bringsome.com is a lovely idea. It challenges the traditional retail model - and fits perfectly into the YouTube/facebook/flickr concept, bringing people together for free with the hope of rich rewards for their founders later. It belongs firmly in the realm of what Andy Hobsbawm has called "the geography of passion".
The site hopes to create a loose-knit social network of people who are willing (for a small commission or just for the hope of a grateful thank you) to "bring some" over for others. So if you live in Outer Mongolia and have a penchant for Marmite or Earl Grey tea bags, this may be just the site for you.
The focus on niche goods that are only available locally is a refreshing break from the homogeneity of Big Global Brands. There's also a lovely sense of romance - tales of far flung places; the journey your coveted pot of Marmite made across the globe.
The site raises a few interesting questions, not least the thought of Customs and Excise wanting their pound of flesh if it grows big enough. Like the rights issues that have given the music station Pandora such a headache in recent weeks. Some Second Lifers have made a career of trading in the online virtual world. Those legal eagles will have to keep up!
bringsome.com is all provided for free (they ask gently for a donation and include a smattering of unobtrusive ads). Presumably they'll look to go the way of YouTube if it takes off - selling it and its inhabitants on for a cool million or two. Watch this space.