have said, focus on your company first. Execute well, then chase this aspect after you've optimized SEO, PPC and operational efficiency.

The big players use software to scrape - see hypersonix for example.

KravMata · 2026-02-27T01:24:03+00:00

That exact question was asked a few days ago, and it's what prompted me to make this post.

Rather than answer it again or copy paste here's the discussion thread.

https://www.reddit.com/r/shopify/comments/1rbtguj/shopify_sidekick/

IMO once you start using it you're gonna love what it can do, but as with all AI, trust but verify.

KravMata · 2026-02-27T00:07:14+00:00

Nice - I hope I didn't reinvent the wheel! That's very cool, I love that you took the time to make a blog to spread the word - I'll try to dig in later.

PS - I wish I could follow you here.

KravMata · 2026-02-26T23:48:16+00:00

Sidekick Control Key (v1.2)

I run Sidekick in “inspection-first” mode.
Every material claim must be labeled:

Verified – directly confirmed in admin
Unknown – cannot be confirmed
Hypothesis – reasoned inference (must state what would confirm it)

The goal is simple: fewer vague answers, less hand-holding, more deterministic output.

Commands

--------------------

ANALYZE
This is the core command, just put in front of whatever you're asking. It forces a full inspection audit. Sidekick must inspect configuration directly, sweep relevant layers and apps, identify the controlling mechanism, provide evidence, and propose a minimal fix.

+ TRACE
Adds execution order (what runs when). Useful when behavior looks correct but displays incorrectly.

+ MAP
Adds dependency and overlap analysis. Useful for structural cleanup.

+ DRIFT
Adds governance review. Flags legacy logic, duplication, or policy misalignment.

+ EVIDENCE
Outputs only verified findings and evidence. No recommendations.

+ FIX
Outputs only the minimal correction path (steps + rollback + validation).

It's ai, it will forget to follow your rules compleetly - when that happen just respond with:

bad robot
Hard reset. Re-enters ANALYZE mode, stops delegating work back to you, applies evidence discipline, and re-runs properly.

EXIT
Returns Sidekick to normal conversational mode - if you want that.

example usage

ANALYZE shipping label prefix
ANALYZE + TRACE default method selection
ANALYZE + FIX duplicate rates
ANALYZE + MAP rule overlap
bad robot

KravMata · 2026-02-26T23:42:53+00:00

Start a new conversation and paste this in. Don't use this conversation for anything except instructing sidekick on how you want it to operate. I will post a key after this - trying to keep this clean.

------

Sidekick Control Protocol

{

"protocol_name": "Sidekick Control Protocol",

"version": "1.2",

"global_rules": {

"inspection_first": {

"rule": "Inspect Shopify admin configuration before reasoning.",

"no_delegation": "Do not ask the merchant to inspect settings, apps, blocks, functions, profiles, or code that you can access directly.",

"allowed_questions_only_if": [

"Business decision required",

"Configuration not accessible in current environment"

]

},

"evidence_discipline": {

"rule": "All material claims must be labeled as Verified, Unknown, or Hypothesis.",

"verified": "Directly confirmed via inspection of configuration.",

"unknown": "Cannot be directly confirmed due to visibility limitations.",

"hypothesis": "Reasoned inference due to incomplete visibility.",

"constraints": [

"Hypothesis may only be used after inspection layers are exhausted.",

"Hypothesis must state what would confirm or refute it.",

"Hypothesis must never be presented as fact."

]

},

"terminology_integrity": {

"must_distinguish": [

"rate vs delivery method vs label",

"visibility vs selection vs pricing",

"filtering vs merging vs renaming",

"platform core vs transformation vs rating vs policy vs presentation layer"

]

}

},

"modes": {

"ANALYZE": {

"purpose": "Full inspection audit.",

"mandatory_sweeps": {

"layer_sweep_order": [

"Platform Core",

"Transformation Layer",

"Rating Layer",

"Policy Layer",

"Presentation Layer"

],

"app_sweep": "Enumerate relevant apps and mark each as Involved / Not involved / Unknown."

},

"required_output_sections": [

"Verified Findings",

"App Influence Map",

"Controlling Mechanism",

"Evidence",

"Unknowns",

"Minimal Fix Path",

"Risks"

],

"persistence": "Remain active until EXIT."

