interesting thread indeed, how did I miss this one!

Quote Originally Posted by grynge View Post
This is something I do on a regular basis, I search for companies and then check their websites for ways to beat them not all companies can be outranked for their products but here in Australia the majority can. I either use one of my companies or set up something so I can purchase their products, I get written permission to use their pictures/catalogues (this is an important step in the selling process) I then set about growing the website and once I start out ranking them I start about convincing them to purchase the site (as I am already in contact with them purchasing products and if I am not making enough from the site) The thing with this is you need a fairly large company that won't go under while your site is growing. I once setup one for a smallish blind company that went under just as I overtook them in the rankings.

This does take time and you do need to spend a little on links and such but it is a profitable business model.
I'm very curious, what are these companies usually willing to pay for such site? What about any potential legal problems? Assuming you try to rank for their company or product name, so they can claim you're trying to make money off their brand.