Done the way you propose the second dimension attribute takes on a name, and that name gets passed to the viewcart.asp product description and beyond.

Say you name the 1st option "weight" and the 2nd option "qty".  And to be specific here, we are only adding that 2nd option to accomodate the needs of a grid.  It needs, as we are discussing, 2 dimensions even if that results in a single column of quantity input form fields.

So in this example http://tinyurl.com/4z2w6z we have sizes (weights) down the left, and the qty input boxes adjacent to it.  That's great until we get to the viewcart.asp page and we get "Solid Hex Dumbbells (1lb - Qty)" in the product description.  The reference to "Qty" looks awful, and will be carried forward throughout the system:  order confirmation, checkout, order history, invoice, and so on...

I'm open to suggestions. Further ideas on how to overcome that obstacle?

Interesting idea Hamish, and thanks for the kind words.  Not quite sure if the matrix will work for this however.

The key to the matrix is that you would have (for example) color and size attributes as shown in this example.
http://www.buygolfshirts.net/store/pc/PCMXviewPrd.asp?idcate gory=&idproduct=170370

Could be differently named attributes, but there still needs to be two dimensions to the grid.  And thinking about this merchant's products, I'm not so sure there are two dimensions.  Just different size weight plates or dumbells as the OP suggested.

http://www.mainefitness.net/shop/productcart/pc/viewCategori es.asp?idCategory=30

I'd need to know more before proposing my mod as a solution, as much as I would like to see it in further use.  But the matrix is not intended to be used in an instance where only one dimension works.

sdalan is correct, however, in stating that the Apparel mod supports individual shipping weights per subproduct.  Great catch sdalan.

mainefitness, am I correct in my belief that these products would only have a single product option, as opposed to a 2-dimensional set of options like color/size on clothing?

A revision of the matrix to support a single dimemsion is possible, and would potentially be a great interface for merchants selling products where the shopper would want to select multiple sizes of that same item, such as these weight products.  It's just a matter of budget in that case, and whether it's worth it to the merchant to upgrade to the Apparel mod, my mod, plus revisions.

This was posted earlier this week.  Does that help?
http://www.earlyimpact.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1564&am p;PN=1