The object should be created in the include file. The error implies the eCart object is not properly created, but I'm not sure how that could happen as long as you have the entire WA_eCart folder uploaded properly.
The code looks correct that you provided, and I'm not sure of your theory on a phantom glitch... no such thing as far as I know of. The problem has to be that the eCart include files were not uploaded properly... are there any other errors associated with the page in that log file you found?
Did this help? Tips are appreciated...
