Google's competitors (indirect) need to just keep trying...eventually one of them will come up with something that is as good as adwords

I wish this program was more widely available. It's very hard to get into - they only support a few carts.

Pinterest traffic is some of the best - I hope this takes off too.

Just came across this and thought I'd toss in a completely newbie-to-Pinterest question, as I know very little about the platform....

Is there anything (except possibly wasted time) to prevent a wholesaler/ reseller/ manufacturer from using Pinterest as a test bed to explore, say, completely off-the-wall marketing to homemaker approaches?

I know of merchants in there doing exactly that. They don't share its value or specific goals, but because they have kept it up for years I would have to say they are pleased.