Regarding the transparency issue. I think that that is just another setting I need to add but I need to look at the TimThumb documents.

Hmmm, the no product image thing. Again not sure but what happens if you try using a .jgp immage for this? What I am guessing is that it it an issue with gif images? If the world was under my control I would flush gif images out the waste disposal chute, but that is just me And I do know that people get gif images from their suppliers, so do not always have control.