Flaming another vendor is uncool and something that should never be done.
The worst part about it is it brings out the 'fans' of that other vendor (some of em who might in fact be employess of that other vendor) saying things like "I was thinking of buying from you...." (yeah, I'm sure) and the like.
I have seen the "fans" of this other vendor in action before and, to be honest, they impress me as being about the biggest creeps I have ever had the misery of seeing (notice I do not mention said other vendor by name), and I wouldn't go near that vendor with a 10 foot pole.
Hmmmm... sounds like I am flaming that other vendor but... what am I supposed to say... THAT is what I have seen.
Randy.... I have run an online game for over 10 years and I have run into ALL SORTS of unsavory types. On my game if people get profane in public and do not reform... they get locked out... and then there are the hacker types that try to break
through the lockout and using proxy servers and me putting in code... to lock out every proxy server on the face of the earth automatically if that is what it takes to keep these suckers out (they finally gave up).
So, welcome to the world of internet business! Kind of like opening a Pandora's Box of unsavory types as you can bet your bottom dollar they are out there. Yeah, it's just maybe 1% of the total customers but, they cause all the trouble.
I am not really familiar with your ticket system but you might have to go to just one ticket per order. Should be more than enough for your good customers and will keep the freaks away.
Otherwise, IMO you got a great product and a lot of us are counting on it. So, I guess you just gotta take the hit on this and move on.
If you want to increase business... you might consider opening up a full forum here on ECF. As things stand now, you are kind of like a 'best kept secret'.
Z