       array.push(skudata)
     if emptyspecs
       if (num_tries < 2) then show_comparison_window(num_tries + 1) # try 3 times to get the data, then give up
-      alert ('Failed: '+(num_tries+1)+' try/tries')
+                                                                    # this implies a total failure for some inexplicable reason,
+                                                                    # or that there are no specs to find
       $(".togglespecs").hide()
-    else
-      alert ('Succeeded: '+(num_tries+1)+' try/tries')
+    #else
+    #  alert ('Tried '+(num_tries+1)+' time(s)') ####### Uncomment this to see how many tries it takes a product to succeed #######
     grouped_specs = merge_bb_json.apply(null,array)
     #Set up Headers
     for sku,index in skus

  
  #Build spec matrix from API data
  buildComparisonMatrix = (num_tries = 0)->
    skus = $('#basic_matrix').attr('data-skus').split(',')
    anchor = $('#hideable_matrix')
    # Build up the direct comparison table. Similar method to views/direct_comparison/index.html.erb

      $('.nav_clear_btn:visible').hide()
  
  show_comparison_window = (num_tries = 0)->
    # num_tries refers to the number of times the page has tried to refresh the compare window due to failed spec searches. Defaults to 0 unless overridden by the refresh call in buildComparisonMatrix()
    skus = optemo_module.readAllCookieValues(optemo_module.cmpcookie)
    width = undefined

