Seriously?  I’ve got a yard sale coming up, so I’ve priced, tagged, sorted, taken pictures, posted pictures, written copy and posted it on Craigslist and in our local Buy Sell Bulletin.  I also emailed the local paper about placing an ad since the website only gave a phone number. 

GET THIS.  The local paper…which is actually one of several nearby newspapers, magazines, etc. replied to my email telling me that I had to CALL about placing a yard sale ad. 

Really?  It’s 2011. 

Not only did I do the normal, manual yard sale prep, I did it early so I could take and post photos…so I could include a link to the online photo gallery in the ads.

I created a free web page on weebly.com and submitted ads on Craigslist and to our local (print only) Buy Sell Bulletin….all online and all free. 

Not only does the local paper want me to CALL …during business hours… but I’d have to pay for a VERY short ad (to keep the cost reasonable), and I have to deal with phone/verbal communication…which is HORRIBLY ineffective and inaccurate for printed copy. 

REALLY?

So far, I’ve got more than a little belly ache over the paper ad.  I think I’ll forego the traditional ad in the paper and see how modern media and some road signs pay off. 

What do y’all think?  Do you still use newspaper classified ads?  Are they still as effective as other mediums?  Does your local paper have an online submission option?