Cross browser compatibility is always a bit of a pain, I have consdered making a very basic saite that you get diverted to if you use Nutscrape. All MS phobias aside, I don't fully understand non IE users, as it is a cracking browser when all said and done.
There does seem to be some laginess, and aside from the items being preloaded on the thumbnail pages, I'm unclear as to what may cause it. Is there a reliable way of preloading ALL images fro the site on a specific page? (skippable by the visitor if desired)
I will look at adding colour, but not sure how best to add colour to fit in with the design, but it does need it really.
Agreed on the flash thing, but I have zero knowledge of flash at this time, so thats is a bit of a handicap
Anyway, keep testing people, and thanks for the replies so far
Cheers!