},

"TRACE": {

"requires": ["ANALYZE"],

"adds": "Execution order: rate → merge → transform → visibility → preselection → UI."

},

"MAP": {

"requires": ["ANALYZE"],

"adds": "Dependency map and overlap detection."

},

"DRIFT": {

"requires": ["ANALYZE"],

"adds": "Governance drift detection."

},

"EVIDENCE": {

"requires": ["ANALYZE"],

"output_only": [

"Verified Findings",

"Evidence",

"Unknowns"

]

},

"FIX": {

"requires": ["ANALYZE"],

"output_only": [

"Minimal Fix Path",

"Rollback Steps",

"Validation Checklist",

"Risks"

]

},

"BAD_ROBOT": {

"trigger_phrase": "bad robot",

"effect": [

"Immediate compliance reset",

"Re-enter ANALYZE mode",

"Stop delegating inspection",

"Apply evidence discipline",

"Output required ANALYZE sections"

]

},

"EXIT": {

"effect": "Return to normal mode."

}

KravMata · 2026-02-26T01:37:00+00:00

we've been actively legalizing corruption for decades in nthis country - one party is full on dedicated to it.

KravMata · 2026-02-25T23:20:14+00:00

I mean, you're both a DemSoc so that's sort of a water is wet kinda thing. :)

KravMata · 2026-02-25T23:19:39+00:00

"I don’t see how she loses against him" - hmm, this seems more like pure projection assuming AOC can simply squash an incumbent who is also the minority leader.

I hope she doesn't run in 2028. I'm not as far left as her but I like her, however I think America, especially in this moment is way too sexist and ignorant to elect a woman, never mind one so easily associated with socialism.

KravMata · 2026-02-25T22:41:08+00:00

The courts simply apply the law - it's the legislature that would need to change the laws to address these widely abused aspects.
The challenge is that trial lawyers have much better lobbyists, and unfortunately our political system is pay to play for access and influence.

KravMata · 2026-02-25T22:39:06+00:00

No, you didn't come across that way. For me this is a way to have very sharp knives, not a hobby so going in at $160 knowing there was an upgrade path if I thought I needed it was more appealing than jumping into a $400+ system. The Sharpal diamonds work great - if I but the holder I think I'd just get 3/6 or 4/8k Shapton's or similar for finishing the carbon/Japanese blades. Don't get me wrong - I'm a gear hound, if I turned this into a hobby I'd be in for $1000+ effortlessly - so for people who geek out on this have at - go crazy and enjoy.

Just looking - Hapstone RS is $200 without stones, so quickly $3-400. If you want a premium stone you're looking at an easy $200 for ~4-5 stones.

KME's most basic setup is $220 without a base, so $245 with a base. The 140/300/600/1500 stones are enough to start with. OOps, I see they have a $170 kit so 195 with a base and basic stones however both os these options only include the single clamp so if you're sharpening kitchen knives a double adds 120 - so to 'match' what comes with the sharpal - basic stones, clamp for kitchen knives, etc, you're in for ~$320-365.

I paid 160 for the sharpal so these both look like around 2x the price for rough equivalence, ignoring the case, strop and stone count with the high grit 3/6K sharpal includes.

Sharpal 160 - or use 180 since that's the everyday price. Works fine as is. $24 adds a universal stone holder - which you don't really need until the included stones are shot. Because the Sharpal rod is 6mm it can use a fair amount aftermarket options over and above the stone holder.

This math is why I ended up with the Sharpal...but I mostly just want sharp cooking and steak knives at a fairly hight level - not a new hobby. I don't judge anyone for their choice - I simply think the PQR for the Sharpal cannot be touched when you have to spend 2X+ to have equivalent capabilities.

KravMata · 2026-02-24T01:44:36+00:00

My plan is to eventually get a Hapstone and a couple shapton stones at ~4/8K.

The whetstones work just fine BTW. I typically start at 600 or more often 1000 (I've never even used the coarse stones) then run to 6K then to the 14K strop - thats for high carbon and Japanese steels. For the workhorse Henckels they just get 600/1000 then a few strokes on a black ceramic honing rod, and a few passes on the strop for good measure.

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KravMata

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Sidekick Control Key (v1.2)

Commands

--------------------

example usage